Meet Christine Curran—Featured YP for January

Where are you from?

Northville, MI

What company/institution do you work for?

ExxonMobil

Where did you complete/are you completing your chemical engineering education?

University of Michigan

How many years have you been a member of AIChE?

Four years.

Describe a recent challenge you managed, notable achievement, or obstacle you overcame at your job or in your work as an AIChE member.

I attended my first national conference this fall in Minneapolis. I really enjoyed learning more about the national organization. The Environmental Division sponsored a service project where we were able to meet city representatives, plant new grass seed to prevent erosion along the Mississippi River, and learn about the history of the Minneapolis mills. We plan to also incorporate a service project in our upcoming Houston conference. It was a great way to build relationships within the organization and with the community.

What do you do to meet people in your field?

As Houston has a large oil and gas presence, it is hard to avoid running into other chemical engineers! Internally, ExxonMobil has great new-hire organizations for networking, community service, and social events. Also, I have attended AIChE conferences in Minneapolis and Galveston, TX. Though I enjoy talking to others in the energy industry, I find it equally valuable to learn new ideas and technology from different disciplines.

What's the first thought you have when you wake up in the morning?

"I am going to need Starbucks." I am a happy morning person, but I love to have an Americano at the start of my day.

If your college had offered a class on real-life skills for the aspiring ChE, what would you want them to teach?

Process simulation.

If you weren't a ChE, what would you most want to be?

Growing up, I wanted to be a teacher. As part of my current role, I deliver lectures in several of the facilities engineering courses at ExxonMobil. Teaching has been a wonderful experience, and it allows me to develop my technical knowledge through creating example problems and helping the students. Unlike other professions, I think it is hard for children to conceptualize what engineers do day to day. Though both my parents are engineers, I did not have a true appreciation for the field until I started working myself. I think the best we can do is stress the importance of math and science to kids; it really opens a world of possibility! I cannot picture my life without my engineering degree.

Do you have any advice for current or future young professionals reading ChEnected?

I am inspired by a quote from Peter Senge: "Ultimately, leadership is about how we shape futures that we truly desire, as opposed to try the best we can to cope with circumstances we believe are beyond our control." Seek new opportunities, work hard, keep a balance.

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