Young Engineer

Pick a Good Project Topic August 12, 2009

Pick-your-own-topic projects or papers are fickle mistresses.  Sometimes, you work on a topic you love, your group works together better than a bunch of navy SEALs, everything gets done on time, and the final topic is spectacular.  Other times, you dread working on the project, nothing happens on time, getting team members to do things is like pulling teeth, and you can’t wait to just get the damn thing done with.

So what makes a good project topic?  How do you find one?

Pick a Topic You Love

It doesn’t happen all the time, but occasionally something you’re really interested in is related to your assignment.  It may be something you’ve always been interested in, something you just found out about recently, but whatever it is, you’re really excited to have such a great topic.  I do my best work when I’m passionate about my topic—you probably do too.

Important considerations when you pick a project based on interest …

• Relevant: Is the topic clearly related to the class, or do you have to stretch it? Ask your professor.  If he or she has reservations, you may want to consider another topic.
• Feasible I: Can you accomplish everything you need to do in the time allotted?  If it’s a project, do you have everything you need for design and fabrication, or for experimentation?  If it’s a paper, will you have to get some resources on loan?  How long will it take to get those sources?
• Feasible II: Is the project within your capabilities?  If you’re going to have to do a lot of extra learning to understand the background, or to do your project, do you have time to do it?  Are there knowledgeable people who can help you?  Do they have time?

Pick a Topic for Your Career

So, maybe there’s nothing you’re excited about in the assigned area.  At this point, most people flounder around for a topic, sometimes doing something the professor suggested, or picking something out of desperation the day a topic is due.  Instead of picking something random, pick a topic that will do something for your career.  By your second or third year of your undergrad experience, you know your major or engineering subspecialty, and you probably have a decent idea about where you want to work when you get out of school.  Use this information to search for entry-level job postings, and read the job descriptions to find out what experiences and skills employers in your desired location and field are looking for.  Pick a project related to the qualifications employers want, and you’ll give yourself an advantage when it comes to looking for jobs.

Some tips…

• Finding Job Postings: I like indeed.com, but you can use any job site you want to.  Setting up a daily alert for a week or so is a good way to get a handle on trends.  I get mine from indeed as an RSS feed, but google alerts would probably work well too.
• Relevant and Feasible: The considerations from above also apply to career-driven topics
• Reach out to Industry: Contact one of the companies that published a job opening. Tell them what you’re doing, and ask for advice.  Can they recommend resources, or put you in touch with someone who might be able to help you out?  The contact may not be critical to getting the project done, but it’s good networking for the future.

Pick Something Innovative

Like topics that really excite you, innovative topics can be hard to find and discover.  However, you don’t have to discover the next carbon nanotube to do something innovative.  Consider new ways to solve old problems.  Impose limitations on resources or materials that force you to get creative.  Can you make a something that uses 50% less power, or that is made from only renewable materials?  Can you combine old solutions to problems for a more efficient product?  Here are some tips for coming up with innovative project topics.

• Ideate: Use your favorite method for coming up with good ideas, be it brainstorming, mind mapping, or something else. I prefer a stack of post-it notes, a sharpie, and a friendly wall.  Challenge yourself to see how many ideas you can come up with.
• Get Inspired: Check out the latest research in the field, or flip through your textbook.  Try to find connections between the subject your project will be in and your experiences.  Wikipedia can also be a great place to explore topics, because of all the links in the articles.
• Find a Friend: Bouncing ideas off of other people is a great way to get yourself out of a brain rut.

What projects have you done?  How do you come up with topics?  Let us know in the comments!