ENGR 111 Lifelong Learning Reading: Chapters 9, 10, Class notes

Lifelong Learning As an engineer, learning never stops Lifelong learning  Technology constantly changing  Applications of existing technology changing In a fast changing field of EE/CE, lifelong learning a must  Imagine ECEs of 30 years ago – punched card readers, no PCs, no Internet, just appearing for few elite

Learning Habits Important to form good habits of learning  Will sustain you during your career  Keep you from becoming obsolete and outsourced Learning styles depend on individual preferences  Books, trade magazines, journals, hands-on experimentation, classroom, peers, Internet

Professional Societies Professional Societies (ACM/IEEE)  Publish specialized journals in individual fields ACM/IEEE Transactions on Networking IEEE Transactions on Computers IEEE Transactions on Computer-Aided Design IEEE Transactions on Communications …  Publish overview, easy-to-read magazines IEEE Computer, Network, Design and Test, Multimedia, Internet Computing, Spectrum  See ieee.org and acm.org for complete list

Other Media Trade magazines  EETimes, Electronic Design, … Popular press  PC World, Wired, Macworld,….  Newspaper technology sections Patent databases Internet – find almost everything  But quality is highly variable  Google ≠ reality!

Professional Meetings Technical Conferences and Trade Shows  Most organizations have regular conferences  Allow you to learn about new technology/ideas  Allow you to network with others in the field Important for job search, recognition and growth  Allow you to see new company products  Some specific examples ACM Siggraph - graphics IEEE Infocom - networking IEEE ITC – integrated circuit testing …

Other Learning Outlets Short courses and tutorials  Most companies provide opportunities for continuous learning  Internal – CIS TrainingCIS Training  External – vendor courses, training companies  Tutorials often offered day before or after conferences Seminars  Easiest way to keep track of new technologies, ideas, work of others…

Learning – Local Professional Societies IEEE Student branch at A&MStudent branch  IEEE other than Computer Society Texas A & M Computing SocietyA & M Computing Society  IEEE Computer Society and ACM A&M IEEE Communications Society Join them!!

Learning – Local Resources Evans library Faculties in different departments Classrooms/labs Internet ACM Digital library IEEE Electronic library See the complete list of library resourcescomplete list of library resources

Learning – Electronic Resources Electronic resources are convenient  Easy to access  Easy to search But…  Many only go back to 1988  Lots of relevant research was done prior to 1988!  Have to still look at paper books, journals, proceedings

Creativity – Part of Engineering Design Process Most creative work builds on earlier work Initially intimidating, easier over time No single path for being creative Formulate problem well Think of solutions with no constraints  Willful suspension of disbelief, no censorship Examine solutions based on constraints, requirements etc.

Creativity What if… Ideas may take a long time to come to fruition Satellites were born out of science fiction by Arthur C. Clarke Robot construction follows Asimov’s LawsAsimov’s Laws Serendipity plays a role – Newton’s apple May not be able to predict the impact or outcome – transistors, ICs, PCs, Internet…

Teamwork Most engineers work on medium-large projects Part of a team  Half dozen to hundreds of engineers  Each works on a small piece of the project Have to be able to work with others  Oral and written communications CRITICAL!!!  Major disasters often caused by miscommunication Learn from others about their expertise Common good of the project, individual success/satisfaction/recognition

Leadership – The Aggie Way Learn to lead projects over time Important if you have new ideas/products Sometimes only way to see things to fruition More responsibility, challenging Convince people of ideas, get funding, execute the project, ensure technology transfer, provide follow-on projects

Leadership/Entrepreneurship Interesting ideas may not be immediately good for the company  Minis against mainframes, PCs against minis May have/want to form your own company to succeed  Many success stories in EE/CE fields Innovation leads to obsolescence Lead, stay ahead of technology curve Take advantage of TAMU leadership opportunities!

Summary Engineers continue learning through life Learn to learn Many resources available  No need to feel overwhelmed  Fun and challenging Learn to work in teams, learn to lead