COMMUNICAT

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ENGINEERIN

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DAVID BOWKER, PURDUE UNIVERSITY

OVERVIEW

Definitions of Engineering

Engineering Demographics

Engineering Functions

Myths about Engineers

Conceptual Framework

Questions and Discussion

OKAY, YOU TELL US…

WHAT DO ENGINEERS ACTUALLY DO?

(Take a few minutes to brainstorm here…we’ve got time!)

2003 1998

Builds/constructs/makes things 38% 26%

Designs/draws/plans 19% 27%

Mechanic/mechanical work 9% 2%

Train operator 7% 5%

Creates/is creative 3% 3%

Mathematics/physics 3% 2%

Develops new technologies 3% -

Application of technology 2% -

Equipment maintenance repair 2% -

Works with computers 2% -Source: Harris Poll, December 2003

What Do Engineers Do?

Engineers ScientistsMake strong leaders 56% 32%

Care about the community 37% 51%

Sensitive to societal concerns 28% 61%

Save lives 14% 82%

Source: Harris Poll, December 2003

Contributing To Society

WHY IS ENGINEERING IMPORTANT?

“Engineers have a hand in designing, creating, or modifying nearly everything we touch, wear, eat, see, and hear in our daily lives.”

- American Society of Engineering Education

Clean water

Bridges

Cleaning up the Gulf after the oil spill

Solar power

Cell phones and computers

MLB schedule

Amazon.com

artificial organs

biodegradable plastic

Endoscopes

Automobiles

The flush toilet

Google

Email

Air conditioning

iPods

Solar power

Bionic limbs

Incubators

WHAT DO ENGINEERS ACTUALLY DO?

WHAT DO ENGINEERS ACTUALLY DO?

Melt-a-way Cupcake Liners

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WHAT IS ENGINEERING?

More brainstorming—who does engineering? How do you define engineering?

WHAT IS ENGINEERING?

Application of • Problem-solving skills• Creativity, intuition• Math, science, technology

• Engineers are problem solvers who search for quicker, better, and less

expensive ways to use the forces and materials of nature to meet today’s

challenges.• The application of creativity and teamwork using Math and science

principles as tools to solve problems• Develop real-world solutions which impact various areas of

medicine, business, law, music, environment, nutrition, education …

• Engineers are changing the world all the time. They dream up creative, practical solutions and work with other smart, inspiring people to invent, design, and build things that matter [

WHAT IS ENGINEERING?In every major you learn core skill sets, such as:

•Problem-identifying and problem-solving

•Project Management

•Design and innovation

•Global perspective and ethics

•Political Sensitivity

•Team dynamics and

communication

•Predicting Performance

•Adapting to Change

•Learning to learn

WHAT IS ENGINEERING?

• Aerospace• Agricultural• Architectural• Biological • Biomedical • Chemical• Civil• Computer• Computer Science• Electrical

• Environmental• Industrial• Manufacturing• Materials • Mechanical• Nuclear• Ocean• Operations Research• Petroleum

WHAT IS ENGINEERING?

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“THE KNACK”

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WHEN YOU THINK OF AN ENGINEER…

MYTHS ABOUT ENGINEERS

Nerdy Guys Love math/science only Grinds Narrow field Solitary Repetitious Boring/not creative

ENGINEERING DEGREES2009 2008 2007

Total Bachelor's 80213 79676 78800

African American 3179 3253 3283AA % of total 4.0% 4.1% 4.2%

Asian American 8567 8930 9000Asian % of total 10.7% 11.2% 11.4%

Hispanic 5514 5437 5160HA % of total 6.9% 6.8% 6.5%

Native American 344 356 331NA % of total 0.4% 0.4% 0.4%

International 4723 4651 5022Int % of total 5.9% 5.8% 6.4%

Female 14299 14342 14226female % of total 17.8% 18.0% 18.1%

WHY DO WE NEED MORE ENGINEERS, ANYWAY?• Aging population of Engineers

• Reduction in students choosing engineering

• Global Competition

• Big challenges to solve

• The integration of Technology into all things!

CONCEPTUAL

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CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK: IDENTIFICATIONCreative students with math and science aptitude (think “Top Chef” and knife skills)

Broad Definition of Diversity

Geographic, Ethnicity, Gender, Interests, Thought Process, Dance Moves, etc

Why Diversity is Important

•Great career for all

•Team should be represented with folks who use products

•We need more engineers

•Diversity = innovation better solutions

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK: CAREER BENEFITS Broad opportunities

Making a difference

Salary

Variety

Travel

Starting Salaries $$$$

Chemical 64,902

Computer 61,738

Electrical 60,125

Mechanical 58,766

Industrial 58,385

Materials 57,349

Aerospace 56,311

Agriculture 54,352

Biomedical 54,158

Civil 52,048

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK: “NEW” HONESTYO L D P E R C E P T I O N

EN isn’t for everyone

Weed out

Retention horrible

It is hard

“ R E A L” D E A L

Great fit for a variety of people

Right fit

Retention is better than most

Do we want it easy??

ENGINEERING AS A CAREER??

Engineering Community• It’s a challenge• Go for it! It’s difficult, but rewarding• Use math and science to solve problems

What students want•Enjoying what I do•Good working environment•Making a difference•Good income•Flexibility

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK: “NEW” HONESTYO L D C O M M U N I C A T I O N

“Use math and science to solve problems”

“Go into engineering if you’re good in math and science.”

“It’s really hard, but worth it.”

“Engineering is hard – you need confidence to get through.

N E W C O M M U N I C A T I O N

“the application of creativity and teamwork using Math and science principles as tools to solve problems”

“Because your dreams need doing.”

“Turning ideas into reality”

“Engineers make the world better”

When describing why to be an MD is the first thought you have to be good at anatomy and physiology?

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK: HS PREP

•4 yearsMath

•3 or more years

Science

•3 or more years

Social Studie

s

•4 yearsEnglish

•2-3 yearsForeign Langua

ges

•1 or more years

Other Electiv

es

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK: RESOURCES

• Engineer Your Life http://www.engineeryourlife.org/

• Try Engineering http://www.tryengineering.org/become.php

• Pathways to Science http://www.pathwaystoscience.org/K12.asp

• Engineering, Go For It! (eGFI) http://students.egfi-k12.org/category/k-12-outreach-programs/

QUESTIONS?

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