Collaboration Portal
“Connect“
INCOSE Connect
Store
Contact us
New !
Search
Join us
Login
Full Menu and site Navigation
A better world through a systems approach
Contact us
Join us
Login
Home
About Systems Engineering
About Systems Engineering
History of Systems Engineering
SE Standards
Careers in SE
System and SE Definition
SE Vision 2035
Future of Systems Engineering - FuSE
Systems Engineering Certification
Certification
Becoming Certified
Documenting Experience
Taking the Exam
Being a Reference
After Certification
Certification FAQs
University & Organizational Agreements
About the Certification Program
Certification Blog
Products Publications
SE Body of Knowledge
SE Graduate Reference Curriculum
SE Principles
Technical Publications
Periodicals
SE Handbook
Papers & Presentations library
Webinars
Copyrights
SE Vision 2035
LTMYS
Competency Guide
Natural Systems Primer
Digital Systems Engineering Process Model
Academic Affairs
Academic Council
Student Divisions
SE Research
SE Education
Events and News
INCOSE Events
International Workshop
International Symposium
INCOSE and Systems Engineering News
Media Contact
Calling All Systems
INCOSE Member Resources
Join INCOSE
INCOSE Chapters
Chapter Resources
Working Groups and Technical Operations Initiatives
Corporate Advisory Board
Academic Council
Student Divisions
Empowering Women
Systems Engineering Surveys
Marketing & Communications
Professional Development Portal (PDP)
INCOSE Impact
INCOSE Annual Impact Statement
About INCOSE
INCOSE Privacy Statement
INCOSE Membership
Leadership & Organization
INCOSE Recognition
New Member Welcome Center
Principles & Values
Strategic Objectives
Transformation
Volunteers
Policies and Bylaws
Contact Us
Community
Internship
Technical Leadership Institute
INCOSE Foundation
Connect_Home
Position Descriptions
Outreach
TPP Entry Portal
PDP
Home
About Systems Engineering
Systems Engineering Certification
Products Publications
Academic Affairs
Events and News
INCOSE Member Resources
INCOSE Impact
About INCOSE
Connect_Home
TPP Entry Portal
About INCOSE
Engage with INCOSE
Certification Blog
return to
Certification Overview
Graduate perspective on Academic Equivalency: Sarah Kawai, CSEP
Mrunmayi Joshi
(?)
Sep 27, 2022
Here is an interview with
Sarah Kawai, a graduate from University of Detroit Mercy
which talks about her experience and perspective as a graduate from the academic equivalency program.
Happy SEPtember!
This interview was conducted in 2022.
Q1.
What is your current role/position?
» I am currently a 1D Fluids Engineer at Ford, where I own the 1D model for several engine systems.
Q2.
What are your next career goals?
» I would love to try something completely new, but I know I want to focus on more MBSE driven projects.
Q3.
What have you learned about systems engineering in school?
» It was really introduced to me in my Master's program. We focused on the fundamental concepts of systems engineering and systems architecture, and we covered a lot of real world case studies. What really hooked me though was learning SysML and about MBSE. We had the opportunity to build pretty complex system models, and we even got to collaborate as a class on one model. For our thesis, my team developed a new method of systems modeling called Alternative Based System Modeling that focused on moving requirements to interfaces so that alternatives could be easily swapped in and out.
Q4.
What interests you about systems engineering?
» MBSE interests me. As systems become increasingly complex, and the breadth of knowledge required to design them increases accordingly, I don't see how we succeed without MBSE.
Q5.
What motivated you to get SEP certification?
» My professor, Mike Vinarcik, was a huge motivation for me and he helped get the process started. I also realized that SEP certification was the easiest way for me to communicate the level of knowledge and experience I have, as well as my commitment to SE.
Q6.
How did the academic equivalency program benefit you?
» If it didn't exist, I'm not sure I would have become certified. Even though I know I have the knowledge to pass the exam, I don't think another exam would have been high on my priority list right after finishing my degree.
Q7.
How did taking courses under the academic equivalency program help you deepen your understanding of SE?
» Taking the courses let me go beyond learning about SE, and allowed me to actually practice it. As someone who learns best by doing, this really cemented a lot of concepts for me. It's also a lot easier to learn when you have other students to work with, and when you have professors to give you useful feedback.
Q8.
What is your advice for students and research professionals pursuing SEP certification?
» I was lucky enough to basically stumble into an academic equivalency program, but if you have the opportunity, take it. Also, seriously, work on your references early. Life gets busy.
Q9.
How can we reach out to you?
» You can reach out to me at:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-kawai-4bb45351/
Know more about academic equivalency from
here
.