Professional Self-Assessment Report
ECE 480 - Fall 2008
Eric Tarkleson
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Table of Contents
Course and Learning objectives……. pg. 3
Technical papers…………………….pg. 5
Career Plans…………………………pg. 6
Appendix…………………………… pg. 8
Resume………………………….....pg. 8
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Professional Self-Assessment Report
How have I satisfied the learning objectives in this course and
contributed to team and course outcomes?
Preparing an engineering design proposal
My team wrote a clear and concise paper that outlined the issues involved in
implementing a solar powered internetted multi-seated computer system. We used this
proposal as we continued work on our project. I helped to write and format this paper and
I feel it is an accurate, professional document that helped me to realize the goals of this
project.
Sharing in the day-to-day design activities and management of the project
My team excelled at working together towards completion of this project. I helped
to manage the ordering of equipment and components and also helped to organize the
piecing together of the many different aspects of the project. When necessary I arranged
meetings and helped the other team members with problems they were having.
Sharing in the presentation of oral and written reports
My team and I were successful in our presentations. We all had prior experience
in front of crowds and we were comfortable sharing our thoughts with the rest of the
class. A week before the presentation either Jakub or I would split up the objectives for
us all to work on. Then a few days before the presentation one of us would volunteer to
format the presentation and compile it so that everything flowed well. For written reports
we used the same process and also allowed time for us to make a final pass-through of
the papers.
Sharing in the demonstration of results at key milestones during the project
I feel that our project went through several key phases during the semester. After
we accomplished a milestone we would discuss what the next step was. Meeting together,
in person, helped us to communicate effectively. We often had different feelings about
certain aspects of the project but our sharing and demonstration helped us to come up
with the best solution for our project.
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Describe various reasons for using technical communication
I have improved my technical communication skills this semester greatly. My
technical writing has improved both because of learning in class and also because of the
large amount of practice that I got. I also got to read a large amount of technical writing
which gave me a better idea of how good technical writing looks.
Comprehend appropriate content and style of oral presentations
I feel that my team and I have a good idea of appropriate content and style needed for a
good oral presentation. Our feedback forms told us this was so.
Access relevant standards and interpret their meaning and application
There is much research online concerning applications for solar power. I had to
spend much time reading the standards that have been developed for solar power and I
needed to understand how these applied to our project.
Describe and understand the overall engineering design process
I have a very good understanding of the engineering design process. Much of
what I know I learned in previous projects in AEE and with my work in the
Turbomachinery lab. ECE 480 has helped to cement these practices and has shown me
how invaluable the design process is.
Understand the benefits and potential problems of teaming
Working in teams always presents unique issues that need to be overcome.
However, a good team is always more effective than a single person. My team and I
worked very well together this semester. We didn’t always agree but we have good
communication skills so we were able to work through problems without leaving
someone out.
Use the web to find information about electrical and computer engineering
I believe all Electrical Engineers have a good knowledge of how to search
databases for information. I also have learned how to better separate knowledge from
fiction and hearsay. There is a lot of misinformation on the internet especially in hobbyist
circles. Also much information is given without being sourced properly, so it is up to me,
the reader, to be able to decide if information is real and trustworthy.
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What have I learned about the design process from my work on the
design project.
The task of this team was to design a solar powered multi-seat computer system
for deployment into rural schools. This included researching what technologies are
currently available to provide the most efficient and cost effective method of running
multiple computer terminals from a solar system. This task itself is a serious engineering
challenge and it turns out that sourcing components for such a system in under-developed
areas is also a big challenge.
I have been in charge of many different aspects of this project. I have spent much
time acquiring the parts needed from different suppliers. I have also helped with
decisions regarding our power management system. I also designed the PCB board for
the power management system.
Since I am a hands on person I have built most of the current sensing boxes that
we are using. I have made many decisions concerning casing and wiring options. I have
built several small temperature sensors that will monitor case temperatures and if the case
gets to hot the system will shut itself down.
What technical communications have I done this semester?
I have been involved in all technical papers and presentations we are required to do for
ECE 480. These include but are not limited too…
Pre-proposal
Proposal
DFSS assignments
Technical Lecture
Application note
Design Issues Paper
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What is the impact of this course on my career objectives and
professional goals?
This course has helped me to realize that I want to continue to be involved in
hands on projects and design work. I do not want to be a technical sales man. It has also
helped me to cement my plans for grad school by helping me realize that I really want to
learn more about electrical engineering before I go out into the real world.
What are my primary strengths and weaknesses?
My biggest weakness is that I am a shy person. Also I tend to procrastinate.
However I have learned to be a good leader and this has helped me to overcome my
shyness. I am also very dedicated and strong willed. While I may not excel as much as
some as far as grades I am very good in lab courses. I have excellent soldering skills as
well, and can easily go between a schematic, protoboard, to pcb. I also am getting better
at separating functional blocks in a circuit and figuring out how exactly they work.
Where would I like to be professionally five years after graduation?
I will probably be finished with grad school and either working for an audio
company or starting my own company.
What lifelong-learning steps must I plan to undertake in order to
achieve this five-year professional goal?
I need to learn more about business to compete in the marketplace with my own
company. I am sure that I can succeed and I need to keep this attitude. I feel that personal
engineering projects will help me get an idea for the kinds of products I will create. I
want to go to grad school and this will help with these plans as well. It will be important
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for me to stay on top of current engineering trends as well as software and other learning
and design tools. I know I can be successful.
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Eric Tarkleson
1617 East Grand River, East Lansing MI, 48823
Tel: 1-810-845-1800 Email: tarkleso@msu.edu
Objective:
I am seeking a challenging full time position that relates to my major of Electrical Engineering, while fulfilling my
desire to work in the audio industry.
Education:
Michigan State University: East Lansing Mi USA (GPA: 2.97 / 4.00)
Senior in the college of Electrical Engineering. Will graduate in May/09.
Aug/04 - present
Experience:
Audio Enthusiasts and Engineers: President of student organization at MSU.
Focuses on hands on approach to learning the technical details of audio. One of the
newest, fastest growing student organizations at MSU. http://www.aeemsu.com
Aug/06 - present
MSU Dept of Electrical Engineering: ECE 203 laboratory instructor
Oversee 2 lab sections/semester, write and proctor quizzes, answer student questions.
Aug/07 - present
MSU Dept of Mechanical Engineering: Turbo machinery research laboratory
May/08 - present
Working on various projects including woven wheel compressor building and testing,
pressure shockwave testing and wave rotor test rig.
MSU Dept of Housing: Night receptionist level 3 supervisor
In charge of safety and security at the Brody residence halls between the hours of
11:30pm and 7:00am. Train new hires and supervisors.
Aug/04 - Aug/08
MSU Dept of Electrical Engineering: ECE 201 Grader
Graded homework papers and helped proctor exams for over 40 students.
Jan/07 - May/07
Fenton Lakes Building and Design: Carpenter/computer technician
Worked in all stages of construction from start to finish. In charge of building,
maintaining and updating office computers, web pages, and networks.
Jan/00 - Aug/06
Technical Skills:
Good knowledge of analog circuits and Pspice
Knowledge of the acoustics, design and construction of speaker cabinets
Knowledge of filter design and construction
Knowledge of Labview
Good at working with deadlines and teams
Good at working with different disciplines to realize a common goal
Activities and Awards: President of Audio Enthusiasts and Engineers www.aeemsu.com
Recipient of Golden Capacitor award (AEE)
Member of IEEE
Member of AES (Audio Engineering Society)
Completed live sound production course at the Arc in Ann Arbor
Founded digital arts program at Lake Fenton High School
Recipient of $1000 Fenton township service club scholarship
Deans list at Michigan State University
Part of ROSES (Residential living Option for Science and Engineering Students)
Interests:
Audio circuit design and construction
Speaker design and construction
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Amplifier design
Live sound reinforcement
Music
Guitar
Tube electronics
Power machinery
References available upon request