Paper ID #42915Enhancing Pathways to Degree Completion and Career Success for EngineeringStudentsDr. Ali Zilouchian, Florida Atlantic University Dr. Ali Zilouchian is currently the Director of Applied Engineering Research Center and Program Director at Keiser University. He is also the founding Director of a $4.5 Million Dollars grant from DOE at Florida Atlantic University (2016-2022). ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2024 Enhancing Pathways to Degree Completion and Career Success for Engineering StudentsABSTRACTIn this session, a pilot program addressing
innovation [6].Additionally, camps like those at UW-Green Bay provide opportunities for campers to designtheir own video games or create robotic systems, making learning both fun and relevant [7] .This approach not only helps in reinforcing academic concepts but also prepares students forfuture careers in STEM fields, which are projected to grow significantly in the coming years.Moreover, STEM summer camps play a crucial role in addressing the gender and diversity gapsin STEM education. Programs are increasingly designed to be inclusive, encouragingparticipation from underrepresented groups. Initiatives like STREAMWORKS aim to ignitecuriosity and innovation among all students, regardless of their background [8]. By fostering aninclusive environment
University in School of Architecture, Division of Engineering Technology. Her primary research interest is on traffic operation and safety. Dr. Kobelo is currently working on studying traffic operation and safety in third world countries in particular Africa and how it affects their economy. She also has been working with minorities in the STEM fields and encouraging students to consider STEM related careers. She received her Master and PhD in Civil Engineering from Florida State University with her research focusing on safety analyses of non limited access roadways and interchanges respectively. She received her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Dar es Salaam and her major area of
, sustenance, and success ofrenewable energy projects depend on a large scale of enhancing renewable energy awareness andskills [2]. Bridging the skill gap on one hand will improve energy access and on the other handcreate new jobs, providing employment opportunities to millions.Employment in the wind industry in the United States increased 32% from 2015 to 2016 [1] and5.6% from 2016 to 2017 compared to 1.8% and 1.6% in non-farm employment growth nationally[3]. In the last few years wind energy technician has become the second fastest-growingoccupation in the United States [4], following solar installer at number one. Hence, an availableand qualified workforce is essential for any industry. For the workforce to grow, career optionsneed to be
Engineering Technology CurriculumAbstract Creation of micro-credentials in higher education allows practitioners to add a new skillfor career advancement or change, as well as working toward a degree by stacking them. After thecompletion of GE’s Wind Turbine Technical Training Program, Farmingdale State College facultycreated a " Wind Energy" micro-credential focused on Wind Turbine operation and design. Thisprogram covers an array of topics that mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering students cantake. While creating this micro-credential program, the College followed the success stories ofwind turbine professionals. Furthermore, Farmingdale State College was able to secure grants andbuild a state-of-the-art wind turbine technology
implementssustainable engineering projects to improve the quality of life for disadvantaged communities. Thisstudy investigates the impact of student participation in an EWB project in a disadvantagedcommunity in Guatemala aimed at improving access to clean water. Specifically, the studyexplores the skills gained, career aspirations, and understanding of global issues and sustainabledevelopment among the participating students. The project involved a collaboration between EWBstudents and community members to design and implement a sustainable water supply distributionsystem. A post-project questionnaire was administered to the student participants to assess theproject’s impact on their personal and professional development. The results indicate that theproject
overall planning, organizing,and time management. With that desire, we have reason to research if these project managementskills and concepts are being taught effectively enough to prepare students for senior-levelcapstone courses and future careers. Degree programs that do not heavily focus on managementprinciples may impact students' abilities to obtain manager-style roles. Outside the classroom,there are opportunities to obtain this experience, such as through internships and studyingabroad. Data collected stem from a self-efficacy questionnaire administered to 811 students andvoluntarily completed by 361. The survey was issued at the beginning of the semester for ninefall courses through 15 different majors and intended to take approximately
community.IntroductionEngineering Technology programs, including both two year and four year tracks, continue togrow. Engineering and Engineering Technology by the Numbers [3] published that there were14,312 degrees awarded in the year 2019 alone. These degrees come from 111 institutions thatgrant Engineering Technology degrees [3]. Despite the considerable number of degrees awardedin Engineering Technology disciplines, there is little research conducted on the experiences ofEngineering Technology students.Like Engineering Science degree earners, Engineering Technology students may test forprofessional engineering licensure in 35 states. Although the procedures in testing for a licensemay vary, Engineering Technology graduates may pursue careers as professional engineers
were evaluated through surveys at the start, mid-pointand end of the program by an external program evaluator. Through these numerous surveys wedocumented student self-assessment of their change in knowledge and skills. After a year in theprogram most students (usually seven out of eight or eight out of eight) reported the programinfluenced their career area and their level of confidence pursuing a career area. Students as acohort dramatically increased their confidence in how to prepare an academic poster, participatein a professional meeting, plan a controlled experiment, engage in an effective mentoringrelationship, find an internship that matched their interests and explore graduate degrees thatinterest them. At the start of the program
. Studentsvalue professors who are approachable, accessible, and have practical experience in the field.They appreciate staff who are helpful with administrative matters and technical support.Networking Opportunities. Students often recognize the importance of networking for theirfuture careers. They appreciate opportunities to interact with industry professionals, attendconferences, participate in internships, and engage with alumni.Flexibility and Adaptability. Given the rapidly evolving nature of technology and engineeringfields, students may value a learning environment that fosters adaptability. This could includeexposure to emerging technologies, cross-disciplinary learning, and a curriculum that can adaptto industry shifts.Safety and Compliance
moreformal training prior to the internship [11]. While this desire for more training often emphasizesworkplace or career-ready training, the present study seeks to further examine the reciprocalbenefits of internships in the field of bio-medical engineering, with an emphasis on providingproactive guidance, whether for the university coordinator, the instructor, the students, the sitesupervisor, or all of the above. Ultimately, the goal is to identify, design, and implementinternship experiences that maximize these reciprocal outcomes, regardless of modality.Virtual InternshipsPrior to the pandemic, there were no known studies that has examined how the importantoutcomes and learning objectives of a biomedical engineering technology/clinical
and Cognitive and Learning Sciences.Dr. Mark Bradley Kinney, West Shore Community College Dr. Mark Kinney is the Vice President of Academics and Student Services at West Shore Community College in Scottville, MI. He has a passion for rural higher education, leading him to conduct his dissertation on the various social roles these institutions play within their community. His career has been spent conducting both qualitative and quantitative research and evaluating the efficacy of a wide variety of organizational initiatives. This ultimately led Dr. Kinney to found All-Star Assessment, LLC, where he applies these research-based principles to the practice of thoroughly evaluating candidates for high-level leadership
Society for Engineering Education, 2023 Dissecting 3D Printing for Engineering Design Process Education of High School Preservice Teachers Abstract 3D printing (3DP) has been becoming more and more popular throughout the education systemfrom Kindergarten to University. High school is a critical period for students to decide theirimminent university major selection which in turn will impact their future career choices. Highschool students are usually intrigued by hands-on tool such as 3DP which is also an importantcontributor to other courses such as robotics. The recent years have seen more investment andavailability of 3DP in high schools, especially Career and
youcan elevate your career” .1. “Write an email with less than 150 words on setting up a meeting with your manager”. With thisscenario we want to continue the practice of having concise but meaningful words. We also want to helpour members to have proper email etiquette.2. “Record yourself having a conversation with your manager about issues you are seeing with yourteam”. Having the proper EQ to be able to bring up flaws in a team or flaws in a process the team is usingis important in having good team chemistry. We do not want our members to dwell on the flaws aperson or process may have, instead we want them to point out the problem and elaborate on thesolution.3. “Record yourself having a conversation with your manager to see where you can
and evaluation and special knowledge about STEM education in community colleges and four-year institutions. She presently serves as the external evaluator for seven NSF-funded projects. These include evaluation of two projects aimed at increasing participation in undergraduate research for students from minoritized populations and an ini- tiative to increase diversity in a predominantly white elite engineering college through collaboration with local community colleges. Eva is also evaluating an ATE project to recruit and prepare community college students for careers in bioscience and a project to train and support faculty to use Mastery-Based Grading in STEM courses. Past projects include evaluation of an NSF
to past students who participatedin a senior-year fluid mechanics course during spring semesters spanning 2019-2022 and wereengaged in a semester-long multidisciplinary service-learning project. The objective was toassess their current perception of the impact of the assignment, after several years have passedand they have moved into their professional careers (long-term impact). We also examined howthe opinions of all participants as a group may have evolved from when they were students tonow as working professionals. We compared their recent group responses with reflections theycompleted during the course (short-term impact). Class Setting The Fluid Mechanics course, part of a midsize university's Mechanical
- manufacturing-industrial-informatics[18] “Tri-C Smart Manufacturing Engineering Technology: Cleveland, Ohio.” Accessed: Feb. 20, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.tri-c.edu/programs/engineering- technology/smart-manufacturing/index.html[19] “Career Education: Smart Manufacturing Technology | Ohlone College.” Accessed: Feb. 20, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.ohlone.edu/career-education/smtech[20] “Reimagining manufacturing: Penn State New Kensington paving way for industry’s future | Penn State New Kensington.” Accessed: Feb. 20, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://newkensington.psu.edu/feature/reimagining-manufacturing-penn-state-new- kensington-paving-way-industrys-future[21] “New Kensington
ofengineering, preparing students for a broad spectrum of roles in research, design, anddevelopment. These programs provide a strong theoretical understanding of engineeringprinciples, allowing graduates to contribute to cutting-edge innovations and theoreticaladvancements. Ultimately, ET in both community colleges and traditional engineering programsplays a crucial role in the engineering landscape, each attracting many students with uniqueinterests and career aspirations. Whether one chooses to pursue an ET program, geared towardsapplied skills and immediate industry integration, or a traditional engineering program, focusedon comprehensive theoretical knowledge and diverse engineering applications, they will findrewarding opportunities in their
) frameworks to conduct research related to postsecondary education/learning, job transitions, remote work, and work-life integration with a focus on helping women and marginalized groups manage and develop thriving and sustainable careers. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 Two Years’ Comparison from Industries of the Future Research Experience for Preservice Teacher Summer Program AbstractThis paper reports two years’ experience from our implementation of the NSF project titled“Industries of the Future Research Experience for Preservice Teachers in STEM Settings.” Thegoal of the project is to host 10 high school preservice teachers each
range of careers in STEM fields such as engineering, computer science, medicine, andenvironmental science. Moreover, STEM education cultivates a mindset of curiosity and inquiry,encouraging students to explore the world around them and seek solutions to real-world challenges[2]. As technology continues to advance rapidly, individuals with STEM expertise are well-positioned to contribute to advancements that benefit society, from addressing environmentalissues to developing groundbreaking technologies. By promoting STEM education, futuregenerations are empowered to be active participants in the global knowledge economy, drivingprogress and ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future. Developing countries that adopt STEMeducation in their K-12
technologies and environmental changes.Step 4: By having categories, considering the number of respondents per category was beimportant. For instance, all the respondents should not only be from industry – there should bea balance between industry, government, and academia. Based on these numbers, theconsensus building function is equipped to attach confidence levels to the categorymodifications. For example, if the curriculum is for undergraduates with the goal of makingthem prepared for industry and government careers, then perhaps a larger number of industryand government respondents should be emphasized / weighed / required (requested for input).However, if the curriculum is geared towards PhD students, then a larger respondent pool ofacademics
9 Black 5 2 1 Hispanic/Latino 2 4 2Limitations and Future workTracking long-term enrollment outcomes post-participation is a future focus, necessitating longerstudies and collaboration with more institutions. Assessment of the program's impact on students'academic and career choices through follow-up surveys or interviews is vital, however, ensuringscalability and replicability across diverse educational settings requires refining the program'smaterials and implementation strategies. The team is planning to employ a more comprehensiveevaluation methods such as pre- and post-program assessments and
Engineering Education Employers have increasingly emphasized the need for engineering graduates to havetraining in communication to support effective collaboration across national, cultural, contextualand disciplinary boundaries [11]. In fact, technical communication training has been shown tohave a positive impact on a graduate’s ability to adjust to jobs and achieve career goals [12]. Atechnical communication elective has long been a requirement at top universities, but only afraction require instruction that is integrated within the engineering context [13, 14]. Success hasbeen shown when offering integrated experiences using appropriate tools, and in a diversecontext [15], but inclusion of this type of curriculum is not as common as
academic journey, Dr. Saharan contributed as an Assistant Teaching Professor at Penn State Behrend during the academic year 2019-20. Here, he played a pivotal role in developing new courses for the biomedical minor within the Mechanical Engineering department. Prior to his tenure in the United States, Dr. Saharan held the position of Assistant Professor (Instruction) in the Mechanical Engineering department at the National Institute of Technology Kurukshetra in India. Throughout his academic and research career, Dr. Saharan has made significant contributions in both teaching and research roles, spanning multiple countries and institutions. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2024
thestudents poorly prepared for careers after graduation. If they can plan on using CAS calculatorsat work, can do the work faster and more reliably with these tools, and can retain this abilitylonger, then we should allow their use.Consideration of the Proposal – Seeking Input; Revisions Made Due to Input from ConstituentsAs part of Student Outcome Evaluation and Assessment in 2020-1, the author examined aperformance indicator (PI) covering calculus from the upper level problem-solving course.Results were collected from the upper level problem-solving class for a section taught in Fall,2019. As documented with a standard department PI assessment and evaluation form inDecember, 2020, the results fell below the department standard, requiring action
ET in APSU offers ETAC of ABET accredited degree programs at the four-year bachelor's degree level. For people interested in gaining practical skills, this degree can bean ideal fit. With its focus on applications, it fits the person who has been in the workplace andnow needs a degree for advancement as well as others wanting a hands-on approach toengineering and technology [5]. The ET program prepares students for technical careers inmultiple concentrations (electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, and mechatronics) in a widerange of applications and provides leadership in developing solutions to industrial problems [6],[7], [8]. The primary method of instruction for courses in the various concentrations in the ETprograms is based on the