LISA BERGERON

Engineer at TechnipFMC, Subsea Distribution
UM NAME BSE ’15, UM NAME  MSE ’16

MOST REWARDING PROJECT:
Being an ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) Surveyor in The Philadelphia Shipyard, overseeing the construction of 50,000 DWT (Deadweight tonnage) tankers. Working in a shipyard every day helped me bridge the gap between ship design and the practicalities of how ships are built and operated. It was also very satisfying to see the progress as the ships were being built, and going out on sea trials was an incredible experience!

HOW DO YOU USE YOUR DEGREE IN EVERYDAY LIFE?
As I work mainly on the analysis of ship structures, I use all of my structures classes on a daily basis. I also use what I learned in the design classes as I read ship drawings, create 3-D models in Rhino, and then perform Finite Element Analysis in FEMAP. I also use my technical communications classes for report writing, dynamics for seakeeping analysis, and the machinery-based classes when I work on joint projects with the machinery and systems group.

WHY ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR WORK?
I’ve always found it amazing that us tiny humans can use what started as a heap of steel (or wood, or aluminum…) to cross the massive, harsh, unpredictable oceans. The maritime industry truly connects the world in a way that nothing else can, and I think it’s amazing to play a role in something much bigger than myself. Plus, ships are awesome, and now I’m surrounded by people who I can chat with about boats all day long. What more can a girl ask for?!

ADVICE FOR STUDENTS:
Go get field experience!! Especially while still in college! Go on every ship tour offered, get an internship in a shipyard, and volunteer to tag along to absolutely everything you can. Not only will it make you a better engineer and set you apart from your peers, but it is also lots of fun!