Keys to Engineering Success
Preface  KEYS TO ENGINEERING SUCCESS OWNER'S MANUALWhat can you do with your engineering education and why do you have to take all that calculus, physics, and chemistry? This book provides answers to these types of questions, because the authors believe very strongly that engineering is a rewarding career, that our world would not work without the contributions of engineers that are all around us, and that the workplace needs creative, capable engineers like you!In order to succeed in an engineering education, you will need to:Take responsibility for yourself, your education and your future. Learn how to study strategically. Ask for help when you need it.As your authors, we have talked to students and engineering faculty across the country. We've learned that you are concerned about your future, you want your education to serve a purpose, you are adjusting to constant life changes, and you want honest and direct guidance on how to achieve your goals. We designed the features of Keys to Engineering Success based on what you have told us about your needs.   THE CONTENTS OF THE PACKAGE: WHAT'S INCLUDEDWe chose the topics in this book based on what you need to make the most of your engineering education experience. You need a strong sense of self and an ability to persevere in order to discover and pursue the best course of study for you. You need good study skills to absorb and retain what you learn both in and out of class. You need to set goals and manage your time, money, and relationships so that you can handle the changes that you will face in the future. Keys to Engineering Success can guide you in all of these areas and more.The distinguishing characteristics and sections of this book are designed to make your life easier by helping you absorb and understand the material you read.Lifelong learning. The ideas and strategies you learn that will help you succeed in school are the same ones that will bring you success in your career and personal life. Therefore, this book focuses on success strategies as they apply to school, work, and life, not just in the classroom.Thinking skills. Being able to remember facts and formulas won't do you much good at school or beyond unless you can put that information to work through clear and competent thinking. This book has a chapter on creative and critical thinking that will help you understand the problem-solving and thinking skills necessary for you to succeed as an engineering student.Skill-building exercises. Today's engineering graduates need to be effective thinkers, team players, writers, and strategic planners. The exercises at the end of the chapters will encourage you to develop these valuable career skills and to apply problem-solving processes to any topic or situation.Diversity of voice. The workplace and our communities are becoming increasingly diverse in ethnicity, perspective, culture, lifestyle, race, choices, abilities, needs, and more. Every student, professor, course, and school is unique. One point of view can't possibly apply to everyone. Therefore, many voices will speak to you from these pages. What you read will speak to your needs, offer ideas, and treat you with respect.User-friendly features. The following features will make your life easier in small but significant ways.Perforations. Each page of this book is perforated so you can tear out exercises to hand in, take with you somewhere, or keep in your notebook as a reference. Exercises. The exercises are together at the ends of the chapters, so if you want to hand them in you can do so without removing any of the text. Definitions. Selected words are defined in the margins of the text. Long-term usefulness. Yes, most people sell back some of the textbooks they use. If you take a good look at the material in Keys to Engineering Success, however, you may want to keep this book around. Keys to Engineering Success is a reference that you can return to over and over again as you work toward your goals in school, work, and life.   TAKE ACTION: READYou are responsible for your education, your growth, your knowledge, and your future. The best we can do is offer some useful suggestions, strategies, ideas, and systems that can help. Ultimately, it's up to you to use whatever fits your particular self with all of its particular situations, needs, and wants, and make it your own. You've made a terrific start by choosing to pursue an engineering education—take advantage of all it has to give you.