An Assessment of Desired "Business Knowledge Attributes" for Engineering Technology Graduates

Journal of Engineering Technology, Fall 2006 by Fisher, Kenneth J, Lobaugh, Michael, Parente, Diane H

For the three- to five-year results, the groupings for the entry level are repeated, but with minor reordering in the ranking. The noted exception is the expansion of skills in the ethics grouping. In addition, skills within the areas of economics and finance along with management and organizational behavior have been added showing expanded competencies expected of the near-term practicing professional. Of the individual skills in the three- to live-year results, listening and oral presentations/communications have the highest priority. The resulting groupings and subset of individual skills for each are shown in lalile I (facing page).

VIII. Conclusions

Study results closely correlate with research cited in the literature and represent the business skills expected by the seeT engineering technology program's constituency. In addition, no statistically significant differences were found within the high priority skills among the varying respondents and thus the survey data was used without the need of further qualification.

IX. Incorporation into the Curriculum

Incorporating the development of individual business skills within the educational outcomes of engineering technology programs is difficult. Current curricula within SEIiT engineering technology programs were already at high credit levels and adding courses or course content simply was not an option. However, the issue required consideration since the lack of developed business skills at the entry level were identified by seeT constituency as a weakness.Therefore, the faculty within the baccalaureate engineering technology programs at Pcnn State Erie critically reviewed program curricula to identify options, if any. that would allow the inclusion of business skill educational outcomes.To date, the review has led to the formulation of a single new course in project management, revisions to several existing mechanical engineering technology program courses, the implementation of a small products realization course, and the creation of business minors in technical sales and in operations and supply chain management.

* New Course: Project Management for Engineers

This course replaced a recquired engineering economics course offered in the mechanical engineering technology program and a required management course in the plastics engineering technology program. The course is offered as a technical elective in the electrical engineering technology program. Course learning objectives address all of the entrylevel skills outlined under project management in Table 1. Communication, teamwork, and economic decision-making are emphasized.The course includes a quality management scenario within a simulation exercise that addresses several of the quality practice skills also listed in Table 1. Business faculty having industrial experience teaches the course.

* Revisions to Existing Courses

Revisions were made to mechanical and plastics manufacturing processes courses to incorporate instruction in the use of quality diagnostic tools and to strengthen instruction in SPC.Topics and case studies in ethics were added to the heat transfer course in mechanical engineering technology anil in the program's senior seminar course.The results of this study are presented in the senior seminar during instruction on the need for lifelong learning to create an awareness of expected business skills needed three to five years alter graduation.