Interactive hyper-engineering career planning

Abstract

The authors address a critical area of undergraduate engineering education that has been consistently criticized and undervalued: academic advising and career development. A comprehensive program to meet career development needs within undergraduate engineering education is proposed using emerging computer technology. The goal of the hyper-engineering career planning project is to provide a user-friendly interface, with graphics, sound, and direct manipulation of input devices, to familiarize students both with the value of working in fields and with the specific character of problem-solving in technical disciplines. This software should help engage students with possible careers as well as inform them about various engineering fields. The Macintosh II with hypercard was chosen for the delivery of the counseling services planned. The hypertext has the ability to access multi-media and gives the user flexibility in implementing computer-based modules. In hypertext it is not necessary for the developers to decide in advance which instructional approach they want to utilize at the beginning or late stages of development; they can have the flexibility to insert materials at any place where they are appropriate and at any time during the development of program modules.<>