Chapter 21, 22. Engineering Work Experience

Chapter 21 Engineering Work Experience 21.1 A Job and Experience    “How do you get experience without a job, and how do you get a job without experience?” Graduate schools and employers look for experiences outside the classroom Incorporating career experience is a worthwhile consideration   May extend college to 6 years Many Economic shifts have happened in a college students lifetime       1980-1983: 1983-1986: 1988-1994: 1994-2001: 2001-2003: 2004: Major Recession Revival of U.S. Economy Restructuring of Corporate America Vigorous Rebound of Economy Recession Signs of improvement in the labor market for engineers 21.1 A Job and Experience  In good and bad times employers look for Engineers with job-related experience    Engineers require less training Faster results Many different Experiences are available 21.2 Summer Jobs   Even jobs such as baby-sitting and mowing lawns is a place to start All jobs help develop basic employable skills    Provide stepping stone to better, more career related jobs Skills include teamwork, communication, and problem solving Help you discover what working environments you like 21.3 Volunteer      Especially useful to freshmen and sophomores to gain experience Generally volunteer positions are with non-profit organizations Not a paid experience Useful in developing skills Able to experiment with different career related fields 21.4 Supervised Independent Study  Designed for the advanced undergraduate      Preparatory for grad school or a career in Research Some are paid and others award credit Provides a unique experience Challenging in many different areas To learn more  Talk to professors that share similar interests 21.5 Internships  Paid or unpaid experience for a set period of time       Sometimes they support other engineers Other times they are given individual projects No official evaluation or credit given Short term projects   Usually during the summer No obligations for future employment Obtain a description of these projects prior to employment to assure it is of interest Great for students with time, curriculum, and location constraints 21.6 Co-operative Education    Cooperative Education is often the preferred form of experimental Learning Co-ops are considered to be academic and are administered by the college Assignments are directly related to field of study   Detailed job descriptions are used to create the best possible matches School and work are closely integrated  Alternating terms of school with work at the same company   Projects become more extensive throughout the experience Term in school followed by a term at work followed by a term at school and so on 21.6 Co-operative Education  Parallel co-ops is an alternative    Sometimes a longer alternating approach is used     Students work two consecutive semesters then attend class for a semester or two Allows for longer projects Some schools use all three methods Co-ops are rarely summer only   Students are partially enrolled in classes and spend 20 to 25 hours at work Difficulties arise in allowing ample time for both areas Break between work assignments is too long Requires a three or four semester commitment 21.6 Co-operative Education  Advantages for Students      Consideration for employment and grad school Improved technical skills Helps determine career path Excellent pay Advantages for Employers     Recruiting Co-op students is more cost efficient Many students accept full time positions with their employer More diverse and dedicated students Students free up other engineers and bring in fresh approaches 21.6 Co-operative Education  Advantages for Schools      Integrates theory and practice Keeps faculty informed of trends in industry Creates relationships between schools and businesses Improves a schools reputation Other Benefits      Communication Skills Networking Self-discipline Management Experience Interactions with a variety of people 21.7 Which is Best for You?  Some Questions to help determine which is best for you     Am I willing to sacrifice convenience for the best experience? How flexible can I be? How committed do I want to be? Seek out advice from professors, academic advisors, and campus placement officers Chapter 22 Connections: Liberal Arts and Engineering 22.1 What are Connections?  Connections exist between engineering and liberal arts       Literature History Music Art Social studies Philosophy 22.1 What are Connections?    Look closely at what engineers really are and what they really do “liberal” comes from liberty, so that liberal arts means “works befitting a free man” Need for a general education   Developed because people have a need for a strong, open mind in addition to a specialty in order to be well-rounded Not trapped by cultural blind-spots 22.2 Why Study Liberal Arts?  Liberal arts help improve your broadness    Look in many directions at once Questions about areas that do not have pre-set answers Expected to be a leader 22.2 Why Study Liberal Arts?  The Arts Improve:  Your Perspective   Your Balance   See the “big picture” Practice dealing with a variety of diverse ideas Your People Skills  Be aware of things that modern tendencies avoid or neglect 22.2 Why Study Liberal Arts?  The Arts Improve:  Your Sense of Duty and Responsibility   Elevate, integrate, and unify the standards of the profession Fulfill your duty in life, so society respects you more