Mentor Blogs

It is not uncommon for the extraordinary to quickly become the ordinary. Consider cell phones, tablet computers (or just computers in general), hybrid cars, heart transplants, drone aircraft, digital cameras, Amazon.com, Facebook…the list is long and varied. Most of these are considered “ordinary” by today’s standards, but each was little more than an idea in someone’s … Read More

physics, engineering

Whether your company creates airplanes, cars, widgets, or software, product planning is an essential part of the development process. And if your group is like mine, product planning meetings are seldom boring. I am privileged to work with some pretty sharp folks who are very capable engineers, and very passionate about what they do. Our planning discussions are always interesting, and often animated. … Read More

engineering

STEM jobs are essential to growth in America, says United States Commerce Secretary Gary Locke in his blog (http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/07/14/stem-jobs-help-america-win-future). “Unfortunately, many U.S. businesses have frequently voiced concerns over the supply and availability of STEM workers. Companies operating on the forefront of technological innovation need more of them.” Major players … Read More

Mentor, Math, Mentor Graphics, COTS, science, STEM, Technology, Aerospace, Mentor.com, Gary Locke, Mil-Aero, Hardware, Milaero, Embedded Systems, Military, engineering

Many big businesses, including those in the mil/aero market, are rallying behind government organizations to help advance STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education and to inspire current and future generations of students to pursue occupations in valuable STEM fields. The STEM Education Coalition (http://www.stemedcoalition.org/) is working “aggressively to raise awareness about the … Read More

Milaero, Mil-Aero, President Obama, engineering, Gary Locke, Aerospace, Mentor, science, STEM, Mentor Graphics, Geek, Technology, Math, United States Commerce Secretary Gary Locke

There are times in each of our lives when preparation and opportunity come together in a single moment for once in a lifetime experiences. Then there are times when dumb luck rules the day but produces the same result. I would like to say that I am regularly prepared to open the door when opportunity knocks, but more often than not I stumble into worthwhile opportunities, some of which truly are once … Read More

space program, engineering

Wanted: Engineers. Military and aerospace are among many industries concerned about the future availability of skilled workers. This challenge of ensuring a skilled workforce well into the future of the U.S. is ever-present in the minds of many people—heads of technology firms (especially in the mil/aero realm), higher-education faculty, scientists and researchers, economists, patriots, heads of state, … Read More

Mentor, Hardware, Mentor Graphics, Technology, Electric, Obama, electrical, President Obama, science, and math, STEM, Mentor.com, engineering, Mil-Aero, Geek, Milaero, Electronic, Military, Engineer

It’s college season in my home. My oldest son is soon off to medical school. My younger son just graduated from high school and will be off to college by summer’s end. It’s an exciting time to see your kids make decisions about their field of study and, ultimately, their profession and future. My oldest son majored in Biology to prepare himself for medical school. He enjoys science, as does my younger … Read More

science, engineering

I was having a good ol’ chat with one of my friends about social media. Back in the day when we both went to school, social media wasn’t even a twinkle in someone’s eye. Gathering data was hard work — you had to physically go to the library to look-up information (gasp, shock, horror). If you wanted to wish someone a happy birthday you had to either pick up the phone or send them a card via snail mail. … Read More

social media, engineering