This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Mark Rober . It has been edited for length and clarity .
I still have the same crazy, zany ideas I had as a kid. But after becoming a mechanical engineer, I have this skill set that allows me to bring those ideas to life.
As a kid, I liked putting a slinky down the stairs. As an adult, I can build an infinity slinky staircase .
Engineering is a superpower that really exists. It allows you to just will anything into existence. That’s what I want to show kids. I want to give them the experience of getting curious, failing, and engaging with the world around them.
My career path emerged from my…
