Abby asked Barbara Nielsen, Freeport-McMoRan Inc.

AddedThursday, January 11, 2018 at 8:52 AM

What really made you fall in love with engineering was it like a spontaneous thing? or have you always wanted to be one?

  • Barbara Nielsen , Freeport-McMoRan Inc.
    Answered Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at 6:11 AM
    Actually, I originally went to college on a basketball scholarship and it just happened to be a top rated engineering school and local.  At first I thought I wanted to go into Computer Science, but quickly changed my mind after taking an elective, Introduction to Geology.  At that point I had to decide if I wanted to be a Geologist or a Geological Engineer.  That choice was not difficult at all, because the opportunities for a Geological Engineer are much more than for those of a Geologist.  In addition, the pay was and still is substantially more for an engineer and I wanted to position myself for success.  I have been working as an engineer for over 32 years now.  The best advice I could give you is too determine what it is you like and proceed from there.  If you are considering engineering, I would suggest that you take every math and science course available to you during your high school years.