Mechanical Engineering Education: Not Just About the Math

It is of utmost importance that universities seek out creative ways to enhance the written and oral communication skills of their engineering students. Too many engineering students graduate and enter today’s competitive job market without sufficient communication skills that will ultimately give them an edge in their profession. It takes hard work and perseverance to obtain a four-year engineering degree, yet many talented students may be overlooked due to inadequate communication skills. Although a student may be more than qualified for an engineering position, a lack of written and oral communication skills could have a negative impact on his or her perceived level of skill. Employers today are searching for well-rounded individuals who are capable of performing multiple job tasks. They demand engineers who are not only technically astute, but who can also conduct research and effectively communicate their ideas to others. This paper examines the importance of written and oral communication skills in engineering professions. Additionally, it investigates various methods of teaching written and oral communication skills to many engineering students, including mechanical engineering, in higher education. It also describes the methods employed by the authors to enhance the communication skills of engineering technology students at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). Top priority should be given to see that students are able to live up to the highest standards both academically and professionally. It is time that universities empowered their students with the additional skills necessary to survive and flourish in today’s competitive and demanding job market.Copyright © 2004 by ASME