Keys to Success in Engineering Study CHAPTER 1 Keys to Success in Engineering Study

Chapter Overview You can do it! What is “success”? Goal setting Strengthening your commitment Keys to success in engineering study Models for viewing your education Structure your life situation

You Can Do It! Poorly prepared students have succeeded Highly qualified students have failed What makes the difference?

Be Aware of the Transition This explains why highly qualified students have failed – with only in-class learning one achieves only 20% in college, compared to 80% in high school Poorly prepared students have succeeded – they changed their attitudes and behavior to become successful engineering students

What is Success? Unless there is something you desire, plan and attempt, there is no success Success is the achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted.

Video Clip Tips to succeed in engineering http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSsVRHn5j70

Goal Setting How can you ever expect to get somewhere if you don’t know where you want to go? Goals give you something to measure yourself against Goals give your life direction Write down your goals

To become a successful engineering student is a process! Identifying a clear goal (graduation in engineering!) and developing a strong commitment to that goal are the essential first steps in the process of achieving success. - Talk about project, show handout

Strengthening Your Commitment Clarifying your goals Learning as much as you can about engineering Prepare a road map Don’t let adversity stop you Increased knowledge will bring increased motivation – be inquisitive about engineering (we’ll talk more about it next week!) You will face adversity-don’t be tempted to use it as an excuse to quit! Learn to say no. A measure of your potential to succeed is how you handle adversity

Learn from Failures You must be willing to risk failure From “Nine Commandments for the Entrepreneur”: You must be willing to risk failure You must passionately hate failure Persistence is a necessity, just as is the willingness to acknowledge defeat and move on Fall Down Seven Times, Get Up Eight! Japanese Proverb

The Good News Your success in the study of engineering is in your control How well you perform depends on your effort Completing a homework requires to devote adequate time and mental power You can choose to do it or choose not to do it

Keys to Success in Engineering Study Effort – “Work Hard” Approach – “Work Smart” Attitude – “Think Positively”

Effort is both Time and Energy We’ll talk later more about the best use of time, and how much time is sufficient BUT: like biking, the more you train the farther you will go Distance = Rate x Time Completing a task (i.e. traveling a distance) requires that you devote energy or mental power (rate) and spend time on the task.

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck Fixed mindset – Your qualities (intelligence, personality, moral character) are carved in stone. Creates an urgency to prove yourself over and over. Growth mindset – Your basic qualities are things you can cultivate and develop through your efforts. Creates a desire to grow and improve.

Comparison of Fixed vs. Growth Mindset Fixed Mindset Growth Mindset Challenges Avoid challenges; stick to what you know well Embrace challenges; overcoming challenges makes you stronger, smarter Obstacles Give up easily when you encounter obstacles Persist in the face of setbacks; failure is an opportunity to learn Effort See effort as unpleasant and fruitless;  the need for effort is a sign of low ability See effort as the path to growth and mastery Criticism Ignore useful criticism; see negative feedback as an insult Seek feedback and learn from criticism Success of Others Feel threatened by the success of others Find lessons and inspiration in the success of others

Positive attitudes produce positive results Positive attitudes produce positive results. Negative attitudes produce negative results. Ask: Do you agree with this statement?

These are attitudes I lack confidence in my ability to succeed in engineering study. I have a tendency to sabotage my success. I tend to blame others for my failures. I don’t see any need to change myself or to grow or develop. I’m generally unwilling to seek help from others. I tend to procrastinate, putting off the things I need to do. I tend to avoid doing things that I don’t enjoy. I hate to read I avoid contact with my professors outside the classroom. I prefer to study alone rather than with other students. Ask: Who can identify themselves with at least one of these statements? <click> Ask: Are these positive or negative attitudes? Ask: Who thinks you are in control or that you can change your attitude?

Summary of the Success Process Step 1: Setting goals Do I want to be an engineer? Step 2: Strengthening commitment to goals How important is it to me to become an engineer? Step 3: Changing negative attitudes What attitudes will interfere with my goal of becoming an engineer? Step 4: Changing non-productive behaviors What do I need to do differently to achieve my goal of becoming an engineer?

Models for Viewing Your Education Attributes Model – What knowledge, skills, and attitudes will you have when you graduate? Employment Model – What do employers look for in new engineering graduates? Student Involvement Model – What can you do to ensure that you get a quality education?

No Deposit, No Return Your education represents a significant deposit you are making in yourself Your return-on-investment will be in direct relation to what you put in Effort Education Return

Attributes Model – ABET Engineering Criteria 2000 An ability to apply knowledge of math, science, and engineering An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams

ABET Engineering Criteria 2000 Attributes (continued) An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility g. An ability to communicate effectively h. A broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context

ABET Engineering Criteria 2000 Attributes (continued) A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in, life-long learning A knowledge of contemporary issues k. An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice

Employment Model Communicates effectively in a variety of different ways, methods, and media Possesses the ability to think both critically and creatively Shows initiative and demonstrates a willingness to learn Functions effectively on a team Possesses the ability to think both individually and cooperatively Demonstrates an understanding of engineering, science, and mathematics fundamentals Demonstrates an understanding of information technology, digital competency, and information literacy Maintains a positive self-image and possesses positive self-confidence  

Astin’s Student Involvement Model Time and energy devoted to studying Time spent on campus Participation in student organizations Interaction with faculty members Interaction with other students

Structure Your Life Situation Living Arrangements Part-Time Work Influence of Family Influence of Friends Other influences?

Group Discussion Exercise Ability vs. Effort Divide into groups of five or six and discuss the following issue: Do you believe that people succeed because of their ability, That some people “have it” while others don’t? Or do you believe that people succeed because of their effort? Which do you think is more important: ability or effort? Why? Select a group leader to keep the discussion on topic and a recorder who will report out for the group

Alternate Group Discussion Exercise - Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset People generally have one of two “mindsets” Fixed mindset - You believe your talents and abilities are set in stone—either you have them or your don’t Growth mindset – Talents can be developed and great abilities are built over time Discuss the implications of having each of these mindsets for success in engineering study Appoint a group leader to keep on topic and a reporter to report out on what was discussed

Assignments due by Thursday 02/05 Read Chapter 2 of the textbook Note your opinions of the sections in your journal Note questions, issues or perspectives you have/gained Prepare a statement, your statement, to the question: What is engineering? Write this statement in your journal. Homework #1: a) List ten benefits of graduating in engineering. Rank them in order of importance to you b) Graduating with a BS degree in engineering: How important is that goal for you? How can you make it even more important?