This text is a direct continuation of the chapter Why do we learn communication skills?, so I recommend you to remind yourselves of its contents before you continue with your work.
Knowledge and skills required for modern engineers
In 2010, the professional association Engineers Australia made a list of relevant skills required for modern engineers. Unlike a three-part division into technical, social and conceptual skills presented in the Introduction (Finch and Maddux, 2006), Engineers Australia divide them into two groups:
- technical, and
- transferable skills
Conceptual skills equally pervade both groups so they are not mentioned separately, and they include the following basic areas:
- teamwork,
- communications,
- technologies, and
- critical thinking.
Additionally, Engineers Australia recommend their future colleagues to enrol into elective social subjects in the following areas:
- language,
- history and geography,
- visual arts, and
- sports.
Finally, the language skills are divided into:
- mother tongue,
- literature,
- speech / communications,
- debating,
- media studies, and
- journalism / publishing. (Engineers Australia, 2010).
Preparation for the debate
In order to successfully prepare for the debate, it is necessary to carry out the two-part presentation of evidence: firstly, it should be demonstrated why every mentioned skill is important for the students of the Zagreb Polytechnic professional studies, and then shown that those skills are included into the Communication Skills module.
The question of importance of particular skills for the students of engineering careers is very complex. It is addressed in numerous books, professional and scientific journals and permanent discussions on the curriculum structure at higher educational institutions worldwide. Therefore, it cannot be expected from any student to deal with all fields equally extensively. The problem, however, might be solved through the teamwork.
In accordance with personal preferences, the students should share between themselves the skills from the Engineers Australia list. Everyone should choose at least two of the skills and analyse their importance for the students of the Zagreb Polytechnic professional studies. If you can think of some skill that is not put on the list, and you regard it important for the students of the Zagreb Polytechnic professional studies, feel free to address that one instead of one from the list.
Every mentioned scientific field or skill can be researched by asking the following questions:
- In which manner is the researched skill related to the careers that the students of the Polytechnic of Zagreb pursue after graduating from the college?
- In which manner is the researched skill related to the students’ private life?
- Is the researched skill required for all engineers? Are there some jobs which do not require such skill at all? If so, how much are they present in engineering professions and how much are they likely to be still present in ten, twenty or thirty years?
- Is the researched skill equally important in all geopolitical systems or its importance varies from state to state?
- Is the researched skill equally important in all professions or its importance varies from profession to profession?
- Is the researched skill equally important at all organisational levels?
- Is the researched skill taught within the Communication Skills module?
- Is the researched skill taught within some other modules at the Polytechnic of Zagreb?
- Is the researched skill taught at the lower educational levels (elementary and secondary school)?
- And so on…
Important
The list of skills and questions is indicative and provides only a general roadmap for analysis of the requirements for various skills and knowledge of the students at the Zagreb Polytechnic professional studies. Let your creativity soar: analyse a skill which Engineers Australia do not mention and/or ask questions that are absent in the list above. Bring your ideas into the classroom and discuss them. Regardless of the success in the debate, every idea equally contributes to a better understanding of the communication skills problematics in the context of engineering as well as to the abilities of debating. Be open towards the other people’s and your own ideas and you will gain much more from this subject than you would acquire by literally following the instructions.
Task
Every student in the group should analyse at least two skills from the list of the professional association Engineers Australia and think about the optimal debate format for the assigned topic.
Sources
For the beginning, you should consult the following chapters: Why Do We Learn Communication Skills?, Searching for Information and Professional Literature.
Furthermore, study an excellent website Engineer Your Career.
In order to encourage you to do research on your own, the suggested list of sources is intentionally incomplete. Study at least two more different sources which are not mentioned in this text and assess their relevance prior to use.
Bibliography
Engineers Australia (2010). Engineer your Career: Required Skills. Canberra: Engineers Australia. The source available here.
Finch, L.; Maddux, R. B. (2006). Delegation Skills for Leaders: An Action Plan for Success as a Manager. Third edition Boston: Thomson.