1 Students comments Lecture 3: Engineering – What you don’t learn in school & other issues Practices of Modern Engineering – Spring 2011

2 Comment Become involved in your professional society, community, etc. I felt embarrassed not knowing D. Wisler and his achievements. How, aside from reading the news and publications from the field, can we be more familiar with the movers and shakers of today? Practices of Modern Engineering – Spring 2011

3 Question 1.Teach this class 2. Include soft skills when teaching (my) technical courses 3. Learn from & listen to practicing engineers and employers If you could personally change education at A&M to help students in their future jobs, what would you do? Practices of Modern Engineering – Spring 2011

4 Comment I learned that industry is constantly changing and universities must “guess” what is going on out there and alter the teaching methodology accordingly. The university system cannot fully prepare us for what is out there but will “get our feet wet” so we have a slight understanding about what to expect when we get out. Practices of Modern Engineering – Spring 2011 the world adapt, adopt and improve good A university education prepares you for a life long journey!

5 Want to know Please use a ++ TAMU resource Deeper explanation of what is an objective and how to make an effective objective statement on a resume Practices of Modern Engineering – Spring &sn=undergrads How to resumes

6 Still want to know Your education is (your) business.: a) Invest now to obtain a return in the future b) Are you satisfying the customer (you)? c) Is my business growing? What can I do to improve it? etc. In the end – your dream job is the reward How to develop a business sense during undergrad? Practices of Modern Engineering – Spring 2011

7 Still want to know Good PRACTICE makes an EXPERT. Show you are an informed customer or prospective employee. We’ve covered what skills are important in engineering, but HOW can we develop these skills? What are the important things to include in an “elevator speech”? Practices of Modern Engineering – Spring 2011 DO NOT ask how to. BEGIN to practice and determine if the practice makes a difference Questions to ask to get to know business?

8 Want to know more Engineering practices & culture in Europe and Asia Jobs and opportunities in other countries. Volunteering too! Engineering standards elsewhere: safety and quality Work ethics in Asia, including unethical practices Practices of Modern Engineering – Spring 2011 Soon – we will know more. In the meantime read the news and recommended books

9 Want to know more Why is the USA behind other countries in technical areas if we produce the best engineers? Why S-Korean engineers make less? How do different cultures, specially childhood upbringing, affect generally what kind of engineers those cultures produce? Practices of Modern Engineering – Spring 2011 Please read “Cultures and organizations” and browse

10 My comments Let’s be more proactive! Tell me (and the class) what you are already doing to improve your soft skills, including ethical and professional issues, multiculturalism, etc. We are in this together! Prediction is very difficult, specially about the future. N Bohr Practices of Modern Engineering – Spring 2011 The best way to predict the future is to invent it. A. Kay I feel powerless