Survey of Engineering Managers
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Diane Peters and Anne Lucietto launched a study to examine the disconnect between what engineering students need to know and learn. They designed a survey to assess the importance of machine design and solid modeling skills from industry perspectives and compare it to perceptions of graduates' competencies. Preliminary responses from 5 participants found most skills were somewhat important or higher. Respondents saw solid modeling skills as more developed in graduates than machine design abilities. The study is on hold until IRB approval and scheduling allow, and more responses are needed for significance. The goal is informing students and facilitating industry-academia discussions on expectations.
Survey of Engineering Managers
- 1. Diane L. Peters, P.E., Ph.D.
- 2. Study launched by me and Anne Lucietto, based on discussions over what we’ve seen in industry and in academia Often, there is a disconnect between what students need to know and what they actually learn Currently, we’re on hold on any progress on the project I changed jobs (will need to go through IRB at my new employer before re-starting) Anne is in an intense phase of her Ph.D. program
- 3. Survey, implemented on SurveyMonkey Questions divided into several blocks Machine Design Skills and Competencies Solid Modeling/Drafting Skills and Competencies Company information Participants asked to rate importance of skills on a Likert scale (Very Important – Somewhat Important – Not Very Important – Not At All Important) Participants ranked level of knowledge of the typical ME or MET graduate on a Likert scale (Very Good, Good, Somewhat Good, and Not Very Good) Company Information block asked for the size of company and department, the types of software programs used, and any other input on the topic that participant wished to give
- 4. 5 participants’ responses recorded Machine design category 8 of 10 items had an average importance of 3 (Somewhat Important) or greater Most important competency in statics/dynamics Solid modeling/drafting category 9 of 10 items had an average importance of 3 (Somewhat Important) or greater Most important competency in creation of production drawings Respondents had a higher opinion of the competency of graduates in solid modeling/drafting than in machine design tasks
- 7. Inform students of what they will need to know for certain positions Promote discussion between industry and academia of what students should and can learn in school, and what can/should be learned on the job
- 8. Re-start the project when possible Requires IRB approval through my current institution My collaborator’s schedule has to clear up Get more respondents Many more responses needed for statistical significance Overall, this fits into a larger interest in the intersection of industry and academic worlds
- 9. Thank you for your attention!