More than one might think. The days of being fully employable thanks to a technically sound background alone are over. Time and time again, engineering faculty and industry recruiters alike contend that students must round out their education by acquiring so-called soft skills. Perhaps teamwork is the most important, because companies want engineers who are willing to work easily with others. Teamwork is such a strong focus for Boston University's De Winter that he runs a course in which student teams are sent out to companies to solve real problems.
Companies are surprised and pleased with the skills our students have.