Relating communication training to workplace requirements: the perspective of new engineers

Extended interviews with recent engineering hires by a major electronics manufacturing firm reveal substantial differences in communication training among engineering programs. Despite differences in educational background and current position, however, these engineers identify the same set of key communication skills that they believe should be developed in undergraduate electrical engineering programs. These skills, which relate to the ability to communicate well in face-to-face and small group settings, to use electronic mail effectively, and to identify audiences and address them appropriately, can be taught without adding courses to the engineering curriculum, provided course content and evaluation of student work emphasize the importance of these skills.>