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Session 1148

Helping Graduates to Get Professional Employment

Chong Chen

Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Studies Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN 37132

Abstract

One objective of higher education is to train college students into qualified professionals and place them into the workforce. The percentage of graduates employed in their major area is a measure of a college program’s success. It is the responsibility of universities and faculty to help their students to be trained well and get employed in their study fields. Moreover, a good graduate employment history helps the involved program in recruitment and retention of students.

For the Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology program at Middle Tennessee State University, almost every student gets a job in the major area when he/she is graduating. The faculty, department, and university have done a lot to help their students in seeking for employment. The balanced electrical and mechanical courses train the students into qualified technical personnel. The cooperative education program helps students to obtain industrial work experience. The local industry supports are very important for the employment. The contacts of faculty with the industry provide an efficient vehicle for employment news to be disseminated to the interested students.

This paper introduces the Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology program curriculum at Middle Tennessee State University and the industries in the middle Tennessee area. It discusses how the university and faculty assist students to be hired on professional jobs. The university’s cooperative education program is also addressed.

Introduction

A recent survey indicated that majority electronic technology programs had enrollment declines in the last ten years. These programs involve both two-year and four-year schools. “The percentage of decline ranged from 20% to 90%, with most indicating an estimated 50% decrease during the period.”[1] There were many factors causing the enrollment declines. There were also many suggestions for slowing or reversing the enrollment decreases.

At Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), there is a four-year program in Electro- Mechanical Engineering Technology (EMET). This is a hybrid program of electrical and

Proceedings of the 2003American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright©2003, American Society for Engineering Education

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Chen, C. (2003, June), Helping Graduates To Get Professional Employment Paper presented at 2003 Annual Conference, Nashville, Tennessee. 10.18260/1-2--11762