What's the Word? Eagle Alumni Spotlight: Alex Hoppe

This first episode of What's the Word Eagle Alumni Spotlights features Alex Hoppe, a Mechanical Engineering grad from 2022.

Episode transcript:
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Abigail: Hello everybody and welcome to the first ever episode of "What's the Word: Eagle Alumni Spotlight Podcast." And today we have a very special guest for you so let's get into it!

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Abigail: Alright. So Hi, everybody. Today we are here with Alex Hoppe and Alex why don't you give us a little bit of background about yourself.

Alex: Yeah, sure things. So I was a mechanical engineering student in the robotics track. and I graduated last year in 2,022. Let's see one of my favorite memories being at Embry-Riddle. I have a lot of interesting tales like the time I got chased by javelinas at midnight down by the lake.

Abigail: Oh wow

Alex: I also took a summer class where it was just me and one other student in the whole class. And then last year that student officiated my wedding. So it's been a wild time at Embry-Riddle. I really enjoyed my time there. And so yeah, that's about it. Currently. I'm just starting a brand new job. working for all places. Pennsylvania State University in Washington State as a contractor for the navy. So you know a Russian nesting doll of jobs, it's a super cool opportunity,and that, I'm really enjoying working in the undersea field. Unfortunately, I can't go into too much detail there, because security clearances and all that.

Abigail: Right, right, all that good stuff. That's awesome! What's your favorite part of your current job? If you can get into that a little bit.

Alex: I would say.... my favorite part about my current job is just to how varied it is. Every day is completely different, and it's something that I always have to adapt to and change my expectations, but that keeps things interesting and engaging. And that's what I really love about it.

Abigail: Oh, that's awesome. It definitely keeps you on your toes,then. All right, then, what does a typical day look like? I know you can't get too much into it. But if you give us a brief overview that would be great.

Alex: Yeah. So let's see, in the morning times generally get in and check my email, see if there's any updates. And an interesting thing about my position is that because I'm working for Pennsylvania State University all the stuff happens over there, and they're 3 hours ahead of us. And so the mornings usually spent getting caught up with things that are happening over there. So that's typical morning, and then I for the rest of the day, it's usually getting into design work or working out in the field or in the shop, and that sort of thing.
And then, with various like meetings interspersed within all that.

Abigail: very cool. and then, so do you do a lot of writing in your current job?

Alex: I would say.... not a huge amount, in my like role as the research and development engineer. A lot of what I do is like the very early phases of our project before it goes in a really heavy documentation, and like turning like the stuff I design into like work procedures and that sort of thing. That being said in my role, there is a lot of communication and writing that is centered around, I guess, the best way to put up would be education. Educating both, like myself, in terms of like getting up to date on the on the latest industry standards and then educating my peers and managers, and like kind of what I'm working on, because this is like new stuff. There's not really a set rule book, and so that would probably be it for the writing centered around in my role.

Abigail: Right? Oh, that's awesome. So kind of a genre for your writing... Would it be centered mostly on writing that's similar to writing you did at Embry-Riddle, or your professors had for you at Embry-Riddle, would you say?

Alex: In some ways, yeah, but in others not so much. So, I like a lot of the writing that I did it at Embry-Riddle was very technical, and that has definitely carried over. But one way, I'd say, that it's different is in my personal experience it's a lot less formal. And there are a lot, there are many different ways in which writing works itself into what I do. So, for example, like I don't, it's very rare that I will sit down and write like a four page memo or something.
Usually the communication I do is more of like Powerpoint slides or quick update emails to the team. And so in that sort of communication the the key is conveying, like a lot of highly technical information into a really condensed format that is easily digestible. So it's an interesting balancing act so while doing that.

Abigail: very, very cool, and that leads me right into my next question, which you already somewhat answered for me. So is there anything you wish you kind of would have known transitioning from Embry-Riddle into workplace writing?

Alex: yeah. And I would say, quick, disclaimer off the pad like this is just my personal experience and like a research and development role, but in my experience the the ways in which writing works itself into my work is a lot less so like long formal reports and a lot more of fast updates and presentations. And so I guess I would say one way in which I think of that Embry-Riddle might be able to improve is to kind of expand the scope of technical writing, I guess, because it's really it's it's not a lot of reports. It's more of a lot of communicating these really complicated topics to both peers and to managers. And so those two groups have a like very different needs, I guess. When you're writing you might be go into like a very complex discussion when you're talking to peers, and you might gloss over
over some details. that you the put they would already know versus when you're talking to managers or external funding groups. That sort of thing. Then you really need to take like a high level approach. And so just kind of learning how to do that. Not just in like technical reports, but email communications, or even direct messages, presentations, that sort of thing.

Abigail: Right, right. So making it kind of more specialized to whoever you're writing it to and what it's for? Stuff like that, yeah?

Alex: yeah, exactly.

Abigail: perfect. All right. And so my last question for you today is, do you have any general advice you'd like to give our Eagles?

Alex: yes, I would say that whatever that you have to bring to the table it is valuable And so like, if you find yourself like struggling in your technical report class. You're just like, Oh, my gosh! I have to get like 2,000 words in this paper, and I have no idea what I'm going to do. It's like you're fine. It's okay in the real world you'll be thanked for not adding those 2,000 words. So play to your strengths and like, don't get bogged down just like, Oh, this assignment like just doesn't really jive with me it's totally okay. When it gets to the real world you'll find your niche, you'll find how you communicate best. And it's a constant learning experience. It's going to change with jobs over time. And in the particular role you're in, so I wouldn't, wouldn't stress about the difficulties you run into during college.

Abigail: Perfect! That is great advice. Thank you so so much, Alex. And do you have any other parting words you like to give us?

Alex: Good luck! Ace those finals-- I don't know.

Abigail: That's always good good to do!

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Abigail: Alright, a big thank you to Alex who was our first ever interviewee for our "What's the Word: Eagle Alumni Spotlight Podcast." We hoped you all enjoyed the podcast, and stay tuned for more!

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Amelia: This Podcast is supported by the Department of Humanities and Communication at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona. Abby Bradberry is our host. Matthew Haslam is Department Chair. And I'm Amelia Chesley, Assistant Professor of Professional Writing. The intro and outro music is 'Wanderer' by Aylex. Find us on Youtube or reach out if you're and alum and would like to be featured in a future episode.

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