Engineering class strives for professionalism
For most graduating engineering students, post-college can often seem overwhelming and even frightening. Yet, one Penn State Professor aims to educate students on developing skills to assertively dive into the job market.
Anita Persaud, associate director of the Multicultural Engineering Program at Penn State has created the class, ENGR 497G: “Career Development Seminar,” with the goal of preparing engineering students for the real world. Although this course could apply to any job, Persaud has designed the course specifically for engineering students. She incorporates guest speakers from companies like BP, Harris Corp., and W.L. Gore & Associates. With direct exposure to the corporate world, students get to focus on a sense of professionalism that is needed in their career.
Soon to be in its third semester, Persaud’s course “…offers training in communication skills, leadership strategies, team-building skills, personal management, business etiquette and knowledge about the corporate culture.” Students are exposed to methods used in the industry including telephone conference calls, Skype, Elluminate, dining etiquette, and self-promotion. What’s more, the students have the opportunity to sit in on a presentation conducted by Dr. Bob Gochnour from BP America called “Why Do I Want to Hire You?”
Thousands of dollars are spent each semester on student engineers to be educated and refined in the technical skills essential to their field. Without professional skills, students limit themselves, being held back from opportunities before them. According to the course description, Persaud’s seminar “…is the link to future success in engineering because it bridges their college education with careers in engineering industry.”
If only all colleges were to engineer this type of “bridge” for students.
Kerriann commented:
Hey hey hey, take a gadenr at what' you've done
Professional Engineer commented:
Professionalism includes knowing how to write well. Often, engineers disparage the need for proper writing skills. I was one of them. Although I am not perfect, my use of English is polished. I find it disappointing that some engineers (especially younger engineers) are PROUD of their poor writing skills. Nothing shouts "unprofessional" louder than sloppy writing and lack of self editing. USE SPELL CHECK AND DON'T ADD MIS SPELLINGS TO THE DICTIONARY. This group includes those in America who claim as an excuse, "English as a second language". I have worked with European engineers who use English as a second or third language. They write very professionally with few errors and would come off as professional even among the crowd who grew up speaking English.
I_am_an_EE commented:
Please explain to me what a "Multi-cultural engineer" does, I have no idea what that means.
mrtassociates@verizon.net commented:
Jennae,
I have read that Henry Ford said "A engineer can do with a nickel, what a fool can do with a dollar!" Intern with the best in your field of interest, not the biggest. Do what you love to love what you do. You will be rewarded Monday - Thursday...Melvyn R. Tichy
mrtassociates@verizon.net commented:
Jennae,
I have read that Henry Ford said "A engineer can do with a nickel, what a fool can do with a dollar!" Intern with the best in your field of interest, not the biggest. Do what you love to love what you do. You will be rewarded Monday - Thursday...Melvyn R. Tichy
mrtassociates@verizon.net commented:
Jennae,
I have read that Henry Ford said "A engineer can do with a nickel, what a fool can do with a dollar!" Intern with the best in your field of interest, not the biggest. Do what you love to love what you do. You will be rewarded Monday - Thursday...Melvyn R. Tichy
ali commented:
in the New York Times article of dec 7 2010, China scored the highest in science, math and reading, with the USA almost at the bottom.
It was mentioned in the article that China has an education-oriented culture in schools, whereas in the US schools, more emphasis is placed on sports.
www.ensys.net
rpcy commented:
I don't see the most important issue mentioned at all: attitude. We've raised the last two generations of kids to think they deserve a trophy for just playing, and that any company would be honored just to have their presence. Kids: it ain't so. Universities can teach you how electrons behave, but if you want a job (and want to prosper in your job if you get one) you have to unlearn all that self-esteem junk, realize that for a couple of years you will be getting paid far more than you're worth, and buckle down and work your butt off. That's an attitude worth having and worth teaching.
