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Session 3155

DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF AN ENGINEER PROFILE

Denny C. Davis, Bioengineering Washington State University

Steven W. Beyerlein, Mechanical Engineering University of Idaho

Isadore T. Davis Raytheon Missile Systems, and ASEE Corporate Member Council

Abstract Engineering educators, students, and practitioners possess “understandings” of what constitutes quality performance by the engineering professional. Misguided or mismatched understandings can lead to inappropriate career decisions, ineffective curriculum, and poor performance evaluations. This paper describes a process and defines the profile of an engineer performing well in professional practice. Developed with input from both academic and non-academic engineers, the profile presents technical, interpersonal, and professional skills or behaviors that align with key roles performed by the engineer. The profile is a valuable resource for educators and for students aspiring to become high performing professionals in the field of engineering.

Introduction Society holds high expectations of people in professions entrusted with the well-being of people and society as a whole. The engineering profession, for example, is held to actions commensurate with codes of practice defined by professional societies and state licensing boards1,2. Broader expectations of engineers’ performance, however, are often defined by employing organizations or educational institutions preparing individuals for engineering careers. These expectations may not be defined consistently or be widely known by important stakeholders who could benefit from this information.

Over the last decade, two major issues have highlighted a need for improved definitions of effective engineering performance in professional practice. First, national leaders have argued that engineering graduates’ capabilities are not fulfilling engineering workforce needs3,4. This led to definitions of desired engineering attributes and to major changes in engineering accreditation criteria5,6. Recruitment and retention of female and minority Americans into engineering has not kept pace with increases in these populations7. Poor understandings of engineering contribute to students’ leaving the profession8.

Proceedings of the 2005 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright ©2005, American Society for Engineering Education

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Davis, D. (2005, June), Development And Use Of An Engineer Profile Paper presented at 2005 Annual Conference, Portland, Oregon. 10.18260/1-2--14201