NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang took a different approach during his recent appearance at CES in Las Vegas. Instead of focusing on artificial intelligence chips or market strategies, he chose to talk about engineering itself. Huang accepted the prestigious IEEE Medal of Honor in a small room at the Fontainebleau Hotel, delivering a personal message to a modest crowd.
A Personal Reflection on Engineering
Standing before several dozen people, Huang explained why he originally chose engineering as his career path. He revealed that decades later, he still considers it one of the most meaningful professions available. This speech came just one day after Huang delivered NVIDIA's main CES keynote, which attracted a packed audience and global attention.
The setting for this talk was completely different. There were no slides showcasing GPUs or AI platforms. No new product announcements filled the presentation. Just Huang, a microphone, and honest reflections about the journey that brought him to this moment.
Simple Beginnings, Unexpected Outcomes
"I went into engineering because it was math-heavy and it was science-heavy," Huang stated clearly. He explained that he genuinely enjoyed solving mathematical and scientific problems, making engineering feel like a natural fit for his interests.
That straightforward motivation established the foundation for everything that followed. In an era when many technology leaders present their careers as carefully planned journeys, Huang's honesty felt refreshingly direct. He liked the work, so he continued doing it.
Huang shared another personal story that drew quiet laughter from the audience. He talked about selecting Oregon State University primarily because it was located close to his home. There was no grand vision behind this decision, no long-term strategy guiding his choice.
That seemingly simple choice led him to meet his lab partner, who eventually became his wife. Looking back, Huang appeared genuinely amused by how unpredictable that path turned out to be. "That's not a game plan that you can reasonably imagine," he remarked with a smile.
Engineering as Problem-Solving
As Huang shifted his focus back to the engineering profession itself, his tone became more deliberate. He described engineering as the practice of applying first principles from science and mathematics to real-world problems. Not abstract challenges, but actual, stubborn, often messy problems that need practical solutions.
According to Huang, engineering involves breaking down enormous challenges into smaller, manageable parts that can actually be solved. The profession also demands resilience, he emphasized. Problems do not surrender easily. Solutions require time, patience, and the willingness to experience repeated failures.
He stressed that technological progress rarely emerges from sudden inspiration alone. True advancement comes from steady work, collaboration, and the determination to continue when things do not work initially. Or even after multiple attempts.
In Huang's perspective, this persistent approach enables engineering to transform ideas that once seemed impossible into everyday realities.
The Most Noble Profession
Near the conclusion of his remarks, Huang made his most direct statement of the entire speech. "This profession is the most noble of all," he declared firmly.
This statement did not sound like a prepared slogan or a catchy soundbite. It carried the weight of a conclusion reached after decades of practical experience. For Huang, engineering earns this distinguished label because it creates tools that extend human capabilities. Tools that endure. Tools that others can build upon for future innovations.
Earlier in his speech, Huang noted that computers have become "the single most important tool of humanity." Engineering made this transformation possible, even though nobody could have fully predicted where this technological journey would ultimately lead.
Acknowledging Industry Standards
Huang also used this moment to acknowledge IEEE, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, which presented him with the Medal of Honor. He praised the organization's crucial role in establishing technical standards that quietly maintain the technology world's cohesion.
Joking about Wi-Fi standards, he said, "You have to think about IEEE when you think about 802.11." This technical reference probably would not resonate with general audiences, but it connected perfectly with this engineering-focused crowd.
Huang pointed out that industrial standards might not seem glamorous, but they remain absolutely essential. These standards form the fundamental structure upon which the entire computer industry builds its innovations. Without them, technological progress would become fragmented and fragile.
A Grounded Message in a Flashy Environment
During a week filled with flashy demonstrations and bold promises about artificial intelligence, Huang's smaller speech stood out for distinctly different reasons. It felt grounded, personal, and almost old-fashioned in its sincerity.
There was no apparent attempt to impress the audience with technological marvels. Instead, Huang offered a reminder that behind every technological breakthrough stand people who chose to work through difficult problems, often without knowing exactly where their efforts would lead.
For students, engineers, and anyone building a career in technology, Huang's message proved both simple and reassuring. You do not need a perfect plan from the beginning. What you truly need is curiosity, discipline, and the willingness to keep solving problems as they arise.
Sometimes, Huang suggested, these qualities turn out to be more than sufficient for creating meaningful impact through engineering work.
