Atlanta, Georgia
June 23, 2013
June 23, 2013
June 26, 2013
2153-5965
Engineering Technology
9
23.219.1 - 23.219.9
10.18260/1-2--19233
https://peer.asee.org/19233
544
SAEED KHAN is an Associate Professor with the Electronic and Computer Engineering Technology program at Kansas State University at Salina. Dr. Khan received his Ph.D. and M.S.
degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Connecticut, in 1989 and 1994 respectively and his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh in 1984. Khan, who joined KSU in 1998, teaches courses in
telecommunications and digital systems. His research interests and areas of expertise include antennas and propagation, novel materials for microwave application, and electromagnetic
scattering.
Assessing the Value of Bachelor Graduates in Engineering Technology (ET): Making the Case for a Proper Valuation of ET Skills in IndustryRon Land’s paper “Engineering Technologists Are Engineers” (Land, 2012) and the Departmentof Labor both seem to agree that graduates with engineering technology (ET) degrees end uphaving careers is Engineering. Professor Land comes upon his conclusion from surveying over200 companies that hire both engineers and engineering technology graduates. The Departmentof Labor came to a similar conclusion when they turned down the petition for a separate code forengineering technologists. It is worthwhile to note that the Department used employment data ofET graduates to reach this decision.The evolving consensus that ET graduates end up as engineers, is desirable from severalperspectives which include an additional pathway to producing the critical numbers of engineersin the workforce. So yes, engineering technology leads to engineering careers, but, is theresomething more to such an academic pathway that brings about benefits prior to the careermerger that eventually takes place? What benefits are reaped by companies which employ peoplefrom both tracks? This paper looks at the immediate value of an engineering technology bachelor degree graduateto her employer by studying ETAC and EAC program outcomes. Comparisons will be done fortwo pairs of similar degrees, the ECE and ECET programs and the ME and MET programs. Inaddition, a literature survey will be used in these comparisons. The paper provides a rationale ofwhy ET graduates should be valued by industry for theirs differences as well as their similarities.It argues that, new ETs bring benefits to the workplace that justifies their proper valuation andcompensation (similar to engineers) on day one.
Khan, S. (2013, June), Assessing the Value of Bachelor Graduates in Engineering Technology (ET): Making the Case for a Proper Valuation of ET Skills in Industry Paper presented at 2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Atlanta, Georgia. 10.18260/1-2--19233
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