THERORY TO PRACTICE
Application of New SkillsLooking into the future, I see this minor as being an incredible tool for setting me apart in the workplace. The theories, leadership strategies, and decision making tools have given me a unique skillset that will lead me to better utilize my talents and knowledge. Being successful in the engineering workplace requires employees to be flexible, good at working in teams, and strong communication skills. These skills are almost entirely left out of the engineering curriculum, and many engineers enter the field severely lacking these skills. The best engineers are able to apply their coursework to solve complex problems in a collaborative environment. The skills I have gained from this program will help me be a better teammate, more effective communicator, and more effective leader.
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Impact of Leadership GrowthTaking the leadership styles I observed in Europe back to America will greatly increase my value as a leader and team member. Corporations are becoming more and more international and every large engineering-based company has operations in Europe and Asia. The employees at these companies come from every corner of the globe, and going into the workplace with my knowledge of European workplace culture will greatly improve my ability to communicate and work with them in a team.
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Useful Decision Making ModelIn FTM 484, we learned about the simple decision matrix that is useful for evaluating the risk versus reward for the possible solutions to a problem. It is often difficult to approach problems in the workplace due to high-complexity. Outlining the different external outcomes and thinking about the results based on which course of action is effective for approaching complex problems. The risk versus reward will become apparent using this method and it makes it easier to make a plan of action. Adding this decision making method will make me a more effective engineer by allowing me to approach problems strategically while also making it easier to share the scope of a problem with my co-workers in order to get their input.
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New Way to Approach Complex ProblemsThe six hats method is another way of approaching complex problems. Using this method requires you to analyze a problem using six different mindsets. Many engineers will only look at a problem using only Process, Facts and Benefits. By analyzing creative ways to approach a problem, new solutions may appear that are better than the ones you initially thought of. Using intuition can be useful if you are torn between two similar solutions after using the simple decision matrix. Finally, analyzing the weakness or dangers or a design is essential to delivering a safe product or reliable solution.
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