Engineering is found everywhere and impacts nearly all aspects of modern life. Engineers design, build, and problem solve to improve technologies and find solutions to challenges. While engineering often involves math and science, it also requires skills such as communication, teamwork, and adaptability. There are many fields of engineering and career paths for engineers beyond design and construction, including management, technical support, and education. The document promotes engineering and discusses the diverse roles and impacts of engineers.
4. Contributing to SocietyContributing to Society
Engineers Scientists
Make 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
5. Purdue University
College of Engineering
•Feed the world •Live on Mars
•Provide affordable healthcare
•Protect the environment
•Design material devices that save lives
•Be challenged
•Be bold
•Never stop learning
•Be creative •Be a leader
•Provide a safe water supply
6. Purdue University
College of Engineering
EngineeringEngineering
is…is…
……the application of creativitythe application of creativity
and teamwork using Mathand teamwork using Math
and science principles asand science principles as
tools to solve problemstools to solve problems
……creating things thatcreating things that
will benefit societywill benefit society
OR
7. Purdue University
College of Engineering
““Engineers have a hand inEngineers have a hand in
designing, creating, ordesigning, creating, or
modifying nearly everythingmodifying nearly everything
we touch, wear, eat, see, andwe touch, wear, eat, see, and
hear in our daily lives.”hear in our daily lives.”
- American Society of Engineering Education- American Society of Engineering Education
9. Purdue University
College of Engineering
Safe drinking water
Microwave ovens
Baseball bats
Hershey Hugs
Seat belts and air bags
Elevators
Movie Special Effects
Cell phones
Heart Pacemakers
CD’s, VCR’s, and DVD’s
Instant Messaging
Skyscrapers
Facial recognition devices
Rollercoasters
But other engineering innovationsBut other engineering innovations
include…include…
and much, much more!and much, much more!
16. Top 10 Engineering SkillsTop 10 Engineering Skills
Problem-solvingProblem-solving
Analytical/Creative ThinkingAnalytical/Creative Thinking
Design-OrientedDesign-Oriented
Communication-written & oralCommunication-written & oral
Adapt to changeAdapt to change
17. Purdue University
College of Engineering
Top 10 Engineering SkillsTop 10 Engineering Skills
Learn to learnLearn to learn
Global perspective/cultural awarenessGlobal perspective/cultural awareness
Project managementProject management
Political/Social SensitivityPolitical/Social Sensitivity
Ability to work in diverse team settingsAbility to work in diverse team settings
18. Purdue University
College of Engineering
Engineers are…Engineers are…
Men and Women from every culture in the worldMen and Women from every culture in the world
People who like a challenge andPeople who like a challenge and
to build, break, and design thingsto build, break, and design things
Trusted for having goodTrusted for having good
judgment & making soundjudgment & making sound
decisionsdecisions
Strong in math & scienceStrong in math & science
ResourcefulResourceful
Able to express their ideasAble to express their ideas
19. Purdue University
College of Engineering
Fields of EngineeringFields of Engineering
Electrical
Computer
Agricultural
Biological
Construction
Biomedical
Geomatic
Nuclear
Civil
Mechanical
Aerospace
Industrial
Chemical
Mining
Petroleum
Materials
20. Purdue University
College of Engineering
EngineeringEngineering
FunctionsFunctionsResearch
Development
Testing
Design
Analysis
Systems
Manufacturing and
Construction
Operations and
Maintenance
Technical Support
Customer Support
Sales
Finance
Management
Law
Medicine
Business
Education
21. Purdue University
College of Engineering
LeadershipLeadership
17% of the Fortune 500 CEO’s have a17% of the Fortune 500 CEO’s have a
business degree.business degree.
20%20% of the Fortune 500 CEO’s haveof the Fortune 500 CEO’s have
an engineering degree and 22% ofan engineering degree and 22% of
the Fortune 200 CEO’s.the Fortune 200 CEO’s.
Patent law requires a degree inPatent law requires a degree in
Engineering or scienceEngineering or science
22. Why we NEED more EngineersWhy we NEED more Engineers
Aging engineering workforce
Fewer students choosing engineering
Global competition
Integration of technology into all of
society
Diversity = Innovation
-
23. Purdue University
College of Engineering
BS Engineering DegreesBS Engineering Degrees
2005 Engineering Degrees by Ethnicity & Gender
WomenWomen 19.6%19.6%
African AmericanAfrican American 6.5%6.5%
HispanicHispanic 5.4%5.4%
Native AmericanNative American .. .05%.05%
Source: ASEE PRISM, September 2004
All lower
than 1999!
African Americans, Latinos
and Native Americans comprise
30% of college-age people,
and 25% of the U.S. workforce
24. Purdue University
College of Engineering
Let’s talk about EngineeringLet’s talk about Engineering
Engineering Community
• It’s a challenge
• Go for it! It’s difficult, but rewarding
• Use math and science to solve problems
High School Girls
•Enjoying what I do
•Good working environment
•Making a difference
•Good income
•Flexibility
25. Purdue University
College of Engineering
Average starting salaries atAverage starting salaries at
Purdue university 2008Purdue university 2008
Aerospace $55,772
Chemical $66,311
Civil $53,231
Computer $62,940
Electrical 58,896
Industrial $57,519
Materials $58,325
Mechanical $60,000
26. Purdue University
College of Engineering
Pre-calculus or calculus
Chemistry
Physics
Writing, Communication
Computer - programming, drafting,
general
Honors & advance placement
This gives you career choices!!
High School PreparationHigh School Preparation
27. Purdue University
College of Engineering
Contact usContact us
atat
Office Phone: (765) 494-3975Office Phone: (765) 494-3975
Email:Email: dbowker@purdue.edudbowker@purdue.edu
28. Purdue University
College of Engineering
For more information:For more information:
www.purdue.edu
www.eweek.org
www.engineeringk12.org
www.discoverengineering.org
www.jets.org
Editor's Notes
Is a growth since 1998 in the public’s perception that engineers create things. But there was also an increase in the number of people that think we drive trains…no kidding. That’s pathetic.
Where are the positive image icons for our profession? What sitcom represents hip, creative, young professionals engaged in jointly addressing the challenges of our time? And enjoying career satisfaction and making a decent living while making a contribution to society? In essence, where are the connections for our youth?
Engineering is an ultimately creative endeavor, but as you can see from these results, we keep that a secret, enjoyed by the anointed within our ranks. We need innovative thinkers; people with wild ideas to join our profession.
Of note is that the general public doesn’t make the connection between the development of new technologies with the role engineers play in society. We build bridges and roads. Bridges and roads are a good things, but there is more to our profession…
And early, relevant exposure of youth to the excitement of engineering to integrate the science, math and technology already in pre-college curricula is a means to broaden the public’s perception of the creativity and relevance of our profession.
Encouraged that the public sees engineers as strong leaders, and that they see us as caring about the community more than they did in 1998.
However, I am troubled that they see us as far less sensitive to societal concerns than they did in 1998. From a gender inclusion perspective, I would posit that it would serve our profession well to be viewed as sensitive to societal concerns.
While adults are twice as likely to see us as saving lives now than they did in 1998, we do not enjoy the public appreciation for this that scientists do.
You might be wondering what the difference is between science and engineering, well…
Aeronautical Engineering – Physics and Aerodynamics
Agriculture – Impact of the structure on the land and soil
Biological – How will the g-forces impact the rider?
Biomedical –
Chemical – Hydraulics fluids, Paint
Civil – Structure
Computer – creating the design, running the coaster itself
CEM – Overseeing the job site
Electrical –
Environmental – how the coaster will impact the environment, increased traffic = increased emissions, water usage, soil erosion
Industrial – parts creation, operator interaction
Interdisciplinary –
Materials – What the structure, rider compartment, rider belts/harnesses/bars, etc. are made of
Mechanical –
Multidisciplinary – All of the above
Nuclear – alternate energy sources for running it?