Why do you want to go to graduate school?
The answer is simple. I want a more challenging life and I want to experience the complex beauty of this world. More particularly, I want to perceive the art and philosophy of structural engineering. I want to see and feel the fascinating masterpieces of structural design and I wonder if one day I could design such a beauty by myself.
I have discussed the detailed reason in this blog article: https://studystructural.wordpress.com/2012/02/12/why-study-abroad/
What is your viewpoint on the career of Structural Engineering?
As one of the oldest professions in this world, structural engineering is an important component of our society. We help people to survive through fire, earthquake, tornado or typhoon, flood, and many other natural disasters. Our society cannot run without the essential lifeline engineering which is designed, constructed, operated, and maintained by engineers. Sometimes, majestic buildings and infrastructures created by engineers serve as the symbol of civilization and human souls. Maybe people will not notice the importance of engineering. But in fact, engineers are hidden guardians who keep on protecting the society by conscientious works.
What do you think about the future of Structural Engineering?
Maybe some people look upon the field of Structural Engineering as a sunset industry. However, I do not think that this industry has passed its peak periods. Many worldwide problems cannot be solved without an effective solution in Structural Engineering. These problems include the population explosion, the lack of essential infrastructures in many backward areas, the environmental pollution, and the pursue of sustainable development.
Also, there are many growth poles in this industry. We have smart materials and smart monitors. We have powerful implements from huge construction machines to advanced software. Many old buildings and infrastructures can be retrofitted by creative methods and innovative materials. And many new resources such as solar energy and wind energy are under utilization with the aid of new achievements in the field of Structural Engineering.
If we regard the period of iron with brilliant engineering masters such as Eiffel and Brunel as the first golden age of Structural Engineering, the second golden age would be the period of modern concrete, with representative engineers such as Robert Maillart, Eduardo Torroja, and Pier Luigi Nervi. Nowadays, we are making the tallest buildings and the longest bridges into reality and we are achieving a new level of efficiency and elegance. In my opinion, we are actually in the third golden age.
Where can I find your resume?
You can find my resume in this page: https://studystructural.wordpress.com/resume/
Also, you can download this PDF version of my resume: Resume-Nan Gao
What are your strong points in the field of engineering?
I have been working as a structural design engineer for more than four years, and I have got plenty of practical experience. I have received the qualification of Chinese National Licensed Structural Engineer (PE). I am particularly strong in seismic analysis and design of high-rise concrete structures. Also, I am familiar with the whole process of structural design and I am practiced in using several sorts of computer software. I am particularly proficient with AutoCAD, SAP 2000, and Revit Structure.
Have you got any professional license?
I became a Chinese National Licensed Structural Engineer in January 2013. Also, I have passed the fundamental examination of the National Licensed Geotechnical Engineer.
Could you describe your working experience in detail?
I work for SHJY Architectural Design Co., Ltd., which is one of the biggest privately owned engineering design companies in China. With more than 100 engineers in the company, we have a nationwide scope of business. As a structural design engineer, I have participated in the analysis, design, drawing, and on-site supervision of several new constructions and retrofit projects, including residential buildings, commercial buildings, office buildings, hospitals, and educational buildings. I have completed several designs of RC special moment frame, RC shearwall, RC moment frame-shearwall or moment frame-corewall, and masonry structures. You can find the detailed information of my projects in this page: https://studystructural.wordpress.com/projects/
What do you get from your undergraduate study?
I graduated from Tongji University in the year 2008. Besides my Bachelors degree, I have got the essential knowledge and fundamental principles of structural engineering. And I am well-trained as a design engineer. Moreover, I learnt team spirit and I met a lot of friends. I had a great time in Tongji University and I cherish the memory very much.
Did you attend any structure race in the university?
I attended a small-scale truss design competition in the university and I think it was my first lesson on what engineering actually is. I have written about the details of this experience in this blog article: https://studystructural.wordpress.com/2012/02/21/my-first-lesson/
Have you ever worked in a laboratory?
I have worked in the Mechanics Laboratory and the Structural Laboratory of Tongji University. I learnt the basic methods of testing materials in the Mechanics Laboratory. In the Structural Laboratory, I learnt the whole process of structural experiments, including the design of experiment projects, the making of specimens and samples, and the control and record of the loading procedure.
How about your knowledge base of mathematics and mechanics?
I have got excellent grades in the course Engineering Mechanics, Theory of Probability, Fluid Mechanics, and Computation Mechanics of Structures and Applied Software. I also got enough training in calculus, structural mechanics, physical science, and linear algebra.
What is your preference? PhD or Master?
My first choice is PhD. I like to spend several years in the study and research of Structural Engineering. And I want to contribute to human knowledge in this special field. As this article stated, PhD is for the ones who like to push the boundary of human knowledge.
What is your career goal in the future?
I want to pursue a career as a faculty of a university in the future. I like to stay in the academic field and continue my research. Also, I think it is important to combine theoretical study and practical experience. A career like the German scholar and engineer Jörg Schlaich is my long-term goal and my ultimate dream.
Besides, I am very interested in public education. I have a plan to translate technical books and articles into Chinese in order to help those Chinese engineers or students who are facing language barriers. I wish I could write some books about structural engineering in the future in order to improve the public awareness of our industry and to make some contribution to the SETM (Science, Engineering, Technology, and Mathematics) education of our society.
Is your English good enough to study at the graduate school of US?
In the TOEFL test, I got full marks in the reading, listening, and writing sections. My total score is 114 out of 120. Also, I have attended several courses which was using English as the medium of instruction, including the course of Timber Structure which was under co-direction of the University of British Columbia and the Canada Wood Group.
What about your GRE scores?
I attended GRE General test in November 2011 and got a full mark of 170 in the Quantitative section. My Verbal score is 156 and my Analytical Writing score is 4.
Besides books on Structural Engineering, what else do you like to read?
I like to read books about mathematics, science, and philosophy. My favorite authors include Carl Sagan, Isaac Asimov, Stephen Hawking, Bill Bryson, and Morris Kline. I also like to read about arts, especially architectural arts. And my favorite fiction writers includes Higashino Keigo, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, and Jorge Luis Borges.
Do you have any hobbies?
My two major hobbies are writing and long-distance running. When I was at university, I worked as a journalist for the university newspaper and I had an internship in the Science and Technology Daily as an apprentice journalist. Also, I am a member of the long-distance running sports team of Tongji University. I keep up running every day since I was in high school. I feel this habit makes me sharp and agile, both physically and mentally.
Besides, I am an amateur photographer, I have a Canon DSLR, a Holga 135BC, and a Fujifilm instax mini. I am also a huge fan of classical Peiking Opera.
Note of Studying Structural Engineering 