Supporting Student Innovation

Now that my latest book, Winning through Innovation is on the bookshelves, I decided to take it a step further and sponsor a student fellowship at my alma mater, Harvey Mudd College. The selected student will work this summer on a yet-to-be-determined project related to innovation under the direction of Professor Zach Dodds.

I was asked to speak to the college’s Legacy Society and Board of Trustees on why I felt it was important to support the college in this way, and I was happy to do so. It dates back to when I was a student there pursuing a degree in engineering. One of the unique aspects of Harvey Mudd’s engineering curriculum is a series of required courses known as Engineering Clinic. Beginning in your junior year, you work as part of a team on a project sponsored by an outside company. Juniors serve as team members, but by your senior year you become the team leader. For me, it was a great way to learn the practical aspects of engineering management.

I was fortunate to be accepted into the college’s Master of Engineering program, and Engineering Clinic formed the basis of my master’s thesis. I led a team sponsored by Procter and Gamble to develop a novel method for improving the manufacturing process of Pampers (for anyone who has ever been a parent of young children, you’re welcome!). I have always felt this experience gave me a leg up on engineers from other schools who were excellent at engineering but had little understanding of the practical aspects of managing engineers. I felt that sponsoring a student intern would be one way I could help return the favor. I’m looking forward to seeing this summer’s results and plan to sponsor a student again in future years.