Collection

2025 ASEE -GSW Annual Conference

Authors

Raj Desai, Midwestern State University

the collegiate setting,building their STEM identities through meeting and interacting with future professors and peers thatmay have similar career goals, allowing them to effectively create and integrate into a supportive Proceedings of the 2025 ASEE Gulf-Southwest Annual Conference The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX Copyright  2025, American Society for Engineering Education 2community system have shown that participants in these programs are twice as likely to persist andsucceed in STEM degree programs. During these programs, students are given the resources tobegin to learn how to successfully

Collection

2025 Northeast Section Conference

Authors

Terri A. Camesano; Elizabeth Wilson; Valerie Smedile Rifkin

economy [1]. The need for lifelongabout how to scale up and further support the AC market. This learning and training opportunities is growing as employeespaper explores the structure, impact, and lessons learned from find ways to adapt and respond to the rapidly changingthis initiative, highlighting its potential for improving workforce industrial landscape. Dede and Richards discuss the need for adevelopment, corporate training, and career progression. The “60 year curriculum,” in which higher education must shift topaper also examines challenges such as audience identification, serve the needs of students over the course of their lives [2].pricing models, and marketing strategies, providing insights into

Conference Session

Track 2: Technical Session 4: Research- and Practice-Informed Insights for Recognizing Rurality in Engineering Education

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Malle R Schilling, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Jacob R Grohs, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Tagged Topics

2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

NSF CAREER grant and reallyinspired my own research which seeks to connect rural education andengineering education through a specific focus on partnership and engagement.So we’re coming to this paper from a lens informed by research and practice, andI’m also a rural student, so I’m excited I get to be here to talk to you all moreabout this today. 3 4 (HOLD FOR AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT) What is rural? • Question 1: What most aligns with your current job/role? • Research, outreach and engagement, practice, policy

Conference Session

Track 7: Technical Session 1: Agriculture & Nutrition for Girls While Encouraging Leadership & Stem-Enrichment (ANGELS) Program

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Sandra C Affare, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; Marissa McElrone, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; Rachelle Pedersen, Texas Tech University

Tagged Topics

2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

Tennessee-Knoxville. Dr. Affare served as a Project Engineer and Project Manager at Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) where she managed research and development projects for TVA’s Transmission Technologies and eventually became a Senior Compliance Analyst until retirement in July 2014. After retirement, Dr. Affare was a project management consultant in transportation and logistics for a few years until she began her second career in higher education. As an engineering professor, her research focuses on increasing the number of women in STEM with an emphasis in minorities in Engineering. Over the past 3 years at UTC, Dr. Affare has established the reputation as the go to person with respect to multidisciplinary and

Collection

2025 ASEE -GSW Annual Conference

Authors

Mengqi Monica Zhan, University of Texas at Arlington; Grace Ellen Brannon, The University of Texas at Arlington; Liwei Zhang, The University of Texas at Arlington; Frank K. Lu, The University of Texas at Arlington

Tagged Topics

Diversity

experiences expose students toaerospace research projects and help them build a supportive community of peers and mentors,which is critical for their persistence in graduate programs and/or careers. The impact of suchprograms extends beyond skill development, as they also play a crucial role in fostering self-efficacyand sense of belonging in the aerospace engineering community. This is particularly important giventhat URM students often face additional challenges, including imposter syndrome and a lack ofrepresentation among faculty and industry professionals [1]. Furthermore, the intersectionality ofmarginalization based on ethnicity and social class compounds the challenges faced by URMstudents, making it essential to consider multiple dimensions

Collection

2025 Northeast Section Conference

Authors

Mohamed Elwakil; Tooran Emami Ph. D.

student learning. Using a academic backgrounds and career trajectories.mixed-methods approach, we collected data from 35 students (25from DB and 10 from EEM) through pre- and post-study surveys, The significance of integrating prompt engineering intoskills assessments, and qualitative feedback. Key findings reveal curricula spans disciplines. In computational fields, it enhancesthat students in both courses reported an improved understanding technical workflows such as code generation or databaseof AI and proficiency in prompt engineering. Students in the DB optimization, while in engineering or applied sciences, itcourse, which has a

Conference Session

Track 6: Technical Session 2: Empowering Hispanic Engineers' Success Towards Graduate Education with Hybrid Mentorship

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Federico Cifuentes-Urtubey, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Paola Alexandra Baldaguez Medina, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez; Julie E Lorenzo, University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign; Natasha Mamaril, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Tagged Topics

2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 Empowering Hispanic Engineering Students for Success in Graduate Education with Hybrid MentorshipAbstractStudents from underrepresented communities in STEM often face challenges of cultural biasesand systemic barriers that can hinder their academic and professional advancement. As thesestudents navigate their academic journey, mentorship is key to providing them with guidance,support, and a sense of belonging to overcome such hurdles. Faculty are often a source ofmentorship for setting academic and career goals, serving as a role model for attaining a career inSTEM, and finding research opportunities. However, they may not always have the bandwidth todirectly mentor

Conference Session

Track 2: Technical Session 1: Pulled In or Pushed Out? Underrepresented Minority High School Students Describe Socio-environmental Factors Shaping STEM Persistence and Post-Secondary Plans

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Alexis Grace Daniels, Johns Hopkins University; Rachel E Durham; Michael L Falk, The Johns Hopkins University; Alisha Nicole Sparks, The Johns Hopkins University; Emily J Yanisko, American University

Tagged Topics

2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

future. Her research focuses on underrepresented minority youth’s access to and persistence in STEM pathways. She holds a B.A. in Anthropology and Community Health and an M.S. in Occupational Therapy from Tufts University.Rachel E Durham Rachel E. Durham (PhD, Sociology & Demography, Pennsylvania State University) is an Associate Professor in the School of Education at Notre Dame of Maryland University, and a Senior Fellow with the Baltimore Education Research Consortium (BERC). With a background in sociology of education, education policy, and demography, her research focuses on graduates’ transition to adulthood, career and college readiness, community schools, and research-practice partnerships.Prof

Collection

2025 ASEE North Central Section (NCS) Annual Conference

Authors

Leslie Hopkinson, West Virginia University; Lynette Michaluk, West Virginia University; Lizzie Santiago, West Virginia University

-interactionsupport, iii) extra-curricular support, iv) peer-interaction support, v) professional developmentsupport, and vi) additional support. Lee et al. [3] then developed the STEM Student Perspectivesof Support Instrument (STEM-SPSI) to measure the perceptions of a student population inSTEM. The instrument includes twelve factors of student support (academic advising support,academic peer support, faculty support, STEM faculty connections, student affairs support, out-of-class engagement, STEM peer connections, general career development, cost-of-attendancesupport and planning, and diversity and inclusion).This work-in-progress paper describes the development of a survey to examine the connectionsbetween engineering identity and engineering student

Collection

2025 Northeast Section Conference

Authors

Mashtura Rahman; Shivansh Sharma; Michael Ventourat; Julianne Torreno; Nealesh Guha; David Lee; Alec Kisselev; Tak Choi David Cheung; Sunil Dehipawala; Harsha Rajapakse

could radiation facilities in student research. Light sources such asconsist of sample preparation, spectroscopy dye lasers pumped by nitrogen lasers offer oscilloscope datainstrumentation, data science, interpretation, billing, and collection experience. A spectrometer from 450 nm to 700 nmreporting to clients. The sustainability aspect is discussed in offers visible alignment experience.terms of future synchrotron radiation projects in a start-up techcompany and student career training in materials science and III. SPECTROSCOPY DATA ANALYSISengineering, instrumentation, and AI-assisted data science

Collection

2025 ASEE -GSW Annual Conference

Authors

Roy Uzoma Lan; Chinedu Okonkwo, The University of Texas at San Antonio; Ibukun Gabriel Awolusi, The University of Texas at San Antonio; Jiannan Cai

needs, particularly in a technical and professional disciplinesuch as construction. The development and application of sustainable construction materials offer aplethora of benefits in the modern construction industry. Several eco-friendly construction materials,such as earthen masonry, can provide tremendous benefits and inexpensive solutions to theincreasing cost of building and energy. This study examines the impact of the implementation ofsustainability content in a course on students’ perception of their knowledge, confidence, andrelevance to their careers. A new course module was developed to educate students about variousconcepts, including the constituents of earthen masonry, their properties, quality assurance, andtesting, as well as

Collection

2025 Rocky Mountain Section Conference

Authors

Randy Hurd; Sulabh Khadka; Dustin Grote

(Ackermann, 1991). The summer programs provide varieties of activities for participatingstudents, including academic support, study skills, career counseling, parent involvement,developing relationships on campus, computer literacy, and partnerships with business,communities, and K-12 educators (Kezar, 2000). Many prior studies have found that STEMsummer bridge programs facilitate the transition of students from high school to university,helping them improve their academic performance and persistence rates in STEM-designatedprograms of studies. Although summer school benefits all students, studies show that theseprograms have a greater impact on those from middle-class families than those fromunderprivileged backgrounds (Copper et al., 2000). Based

Collection

2025 ASEE -GSW Annual Conference

Authors

Fiona Litiku, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology; Curtis John O'Malley, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology; Matthew Luis Tyrrell, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Tagged Topics

Diversity

1Robotic Opportunities for Rural Communities: Building a STEM Pipeline for K-12 Students Fiona Litiku, Thomas Pierson, Matthew Tyrrell, Dr. Curtis O’Malley Mechanical Engineering Department New Mexico Institute of Mining and TechnologyAbstractThe Mechanical Engineering Department at New Mexico Tech hosts a robot combat competitionannually, with attendance from K-12 schools across the state. The goal of the competition, as partof the mechanical engineering outreach program, is to build students' interest in engineering androbotics while developing a pathway to a career in STEM. As attendance for the competitionincreases each year, students and teachers get more

Collection

2025 ASEE North Central Section (NCS) Annual Conference

Authors

Susie Huggins, West Virginia University; Robin A.M. Hensel, West Virginia University; Manar Yamany, West Virginia University; Lizzie Santiago, West Virginia University; Akua B. Oppong-Anane, West Virginia University; Atheer Almasri, West Virginia University; Todd R Hamrick, West Virginia University; Carter Hulcher, West Virginia University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

,” thisevent fosters student engagement and introduces first-year students to opportunities that broadentheir participation and enhance their academic success in engineering. By providing a platformfor student organizations to highlight their work and recruit new participants, EngineerFESTencourages peer learning and interdisciplinary interaction, enhancing the educational experience.Representatives from Career Services, Libraries, Study Abroad, and Student Services participateto inform students about available resources and networking opportunities. Additionally, studentsfrom varied backgrounds are made to feel welcomed and included, fostering a sense of belongingthrough the active participation of organizations such as the Society of Women Engineers

Collection

2025 Rocky Mountain Section Conference

Authors

Abdirahman Abdi; Phil Courey; Malinda S Zarske

and long-term benefits students gain from the program, (c) anyunexpected outcomes that enhance student learning and development, and (d) how qualitative andquantitative data together provide a comprehensive understanding of the student experience.Preliminary findings suggest that the program fosters a strong sense of belonging, enhancesstudents’ academic confidence, and prepares them for career success through structuredmentorship, networking opportunities, and well-being resources. As the study progresses, insightsgathered will inform recommendations for strengthening the Lattice Scholars Program and guidingsimilar initiatives at other institutions. This work-in-progress research contributes to the broaderunderstanding of how integrated

Conference Session

Track 6: Technical Session 3: Breaking Barriers: Unveiling the Journeys and Triumphs of Faculty Women of Color in STEM Academia

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Kemesha Gabbidon, University of South Florida; Saundra Johnson Austin, University of South Florida

Tagged Topics

2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

. Her current research is aimed at investigating intersectional stigma and how it affects HIV-related outcomes in Tampa Bay by applying participatory qualitative methods. Dr. Gabbidon also teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in Psychology including Cultural Competence, Program Evaluation, and Health Psychology.Dr. Saundra Johnson Austin, University of South Florida Dr. Saundra Johnson Austin has dedicated her career to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging of students and professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and careers. Her research is grounded in the effective implementation of STEM curricula in urban middle schools. Johnson Austin began her

Collection

2025 ASEE North Central Section (NCS) Annual Conference

Authors

Nathan Galinsky, West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Tagged Topics

Diversity

studentschoosing alternate paths by encouraging students to pursue STEM-focused careers andcoursework [5]. Most literature has shown that summer STEM camps have positive impacts onbolstering interest levels in STEM whether a student has had any predisposition towards STEMcareers or not [1], [5], [6], [7]. STEM summer camps also provide students with the opportunityto interact with their peers both socially and intellectually. The interactions on a universitycampus can give students an opportunity to experience what a college experience will be if theychoose to attend college post-high school. This makes the interactions with staff, faculty, collegestudent counselors, and others on campus important. All these interactions can build self-confidence and

Conference Session

Professional Papers

Collection

2025 ASEE Southeast Conference

Authors

Mostafa Batouli, The Citadel; Simon Thomas Ghanat P.E., The Citadel; Nahid Vesali P.E., The Citadel

Tagged Topics

Diversity, Professional Papers

affiliation, and project titles (referredto as KEEN cards), was systematically gathered for each year in the study period.To identify and categorize trends, KEEN cards were classified into six primary categories basedon project focus: Technical Problem-Solving, Interdisciplinary Applications, Societal Impacts,Diversity and Inclusion, Career Development, and Sustainability. These classifications wereinformed by project descriptions and KEEN’s thematic focus on fostering an entrepreneurialmindset. Workshop data, indicating the specific development programs fellows attended toqualify as KEEN Fellows, were also collected and analyzed to determine which workshopsyielded the highest number of fellows across disciplines and years.Quantitative analyses

Conference Session

Track 1: Technical Session 2: Unlocking Innovation: Empowering Underrepresented Entrepreneurs in Interdisciplinary Engineering Technology

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Teddy Ivanitzki, American Society for Engineering Education; Elsabeth Mekonnen

Tagged Topics

2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

disabilities, African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives and Pacific Islanders, first-generation college students, and veterans to participate in research and entrepreneurial activities at NSF SBIR/STTR Phase II companies. • To select and support entrepreneurially minded, early career STEM doctorates, across the range of NSF-defined disciplines, with additional, educational & research opportunities outside of the traditional academic setting, to further their careers, enhance diversity in SMB, and accelerate the U.S. national economy. • To catalyze the collaboration between early career, STEM doctoral degree holders from underserved backgrounds, and in high-tech, small business enterprises, through

Collection

2025 ASEE PSW Conference

Authors

Sabrina Elise Contreras, University of California, Irvine; Natascha Trellinger Buswell, University of California, Irvine

review investigates the gender disparitieswithin intellectual property (IP) fields and examines how engineering education can addressthese issues. Through a narrative literature review of recent studies, the paper highlights thenecessity of transformative changes in STEM education and IP frameworks to create a moreinclusive innovation ecosystem. The research underscores the importance of diversity ininnovation, noting that diverse teams generate more creative solutions, particularly in areas suchas healthcare and caregiving technologies where women tend to focus. Furthermore, the studyexplores how engineering education influences career trajectories and the role of early exposureto engineering concepts in fostering innovation. Integrating

Conference Session

Track 5: Technical Session 2: Revisiting Assessment Tools Used to Measure the Impact of Summer Program Interventions on Perceptions and Interest in Engineering Among Underrepresented Pre-College Students – A Work in Progress

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Zeynep Ambarkutuk, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Jesika Monet McDaniel, Virginia Tech Department of Engineering Education; Cynthia Hampton Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Kim Lester, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Tagged Topics

2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

as the Coordinator of Pre-College Programs at Virginia Tech’s Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Diversity. She also worked as a global engagement specialist in the Office of Global Engineering Engagement and Research at Virginia T ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025Pre-college, Race/Ethnicity, Gender, EngineeringRevisiting Assessment Tools Used to Measure the Impact of Summer Program Interventions on Perceptions and Interest in Engineering Among Underrepresented Pre-College Students – A Work in ProgressAbstractStudents start their education in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)fields with the aim of having STEM-related careers. However, many

Collection

2025 Northeast Section Conference

Authors

Thomas C. McKinley

engaging projects that allowed members to apply theirincreasingly important to understand computer programming programming knowledge to the real world and working on weband artificial intelligence (AI). As a future workforce, it is scraping related to gaming, making the learning processimperative that high school students understand and have skills exciting and relevant to students’ interests. These hands-onin this field regardless of their eventual careers. Recognizing

Conference Session

Track 4: Technical Session 6: Building a Future in STEM: The Girl Scouts and a University Partnership

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Elizabeth Hart, University of Dayton

Tagged Topics

2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions

3. Plan a Take Action project that helps others.Specific STEM Activities and BadgesFacilitated DAISY ROLLER COASTER DESIGN CHALLENGE BADGE Grade Level – Kindergarten - 1st Badge Requirements ▪ Make a simple roller coaster car ▪ Build a model of a roller coaster ▪ Test your roller coaster One of Daisy Mechanical Engineering Design Challenge Badges ▪ Board Game Design Challenge ▪ Roller Coaster Design Challenge ▪ Model Car Design ChallengeSpecific STEM Activities and BadgesFacilitatedJunior Think Like A Daisy STEM Career Ambassador

Conference Session

Track 4: Technical Session 5: Insights and Updates on Identity Constructs Among Hispanic Engineering Students and Professionals: A Longitudinal Study

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Dayna Lee Martínez, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Inc.; Andrea D. Beattie, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Inc.; Kimberly D Douglas P.E., Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Inc.

Tagged Topics

2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

/Latinostudents and professionals in STEM. SHPE’s efforts include measuring constructs such as STEMidentity and sense of belonging, which are crucial for understanding the factors that influenceretention and success in these fields. Previous research has highlighted the importance of theseconstructs in shaping academic and career outcomes (NSF, 2019). Recognizing the significanceof accurate and reliable measurements, SHPE has revised its methodology to include constructswith stronger internal consistency, as indicated by higher Cronbach alpha values in the 2023survey.Furthermore, longitudinal studies play a vital role in capturing changes over time, allowing for adeeper understanding of trends and the long-term impact of interventions. By comparing

Collection

2025 Northeast Section Conference

Authors

Navarun Gupta; Deana DiLuggo; Junling Hu; Abhilasha Tibrewal; Ahmed Elsayed; Theresa Bruckerhoff

student success and the ability of theby adapting and implementing the Affinity Research Group institution to compete for future NSF funding and piloting a(ARG) Model. HSI Pilot Project: Fostering Hispanic Achievementin Computer Science and Engineering with Affinity Research short-term, well-defined goal to enhance the availability ofGroup Model (Project Achieve) aims to enhance the quality of the high-quality undergraduate STEM education at the HSI. Toundergraduate STEM program at UB and to provide a learning realize these project goals, Project Achieve is designed tointervention that improves retention so that all students canrealize future career aspirations in

Conference Session

Professional Papers

Collection

2025 ASEE Southeast Conference

Authors

Montana Jane Lang, Mississippi State; Taylor Cagle, Mississippi State University; Isaac L. Howard P.E., Mississippi State University

Tagged Topics

Professional Papers

part of an educational module for K-12 students,and is much longer than the remaining videos because of its intended dual use. While not aspecific goal for this paper, the I-269 video showcases a diverse group of individuals fromvarious ethnicities, genders, and backgrounds. The I-269 video documents inclusivity andinspires a wide range of viewers to see themselves in civil infrastructure careers. Highlightingdiverse perspectives strengthens the industry by encouraging participation from underrepresentedgroups. Table 2 summarizes some key aspects in this regard. Figure 1. Representative Images of Student Led VideosTable 2. I-269 Video Diversity Content Item Video Content – Times are Minutes:Seconds of Run

Collection

2025 ASEE -GSW Annual Conference

Authors

Nur Yazdani, The University of Texas at Arlington

may be concluded that proper curing and rebarplacement are important for RC strength and durability. Non-destructive methods like GPR areeffective for assessing concrete integrity. Teachers implemented the information into their classroomlesson plans and hands-on student activities involving physical and biology experiments. Thisapproach will bridge practical experiences with theoretical knowledge, sparking student interest inengineering careers. IntroductionReinforced Concrete (RC) is the most used construction material for various types of structures.The concrete cover above or below rebars play an important role in structural safety and durability.It may be necessary to find the actual covers in

Collection

2025 ASEE -GSW Annual Conference

Authors

Alexander Hernandez, West Texas A&M University; Sanjoy Bhattacharia, West Texas A&M University; Sarah Petters, University of California, Riverside; Markus Petters, University of California, Riverside

Tagged Topics

Diversity

as phasechange, phase transition temperature, crystallization, and ice nucleation, in existing universitycourses. We educated a diverse group of students and exposed them to state-of-the-art techniquesearly in their academic careers to consider pursuing a STEM career and higher education. Asoutreach, we also trained graduate students, as well as students from an adjacent communitycollege (CC). The developed curricular activities provided students with experience inexperimentation, data analysis, and technical writing. Based on the ABET assessment of learningoutcomes, we assessed our goals to educate students on 1) using multidisciplinary science,engineering, and mathematical skills to evaluate and address complex issues emergent in

Collection

2025 ASEE North Central Section (NCS) Annual Conference

Authors

Rick Hill, University of Detroit Mercy; Vanessa Burrows, University of Detroit Mercy; Linda Slowik PhD

Tagged Topics

Diversity

impact practicesIntroductionAcademic support systems are being implemented in colleges and universities as a response tounderrepresentation of minorities in science, especially those requiring a graduate degree [1].Integrated enrichment programs have succeeded by increasing student’s sense of integration intoboth academic and social aspects of college life – namely, by providing communities forlearning, collaboration, and career development. Programs such as the Meyerhoff ScholarsProgram at University of Maryland, Baltimore County [2] [3] [4], the Howard Hughes MedicalInstitute’s (HHMI) Capstone Institutions [5], the Biology Scholars Program at University ofCalifornia, Davis [6], and the Program for Excellence in Education and Research in the

Conference Session

Professional Papers

Collection

2025 ASEE Southeast Conference

Authors

Vivek Singhal, University of Wisconsin - Stout; Kenan Baltaci, University of Wisconsin - Stout

Tagged Topics

Diversity, Professional Papers

prototypedevelopment further engage students and prepare them for careers in the medical device field.Drawing on two years of course implementation, this paper discusses the challenges, successes,and key outcomes of this approach, offering practical advice for educators interested in creatingsimilar industry-collaborative courses.IntroductionThe Twin Cities region is a global leader in the medical device industry, home to a thrivingecosystem of established companies, innovative startups, and renowned healthcare institutions.This dynamic environment drives both economic growth and advancements in medicaltechnologies, creating a high demand for engineering graduates who possess not only technicalexpertise but also practical, industry-relevant skills