As I finish up my masters thesis at the University of Connecticut, I have been reflecting upon what I am able to take away from my experiences here working as a graduate assistant. Alongside the ability to think like a professional engineer designing and running experiments, analyzing data, and postulating causal mechanisms on a Newtonian length scale for effects of pressure on microstructure, I ask myself now what? What do I do with it? This philosophical engineering quintessential knowledge is taken from an article by Michael Michalko addressing 12 reminders about creativity and how it is often forgotten in the labs and taking tests during school. Learn how to take what you have and be more creative with what you want to do following Michael’s 12 things about creativity.

1) you are creative 2) creative thinking is work 3) you must go through the motions of being creative 4) your brain is not a computer 5) there is no one right answer 6)never stop with your first good idea 7) expect the experts to be negative 8) trust your instincts 9) there is no such thing as failure 10) you do not see things as they are; you see them how you are 11) always approach a problem on its own terms 12) learn to think unconventionally

For more information: Original Article

Philosophical Engineering Quintessential Knowledge: Creativity can come and go. We are not taught that but expected to be creative throughout our careers in life. Remind yourself of these twelves things and let the creativity come to you.