An unconventional engineering career
During this session, students will meet with Keith to learn about how he has operationalized his passions for product design and consumer product safety. Students can see various types of engineering principles and disciplines in practice, how Keith leverages those for client deliverables, and what is required to support operational outputs. In his job, Keith works as a “Myth Buster” without the cameras and explosions. To support a consulting business, Keith and his staff must be relevant, prevalent, and knowledgeable. As such, the innovations created require extensive and fast paced research. To lead this team, Keith relies upon his background, passions, and a set of leadership principles. All of this will be discussed – and more!
(The ‘and more’ is a scholarship opportunity – so pay attention – and if you apply, you could be selected to receive a trip to Washington DC in February ‘21 with expenses paid to attend the ICPHSO Annual Symposium.)
About the presenter
Keith Rhoades
Global Director
Intertek RiSE
Keith comes from a background of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Design. Typically, you’ll find Keith in the Human Factors Research Lab designing bespoke assessment methods for a variety of clients within the consumer product space. If he’s not there, Keith may be found onsite at our clients’ offices training and promoting product safety through design and data-driven examples, or presenting as a thought leader at industry, scientific, and medical conferences.
Some notable works include industry-adopted Human Factors and hazard models in the areas of battery ingestion, human and canine bio-mechanic interaction, eye impact injuries, suffocation, airway obstruction, mastication, feeding and swallowing, CO2 rebreathing, and aspiration. Keith’s diverse skill set has offered numerous solutions specific to clients’ safety processes, product designers, manufacturers, and research and development teams.
Keith is a dad to two boys that normally pose as angry dinosaurs at their bedtime…and although will surely love chatting soon – would much rather be in Hawaii! In his free time, Keith plays French horn in a community orchestra, and (because it is fun when it’s your passion!) manages a non-profit organization dedicated to injury prevention. On the weekends, you might find him in his shop, designing custom instrument parts, or making wooden spoons.