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The Well-Rounded Engineer
Among the most desired engineering graduates
are those who can engineer, analyze financial implications, and
speak and write well.
"Companies are increasingly concerned about
the character of the people they hire," said David Herrelko, the
New Engineering Leadership professor at the University of Dayton.
"We are working to produce graduates who are ready for work, but
also are ready for life. Engineers normally emerge from college
so focused on being the very best in a very tough discipline that
they are not picking up all the life skills they need to be completely
effective."
Herrelko said engineers need interpersonal
skills, an appreciation of the humanities, ethics and an ability
to cope with difficult people--"the real business of living."
What Herrelko and others in engineering education
are reluctant to do is add to the heavy academic load already being
carried by students.
"We, as a society, need people who can work
beyond the bench or the cube," he said. The University of Dayton
is responding by offering non-credit workshops, social gatherings
and civic involvement events. "Our students are helping kids learn
to fix their bikes and learn about bike safety. We have a course
in engineering ethics that is a cooperative effort with our business
program."
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| While the number of engineering students overall
has remained relatively stable, the number of aerospace engineering
students has declined since 1991. |
Schools also are pushing their cooperative
work/learning programs to bring new value. E-mail communities keep
students in touch with their universities and faculty to ensure
coordination between colleges and employers. Universities in Europe
are extending their work programs to a full year. It is good preparation
for college students who eventually take year-round, full-time jobs.
"We look for students who have a good technical
background, but who also have skills in languages," said Erik Pillet,
Airbus’ vice president for human resources. High-potential new college
graduates rotate through jobs at various locations throughout Europe,
and they conduct business the Airbus way--using English as the corporate
language. Graduates also are encouraged to understand technical
information in their native tongues, an additional European language,
as well as English.
To help meet the increasing demand for workers
at Airbus, the U.K.’s Cranfield University has redesigned some of
its programs. The College of Aeronautics and School of Mechanical
Engineering merged in December 2000 to form the School of Engineering.
This move combined the teaching staff and research capabilities
that previously spanned four different schools. Cranfield offers
an MBA in aeronautical management, and the program is ranked as
the best of its kind in the U.K by The Financial Times.
Colleges
Attract Students with Research Opportunities, Focused Curriculum
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AVIATION
WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY MARKET SUPPLEMENT
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