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[Next] [Previous] [Up] [Top] Lifelong Learning for Professional Engineers4.4 Best Practices for Individual Engineers
Engineers change employers more frequently than in the past, which has both positive and negative effects on their continuing education. Sensing the higher mobility of their staff, some employers are more reluctant to commit to longer-term educational programs. On the other hand, by changing employers, and sometimes their areas of specialization, engineers become exposed to new ideas and knowledge. There are many examples of senior engineers who have acquired competence in a substantial number of technology areas throughout their career. For them, lifelong learning has become a regular pattern in their professional life. Examples of specific practices which individual engineers can adopt are summarized below.Best Practices for Individual Engineers- Prepare a lifelong learning plan and discuss with employer and associates.
- Document major achievements in engineering, including successful technical projects, major management and administrative contributions etc.
- Maintain a full record of the successful completion of formal credit and non-credit courses, workshops, seminars, etc.
- Identify peers with specific expertise and tap into their knowledge by bouncing new ideas, testing theories and assumptions etc.
- Participate in the local and national activities of the most relevant professional associations and technical societies, particularly in their workshops, tutorials and symposia.
- Participate in local business development activities to maintain contact with other firms in related areas of technology.
- Maintain contact with one's Alma Mater as a means of extending one's business and engineering network.
- Aggressively pursue self-directed learning activities, budgeting both the necessary time and financial resources.
- Learn to access and use modern information technologies as a prime means to acquire new knowledge.
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Lifelong Learning for Professional Engineers - 10 DEC 97[Next] [Previous] [Up] [Top]
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