Workshop: Wired for Connection, Not Perfection: Embracing Imperfection in the Engineering Space

The engineering discipline attracts some of the world's most creative, bright, and logical thinkers. Engineering students often approach their first year of college having developed their identity around being the "smart, talented one" in high school, and have learned to fit in through fulfilling their role as the "high-achiever". Once college starts, it is common for this sense of identity to become shaky as classes become more difficult and they are surrounded by fellow high-achievers. This can be a destabilizing period which brings uncertainty about how they can relate to others and fit in with their peers. It can also be an opportunity to challenge long-held beliefs about what it means to connect with others. Presenters will help attendees consider ways to support students navigating this transition period. They will highlight how one's rigid beliefs about what it means to be a "good student" can create barriers to connection. This workshop includes interactive exercises, exploration of alternative approaches to connection, and fruitful discussions centered on the application of these skills and concepts to participants' work.