Extended Abstract: Student Technical Editors as Consultants for Engineering Capstone Design Teams: A Case Study

Abstract

Ensuring that engineering students meet professional communication skills requirements of the Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology (ABET) remains a challenge for instructors. In response to this pedagogical context, this case study describes the conditions, outcomes, and implications of a project in which technical and professional communication (TPC) students worked as interns and technical editing consultants for a mechanical engineering instructor to support the communication needs of five undergraduate mechanical engineering teams during the final semester of their client-driven capstone design projects. Study results showed that the participants, including the instructor and internship advisor, found the project meaningful and important as workplace preparation that improved TPC competencies and met ABET standards for professional communication.