Talk with an advanced engineering student who changed his or her engineering field of study as a result of a co-op or intern work experience. What factors in this student's experience caused him or her to do so? Does he or she view this work experience as a disadvantage or as an advantage to his or her overall career planning?

Short Answer

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Question: Based on the provided solution, describe the main goal of the exercise, and list the steps involved in conducting the interview and analyzing the information collected. Answer: The main goal of the exercise is to identify the factors that contributed to an advanced engineering student's decision to change their field of study due to a co-op or intern work experience, and determine whether they view this experience as an advantage or disadvantage for their overall career planning. The steps involved include: 1) Preparing for the interview by researching the engineering fields and developing open-ended questions. 2) Conducting the interview by arranging a comfortable meeting and taking detailed notes or recording the conversation. 3) Identifying the factors that led to the change in the student's field of study during the interview. 4) Assessing the student's view of the experience as advantageous or disadvantageous. 5) Analyzing and summarizing the interview findings, focusing on the key factors influencing the student's decision and whether the experience was considered an advantage or disadvantage for their career planning.

Step by step solution

01

Prepare for the Interview

Begin by researching the engineering fields the student switched from and to, to better understand the potential reasons for their decision. Familiarize yourself with common work experiences in both fields and prepare a set of open-ended questions to guide the interview. Also, develop probes for follow-up questions to encourage more in-depth answers.
02

Conduct the Interview

Arrange a meeting with the advanced engineering student, whether in person, by phone, or through a virtual platform. Start by establishing rapport and explaining the purpose of the interview. Make sure to create a comfortable atmosphere for the student to share their experiences. Take detailed notes or record the conversation, with the student's consent.
03

Identify Factors That Led to the Change

As you engage in the conversation, pay close attention to the factors the student identifies as being influential in their decision to change engineering fields. These could include the nature of the work, exposure to new technologies, personal interests, or job prospects, among other possibilities. Take note of recurring themes and specific examples provided by the student.
04

Assess the View of the Experience as Advantageous or Disadvantageous

Throughout the interview, ask the student to reflect on whether they view their co-op or intern work experience as an advantage or a disadvantage in their overall career planning. Consider the extent to which the work experience may have influenced their choice of specialization, potential job prospects, and future goals. Similarly, take note of any challenges or drawbacks the student acknowledges as a result of their decision to switch fields.
05

Analyze and Summarize Interview Findings

After conducting the interview, review your notes and consolidate the main points identified in the previous steps. Summarize the key factors that influenced the student's decision, and provide a clear conclusion on whether they view their work experience as an advantage or disadvantage to their career planning. Reflect on any commonalities or contrasts between their experiences and those typically seen in the engineering fields they transitioned between.

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