Career development for engineering students

Abstract

In 1986-7 the Office of Career Development and the School of Engineering and technology of New York Institute of Technology collaborated in developing a mandatory one-credit course for students majoring in electrical engineering. This course, which was primarily designed for second-semester freshmen and sophomores, would serve as a pilot project for students in all other engineering majors offered at the college. The purpose of the course was to assist students to achieve competencies in the following areas: identifying their individual interests, skills, values, and abilities relevant to carrier decisions; understanding the changing characteristics of the American workplace and workforce; identifying the characteristics and requirements of the engineering field, particularly electrical engineering; identifying the relationship between electrical engineering and other related fields; relating their personal characteristics to occupational requirements; acquiring decision-making skills; making short-term and long-term plans for achieving occupational goals; researching employers in the field; presenting themselves effectively and communicating with employers and professionals in the field; and dealing with conflict situations involving professional ethics. The basic features of this course are described.<>