Today, I teach others how to prepare for this kind of career.

To my students and those I meet in social settings, this sounds glamorous. Rest assured it is not. Yes, it’s fun to put words on paper and see them come to life. But the process is tough. It’s hard work. It’s a battle, most often with others who are analytical and uncomfortable with emotion-pushing narrative, yet have authority over your work seeing the light of day.

So frustratingly prominent was this conflict between artist and evaluator in my early career that I sought answers. I read and studied every book I could find on creativity. All of which helped me not only be more creative myself (perhaps because I had validation to trust my instincts), but also to convince those up the proverbial flagpole why the creative process needed to be trusted and respected.

Here are the top lessons I learned about creativity.

Artists are Everywhere

Is creativity a gift bestowed on a chosen few? No. Experience and intelligence are part of it, but the ability to be creative is about having random thought. And every person on the planet is capable of that. The difference is the van Goghs, the Michaelangelos, the Spielbergs paid attention to their random thoughts. They wrote them down and preserved them so they could pay attention to them later. (Steven Spielberg had the idea for the movie “ET� when he was 9 years old and took it with him to Hollywood.) Artists are comfortable taking an idea and turning it on its head. To be creative, you have to be willing to take that risk.

Quantity Leads to Quality

The only way to get one really good idea is to get lots of ideas. There are no shortcuts. Ad writers will draft 30, 50, 80 headlines to come up with one really great one. At the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, first-year illustration students are given three hours to draw a single apple 100 different ways. The first 10 or 12 drawings are easy: the whole apple, the apple cut in half, upside down, on its side. Then there is that lull. Followed by the result of manipulating random thought, the 87th idea that comes two hours and 37 minutes into the process is so cool and different and genius that both creator and observer exhale in wonder, “Whoa.�

Bring Along Your Inner Child

When we were 3, 4 and 5 our imagination ruled. We could be anything and do anything because there were no consequences. Then we went to school and there were expectations and evaluations, and guidelines, and rules. What we learned was conformity. This may be good for society, but it kills creativity. In college I had a friend who was an education major doing her student teaching. She shared a story about her lesson on the moon. She asked the class, “Who knows what makes the tides go up and down?� Eager hands flew up, and she called on one exceptionally jubilant pupil. “I know,� he said. “All the people in Africa go into the ocean to wash their clothes, and that makes the tide go up. And when they walk out of the ocean that makes the tide go down.� What a brilliant answer. But creative may not be the same as accurate. To turn an idea on its head, you have to think like a child, forgetting the rules and the norms imprinted on us so your brain can wonder.

Find Your Happy Place

In studies of creative people, a characteristic stands out. They laugh. A lot. They have good senses of humor themselves. They also are positive thinkers, finding the good in all situations. To maintain these qualities, it is essential to surround yourself with stimuli that make you laugh, make you happy, and to be optimistic. Debbie Downer is not an artist. Don’t be Debbie Downer if you want to find solutions to problems.

Here’s to your next idea being a big idea.

Joan McCain is an associate instructor of advertising/public relations in UCF’s Nicholson School of Communication. She can be reached at Joan.McCain@ucf.edu.

The student engineers design and build heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems for buildings and for seven of the past nine years, UCF’s designs have placed in the top three in ASHRAE national contests.

Last week ASHRAE announced UCF’s second-place rank in its “Design Calculations” category for an environmentally friendly, cost-effective system for a building in Doha, Qatar. In 2014, UCF earned a first-place title in the same category for a system designed for a New York City building.

The systems they design incorporate the latest technology as buildings become “smart.” Smart buildings use information technology, sensors and more to gather and share data (such as humidity readings and occupancy levels) to optimize building performance.

Innovative methods to cool a building – such as the Qatar building’s system that freezes water in a storage tank overnight when energy costs are lower – are often incorporated into new building designs.

“I got involved in ASHRAE to be at the forefront of an energy-sustainable world, optimizing one building at a time,” Bauer said. “I’d like to see more of my fellow engineering students get involved in UCF’s new building projects.”

He plans to get students involved by collaborating with UCF’s Office of Sustainability Initiatives and reaching out to campus groups like IDEAS for Us, a UCF-born national nonprofit devoted to implementing green and sustainable solutions.

“How the HVAC system is designed plays a major role in determining a building’s environmental impact,” said David Norvell, UCF assistant vice president for sustainability initiatives and a mechanical engineering alumnus. “This is where students can get involved on campus – they can help design UCF’s new buildings at the pre-construction stage, be involved during construction, benefit their alma mater and leave a legacy.”

At UCF, all new buildings must be LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a rating by the U.S. Green Building Council) and the HVAC system design is critical in earning the certification. LEED certification is based on a point system that covers a range of categories for the building.

HVAC Education at UCF = Jobs

The consistent success at the national level has made UCF’s engineers with HVAC design coursework in demand with employers.

“It seems like every engineering firm I talk to is hiring and asking me about UCF students in the ASHRAE chapter – which ones are graduating and which have already accepted offers,” said Kyle Inge, a 2012 graduate in mechanical engineering. He is an engineer at Peninsula Engineering in Orlando who says that UCF’s success comes from the university’s relationship with local companies and a highly concentrated curriculum.

Those close industry ties transform “book theory into real-life application,” said Inge, who came to UCF interested in aeronautics and realized he enjoyed HVAC design after an internship at Walt Disney World.

Immediate employment is the intent. Combined with UCF’s mechanical engineering curriculum, HVAC design education enables students to hit the ground running, said Muthasamy V. Swami, program director for simulation software development at UCF’s Florida Solar Energy Center and an adjunct in the College of Engineering & Computer Science.

Swami teaches HVAC I and II Systems Engineering courses, and incorporates electrical, aerospace and mechanical engineering disciplines. Only students who are most interested in HVAC take the courses, he said, which allows for an especially deep dive into the subject matter.

“Not many universities have such courses,” he said. Thermodynamics and heat transfer courses serve as complements. No special HVAC certification is required beyond a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.

UCF graduates are working at notable employers such as Trane, Carrier, Johnson Controls, Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, exp Global, Randall Mechanical, Peninsula Engineering, Harris, OCI Associates and more.

Mike A. Culver, a recruiter for exp U.S. Services in Maitland, said he actively recruits UCF engineers. “When I see ASHRAE on an applicant’s resume, it tells me that they are top-notch candidates. Being active in ASHRAE is a key indicator of an individual’s passion and dedication to their future profession.”

The company has more than 3,000 employees worldwide and hires several UCF graduates each year for its Maitland office. About 20 are UCF alumni, including Christian Robledo, past ASHRAE chapter president who graduated in May and was hired in June as a mechanical engineer. Robledo is the student liaison for ASHRAE’s central Florida professional chapter.

Agrarian was one of five grand-prize winners chosen out of 3,600 entries for the national Wells Fargo Works Project Contest. Agrarian started with a few UCF students in 2010 to provide help in managing invasive vegetation in wetlands and retention ponds. The company specializes in sustainable storm water management that eliminates the need for pesticides and herbicides to maintain water resources.

IDEAS for UCF has grown with chapters and partners at universities and K-12 schools around the world.

IDEAS, a sustainability movement with more than 15 chapters around the world, was founded by two UCF students in 2008.

Chris Castro and Henry “Hank� Harding, who have since graduated from UCF, were classmates in Professor Emeritus Penelope Canan’s environmental sociology course who were both fascinated by the connection between the environmental and social issues they were learning in the class.

Castro said the duo was motivated by “the unique opportunity to assist with engaging students in advancing the university’s sustainability and climate action initiatives.�

Castro and Harding believed that in order for UCF to achieve its environmental goals, there would need to be an engaged student body dedicated to renewable energy. They felt that students needed to be “action-oriented,� and thus, IDEAS for UCF was born.

“It was a truly dedicated group of UCF students who came together to advance sustainability and our climate-action goals,� Castro said. “It’s completely been a team effort to get to where we are today.�

Castro and Harding developed a toolkit that gave new chapters across the country a step-by-step guide how to positively influence their university’s environmental impact.

IDEAS continues to grow and gain international recognition, even receiving a from former President Clinton last spring at a UCF commencement ceremony.

After acknowledging Castro and Harding by name, and listing a number of IDEAS achievements, Clinton reminded students that, “It (IDEAS) all started here, with two people just like you.�

IDEAS’ missions are to educate young people about global environmental issues while engaging and empowering them to create localized solutions and to expose college students to critical pedagogy and real-world teaching experiences.

IDEAS for UCF achievements include obtaining a $645,000 grant to help fund the installation of solar panels outside of Garage B across from the Recreation and Wellness Center. The energy produced by the panels provides more than half of the total power used in the parking facility, saving UCF more than $15,000 a year by helping power the garage’s lights.

The group also is responsible for a solar umbrella behind the Student Union that allows students to use renewable energy to charge their laptops. In addition, the organization helps plan Greenwaves, the sustainable music festival held on campus each spring.

In 2011, the White House showcased IDEAS as part of its “Champions of Change� series that highlights Americans making positive changes to better their communities.

Current IDEAS for UCF member Will Chorvat was drawn to the group because of “the organic structure, and how everyone’s feedback was not just accepted, but appreciated…I loved that instead of just talking about certain problems, we were developing plans of action and solutions.â€�

Castro says everybody- whether a part of IDEAS or not- can make a difference.

“I think it’s important to realize that each one of us has the power to make a difference,â€� he said. “Whether it’s how we use our energy and water resources, how we discard our waste appropriately, what food we decide to eat, and how we treat the surrounding ecology — it all has an incredible impact on our people and planet. We have the ability to turn our ideas into solutions that will solve the environmental crisis.â€�

Clinton praised the student for the sustainability efforts he’s implemented into his work. His use of solar-powered musical sets as a DJ has earned him invitations to the Clinton Global Initiative º£½ÇÖ±²¥.

The DJ is a senior environmental studies student from Tampa involved with the student group IDEAS (Intellectual Decisions on Environmental Awareness Solutions).

What has your experience at UCF been like so far?

I have had a wonderful experience at UCF. I’ve been yearning for learning. I have had classes where I utilized mind-boggling GIS technology. I have had a class where I went to an outstanding organic farm. Throughout my studies, I’ve been blessed with some inspiring teachers.

Since freshman year I’ve been fortunate to be a part of IDEAS. I led the initiative Bikes Save CO2, and was previously the organization’s president. IDEAS is doing great stuff with research, action, and awareness. Through IDEAS I met some of the most impactful people of my college career, especially during Power Shift 2011, a grassroots effort to promote “greenâ€� issues. During this time I also ate a chunk of wasabi the size of a golf ball – in one bite. It was an exciting moment in DJ Chill Will’s history. This October, Power Shift 2013 will take place in Pittsburgh. I will be there alongside other leaders from around the world to fight for our future.

When did you first know that you wanted to become a DJ

I didn’t.

My friend, Joe, previously known as DJ Dragonz, was the only DJ I knew. I was his bodyguard at parties and events to make sure no one hassled him or touched his equipment while he was mixing. He had to go get a drink one time and told me that he’d probably be back before the song was over. However, time was running out and the screen was flashing red, (meaning the track was coming to an end) so I put on the headphones and moved sliders, clicked buttons, and twisted knobs the way I saw him do it. Things happened. As he always said, the best transitions are those that aren’t noticeable, and no one noticed mine. Except Joe.  He said he heard it from the other side of the venue.

I loved the possibilities of endless music so I kept practicing with him and eventually bought my own setup. Furthermore, I have always loved the ability of smells and the olfactory gland to transport one’s mind to a different place and/or time. I believe that music has the same ability.

What motivated your interest in sustainability?

I’ve always been more of a wild child. I feel very comfortable in nature wherever that may be. I’ve been fortunate enough to go with my family and friends to the Florida Keys almost every summer to free dive and scuba dive. I noticed a large amount of reef depletion, increased coral bleaching, and an increase in pollution – especially from plastics. Similar problems have been occurring in some of Florida’s beautiful freshwater waterways.

I wanted to find a way to fight these problems. One of the easiest ways to do so is to switch our fuel source from dead dinosaurs to the powerful sun. Coal and oil may have helped move society along more than 425 and 150 years ago, respectively, but times have changed. We need to upgrade. To hold onto these sources of energy is to be that stubborn, drunk ‘friend’ who claims that he or she is fine to drive. This dirty energy use is killing people, animals, plants, and the natural world. One of the current ways to move on and “sober up� is by using renewable energy specifically from the sun and wind.

These sources do not require constant digging and destruction. Once solar and wind are installed, the most one has to do is service the panels and turbines every 30 years. And what better place to develop solar than the Sunshine State?

Where did the idea for solar-powered DJ equipment come from?

The idea for solar powered sets came to me after working at my friend Terry’s house. His house was powered entirely by solar and wind power. I DJed a big solar installation and build party there. I was exuberant that I had only played clean-energy music! I felt liberated. There was no coal providing the electricity for the music I just played. After that experience, I wanted all the music I played to be powered by renewable energy. I thought, what better way to accomplish that than to make a portable DJ setup with the sun as its power source.

So I made a portable setup with the help of my friend, Chris Marstaller. We are working on fundraising for bigger solar panels now so that we can play longer gigs and teach more people about this wonderful energy source.

Tell us about your involvement with the Clinton Global Initiative.

To attend the Clinton Global Initiative º£½ÇÖ±²¥ is an honor that has been bestowed upon some of my other friends and colleagues. It is a place where student leaders, topic experts and celebrities come together to make innovative and real solutions to current global challenges. Each person makes a commitment and needs to follow and live up to that commitment to be invited back.

My commitment is to solar-powered DJing. I went to Washington º£½ÇÖ±²¥ in St. Louis and met some awesome people working toward their goals and a better world. I also got advice from knowledgeable speakers about how to better accomplish my mission. I plan on accomplishing the goals I set and going back to CGIU again this year.

How did it feel to hear about his shout-out to you in his spring commencement address?

It was surprising to have the president mention me…
That day I received numerous text messages saying “Bill just mentioned you!� and “I’m so proud of you!� The “I’m so proud of you…� text actually had nothing to do with the president mentioning me. That was from my mom – she just learned to text. But, these other texts referring to some Bill guy mentioning me perplexed me. I responded back, cautiously: “Bill who?� They answered, “Clinton!� My mom sent me another text, “Eat a healthy lunch!�

When I got home, I did a search to find out what my friends were on about. I found out and was ecstatic.

When you’re not working, what kind of music do you like to listen to?

I love listening to the Beatles, Beach Boys (saw them live – best concert I’ve been to), jazz, reggae, folk music like Jim Croce, and some other mellow types of music when I’m relaxing. When I’m not relaxing I like some rock and some roll, as well as electronic music. Madeon is still one of my favorites to listen to – always upbeat and good vibes and the dude is only 19. He made songs I still love today, when he was just 15.

What’s next for you?

I’m working on expanding my reach even further and giving presentations/music events at schools around the country. I am actively working on acquiring a car that can be powered by used vegetable oil. Then, the plan is to go out and do hands-on demonstrations of solar power across the US. I’ve just started an Indiegogo online fundraiser campaign that is accessible through my website, , and am making a video for it. I want to thank everyone for the help and support, especially my family and friends. I love you all!

Among the highlights is GreenWaves III, an electronic music festival sponsored by E.Co. and the Campus Activities Board. The festival will be held from noon to 11 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, at the UCF Arena.

GreenWaves will take the concept of a concert to the next level by incorporating a piezoelectric dance floor that converts dancing energy into electricity. The audience will contribute to the energy being used by the concert, and the crowd also will control lighting and special effects.

GreenWaves headliners include Alesso, DEV, 3Lau and KillaGraham. Tickets are free for UCF students and $20 for general admission. More information can be found at .

Other Earth Month events include:

-“Range, Furrow and Grove: Images of Florida Agriculture,� an exhibit of photographs, will be on display on the main floor of the UCF Library through Monday, April 30. The exhibit, a reflection on Florida’s agricultural system in the early 1900s, is sponsored by UCF Dining Services and other partners.

-Members of the sustainable student group I.D.E.A.S. will speak to youngsters at UCF’s Creative School for Children about growing fruits and vegetables at 9 a.m. Thursday, April 12.

-UCF Dining Services will sponsor its second “Food 4 Thought Week� April 16-20. Events, which are open to the public, will focus on sustainable food. Activities include a demonstration on how to make a solar oven, and a fair-trade coffee sampling event. Additional details are available at http://www.campusdish.com/en-US/CSS/UnivCentralFlorida.

-The Rosen College of Hospitality Management will host “Glowing Green� on Thursday, April 19. Students can plant herbs and flowers and decorate seed pots near the front gates from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Upcycling activities will be held in the Rosen College Community Center from 4 to 7 p.m.

To learn more about the “green� movement on campus, visit the .

Events will run from Monday, Nov. 14, through Friday, Nov. 18. They will include a film screening, guest speaker and panel discussion. Other highlights include a luncheon featuring locally-sourced ingredients and a tasting of responsibly-sourced coffee.

A full listing of events can be seen here.

“Food 4 Thought� is hosted by UCF Dining Services in partnership with the UCF Library, I.D.E.A.S. for UCF, E.Co, the UCF General Education Program Unifying Theme and Slow Food Orlando.

Throughout November, UCF Dining Services and the UCF Library also are hosting an exhibit that focuses on sustainable food initiatives at UCF, in the community and throughout the globe.

The green-minded food lovers exhibit includes books such as “Food Rules� by Michael Pollan and “Waste and Want� by Susan Strasser, and films such as “The Cove� and “A Crude Awakening.�

 Since the Adopt-A-Pond and Adopt-A-Road programs began at UCF in Spring 2008, 15 organizations have collected nearly 200 bags of trash and 150 bags of recyclable materials. They’ve dedicated more than 200 hours to cleaning up nine campus roads and six ponds. 

What they’ve removed has sometimes been surprising: grills, aluminum siding, chairs – and even tiki torches. 

“Students do an excellent job of removing all types of debris,� says Alaina Bernard, assistant director of Landscape and Natural Resources. “We greatly appreciate their help in keeping our campus beautiful and safe.� 

Landscape and Natural Resources sponsors the program to encourage students to support environmental stewardship on campus. The department provides all of the necessary supplies, including trash pickers, bags and gloves. UCF disposes of the trash and recycles other materials collected. 

There are currently five ponds and two roads available for organizations to adopt. 

The UCF chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity is the student organization that has volunteered with the program for the longest time. The fraternity regularly cleans a retention pond close to Lake Claire. 

Other participating organizations are Delta Phi Lambda, Delta Tau Delta, Future Technical Communicators, IDEAS, Lambda Theta Alpha, McNair Scholars, NORML, Phi Alpha Delta, Pre-med AMSA, Pre-Professional Medical Society, Sigma Lambda Beta, Society of Environmental Engineers and Theta Chi. 

To reward participating student organizations, UCF places signs on campus acknowledging their support. 

For more information, or to learn how organizations can adopt a pond or road, visit the Web site.