Employer Interview Analysis October 8, 2008

Summary from analysis of employer interviews table

  Current eng practice (common/important themes)

 -   Communication skills: verbal, written, intranet, database use. Ability to organize and present data.

-   Team work

-   Critical thinking

- Innovative thinking

-   Problem solving; (both conceptual and Operational (hands-on))

-   Ability to learn/adapt (e.g. use of "homegrown" software or learning new software in training)/multitask

-   Understanding of principles, application and limitations of computational tools. Need basic computational skills. Job specific skills can be picked up on the job.   

-   Using technology to collaborate across/outside organization (computational globalization). Using tech to support broad problem solving and decision making.

-   Familiarity with multiple software systems, which may or may not share general operating principles

-   Ability to move between abstractions in software and physical systems.

-   Understanding of business practice; increased productivity, reduced time 

Computational aspects (common/important themes) (current eng. practice?) 

-   Multiple CAD programs including 3D modeling (understanding what is being modeled and limits of the models)

-   Process simulation packages (from design to manufacturing). For ChEs, the ASPEN simulation tool has been mentioned. 

- Numeric computational platforms eg MATLAB, MATHCAD, Mathematica, MAPLE, PolyMath

-   Software collaboration tools (share info and manage data)

-   Project management software

-   Excel (High level capabilities)

-   MS Office

-   Knowledge of some programming (e.g., Visual Basic).

-   Familiarity with multiple software systems, which may or may not share general operating principles 

Future of the eng. practice 

-   Corporate development, leadership, management skills

-   Increasing integration of engineering data across larger systems (i.e., logistics & ordering).  More business intelligence embedded in systems.

-   Globalization, working with global timetables

-   DFE. Full life cycle. Environmental impact across disciplines

-   High computational level (programming to an end result)

-   More experience in R & D:

• -   new applications for existing materials

• -   material development

• -   electronic communication

• -   Next generation of technology?

• -   Increasing use of simulation to reduce materials usage in design phase