How a TI Calculator Helped Launch an Engineering Career at TI
In honor of National Engineers Week (Feb. 16–22), a week dedicated to increasing understanding of, and interest in, engineering and technology careers, I wanted to share how my love for my Texas Instruments (TI) graphing calculator in high school helped to launch an engineering career at TI.
From 2+2=4, graphing y=mx+b and solving complex integrals/derivatives, my TI graphing calculator and I have been through a lot together. (I even posed with it in my graduation photos!) From using the TI-36X Pro scientific calculator and TI-84 Plus graphing calculator, to my favorite, the TI-Nspire™ CX graphing calculator, it is truly an amazing opportunity to work for the company providing this amazing technology that helps students across the world learn and visualize the complexity of math and how it applies to the real world.
I was originally introduced to the TI-Nspire™ CX graphing calculator at the high school I attended in Sugarland, Texas. I was instantly captivated by the LED backlit screen and graphing capabilities. To simply type in an equation and have the visual in seconds, it made pre-calculus and calculus so much easier to understand. From conics to quadratics, the options were endless.
Starting my career in electrical engineering at Texas A&M University, I had a lot of challenging classes, but the TI-Nspire™ CX graphing calculator helped me through it all. I was amazed by the capability of graphing/solving Fourier transforms and Bode Plots. Circuit Theory and Electronics were difficult courses, but when using the TI-Nspire™ CX graphing calculator, multivariable equations were easier to solve by using the unique functions on the graphing calculator. I was getting answers to complex problems within minutes.
I still continue to solve power equations using my TI-Nspire™ CX graphing calculator to determine proper voltage/amperage for various tools for the fab, and I use it for cost/energy savings projects. Having such a useful tool truly makes a difference in my day-to-day activities at Texas Instruments, and I’m fortunate that I’ve been able to use it since high school.
My advice to teachers hoping to spark an engineering interest in their students: Continue to find creative and innovative ways to engage your students in STEM fields, and give real-world examples on how critical problem-solving skills can be used in the industry.
In the spirit of EWeek, I just wanted to say: Thanks for everything, @TICalculators!
About the author: Shreya Mandal is an Electrical System Engineer at Texas Instruments and a graduate of Texas A&M University. She joined TI in 2018 and is currently responsible for the electrical design, electrical maintenance, project management, capacity/demand and power distribution for the DFAB/South Building at TI headquarters.
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