Italian tech news site LineaEDP spoke with Andreas Anedda, the 7th place finisher in the big GrabCAD GE Challenge. The article makes a point of exploring how young talent in countries with struggling economies (like Italy) can take advantage of new movements like open engineering, new platforms like GrabCAD, and new technologies like 3D printing, to jump start their careers.
Originally posted on lineaEDP.it by Danilo Tarantino (translated from Italian by Google)
Occupation: Student of Design and Engineering at the Politecnico di Milano
Specialization: Product Design
Accomplishments: Ranked seventh in the 3D Printing Design Challenge, a competition launched by General Electric (GE) and GrabCAD
We were able to interview the talented Andreas, giving us a glimpse into the world of young people who are taking advantage of situations like this contest to establish themselves in the working world. In a country like Italy, which currently does not fully support students and recent graduates, it gives hope and motivation to our young talent.
Is this your first time participating in a contest?
As for competitions of this caliber, the GE contest was a first for me- especially designing for 3D printing .
You have studied abroad, how does the level of engineering and design education abroad compare to Italy?
I was lucky enough to do three years of school in France, and then I lived for six months in London. My experience shows me that, as far as my specialty, the Polytechnic of Milan gave me an excellent education. I do realize that the Polytechnic represents excellence at the international level in the field of industrial design, and that does not represent the average level of Italian universities.
In Italy it sometimes takes a miracle to get the project of a student or entrepreneur produced. Abroad more companies participate directly in teaching and enhancing the projects of entrepreneurs.
Your win showed that in our country we have innovative young people. Do you believe that competitions like the GE challenge can help companies find talented individuals here and revive the Italian economy?
Without a doubt I hope so! GE carried out a media campaign for this fantastic competition which highlighted the finalists worldwide. Exposure is very important for a young person like me who is trying to enter the work world.
How important is passion, in addition to studies, to achieve results?
Passion is essential because it gives you the desire to commit your time on your work and improve. When there is a passion for work, it is not a burden but a pleasure, and so it is much easier to achieve good results.
How is 3D printing changing business? Do you think Italy is on the same level as other countries?
3D printing is opening the door to possibilities that a few years seemed like science fiction. It has the ability to test a component as soon as it is designed in a sort of mini-production. The cost and time required to create functioning prototypes is greatly reduced. I look forward to the day when I can connect a 3D printer to my home computer and print an object that I need: it is a manufacturing revolution.
Today 3D printing is still a developing field that requires very specialized knowledge. But if you think about it, 20 years ago the laser printers that everyone now has at home were in the same situation. So I don't see why in a few years there won't also be a 3D printer on my desk.
Italy is not that behind. 3D printing is a well-known technology and there is a vast movement of Italian "makers" who promote activities that are very interesting and instructive.
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