1. Engineering Technology What, Why, and Who?
Dan Burklo MSE, PhD
Dean – Math, Science, and Engineering Technology
Northwest State Community College

2. Engineering Technology What is it?

3. Lets start with… What is an Engineer?
Scientists see things and ask why... Engineers see things that never were, and ask why not?

4. Engineers & Engineering Technologists are individuals who use their analytical skills and knowledge of the sciences to improve people’s lives in meaningful ways.
Engineering & Engineering Technology are terms that are not only used interchangeably, but are also often confused with each other.
According to:
The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
“Engineering and engineering technology are separate but closely related professional areas that differ in curricular focus and career paths”

5. Curricular Focus Engineering programs
Often focus on theory and conceptual design
Typically requiring higher-level mathematics, including multiple semesters of calculus and calculus-based theoretical science courses.
Engineering Technology programs
Usually focus on application and implementation
Typically with algebra, trigonometry, applied calculus, and other courses that are more practical than theoretical in nature.

6. Differences between engineering and engineering technology are not always obvious and there is a great deal of overlap between the two fields of study.

7. Career Paths
Graduates from engineering programs often pursue entry-level work involving conceptual design or research and development.
Graduates of engineering technology programs often pursue positions in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, product design, testing, or technical services and sales.
Graduates of engineering technology and engineering programs complement each other in skills and interests, working in teams that produce an ever-increasing rate of technological advancement.

9. Engineering Technology Why? Macro and Micro Views

10. The Macro View
The United States dropped from ranking 3rd in 1975 to 17th (2004) in the proportion of 18 to 24-year old graduates in science and engineering.
(The National Science Board’s (NSB) 2004 Indicators Report)
Today, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the United States ranks 27th among developed nations in the proportion of college students receiving undergraduate degrees in science or engineering.
(Engineers How Are You Changing the Conversation,

11. Today…
In Asia, 21 % of university graduates are engineers.
In Europe, 12.5 % of university graduates are engineers.
In the United States, the number is just 4.5%.

12. Today…
Manufactures are more advanced, in the products they produce, the equipment and machines they use, and their processes.
As the innovation of technology occurs at ever increasing rates, those who have lead the innovation of the past are retiring at ever increasing rates.
This leads to high demand for those who have the ability to lead innovation, a demand for today’s engineering technologists.

13. The (Micro View) Considering…
High demand for engineering technologists
Low proportion of graduates in engineering technology
…you have opportunity for some of the highest paying and most rewarding careers. 
Year after year, engineering tops the list of majors with the highest average starting salary and job security.

14. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2012 & 2014

15. College Salary Report 2015-16,
Retrieved April 13, 2016.
3 of the top 5 highest paying associate degrees by salary potential are in engineering technology and construction areas.
13 of the top 15 highest paying bachelor degrees by salary potential are in the engineering areas, which include engineering technology.

16. Engineering Technology Who?

18. “…an extreme intuition about all things mechanical and electrical.”
While individuals attracted to Engineering Technology typically do have mechanical or electrical aptitude, they as well, are creative, investigative people interested in:
Exploring - searching for new information, methods, and materials, they may enjoying puzzles…
Discovering- ways to do and understand things better, they may enjoy figuring out how an object works.
Analyzing - ways to effectively solve problems, the may enjoy adapting to a new situation.
Thinking – discovering creative ways to innovate new technologies, they may enjoy taking an idea to reality
Knowing – always seeking to increase their knowledge

19. “utter social ineptitude” Not really…
Engineering Technologists are:
Adventurous, never bored, seeking out problems that need solved.
Creative, turning ideas into reality through the innovation of technologies.
Inquisitive, trying to figure out how things work, typically not just to understand it, but to improve it.
Visionaries, helping make a difference in the world.
Engineering Technologists get to:
Think “outside the box,” using their critical thinking and reasoning skills everyday
Work individually and collaboratively to solve problems and learn new things everyday.

20. Is it true… you must be an expert in math and science if you want to be an engineering technologist, and math and science is hard?
It would be more accurate to say you must have an appreciation for math and science.
Think of a carpenter who has several tools in his tool kit, he may not be an expert with each tool, but has an appreciation for what he can do with each of his tools.