Waterloo Engineering graduating students were treated to an inspirational talk on success inside and outside the classroom. They received advice on next steps as they approach graduation by Dr. Jenny Howcroft, a continuing lecturer in the Department of Systems Design Engineering and recipient of the inaugural Boyce Family Teaching Award.
Howcroft stressed the importance of lifelong learning and continually building a wide range of skills, not just the technical skills traditionally associated with engineering. She highlighted the need for engineers to cultivate soft skills alongside their technical prowess to set themselves apart and build on the base of technical skills they learn at Waterloo. In particular, she emphasized the importance of emotional intelligence skills like empathy, building relationships with stakeholders both within and outside of engineering, and seriously considering their own social responsibility in the work they will do in their future careers.
When asked to expand on these key skills that can set graduates apart as they look to start their careers, Howcroft provided a broader perspective on key skills she advises students to develop as they prepare for their futures as engineers.
Foster Empathy: Howcroft emphasized that solving the world's complex problems requires engineers who can engage with users, stakeholders, clients, and colleagues with empathy to develop a deep appreciation for their context, needs, and insights. She highlighted the increasing significance of empathy in human-centered design processes and teamwork.
Think Critically: With the increase of disinformation and misinformation and the associated rise of generative AI, critical thinking becomes paramount. Howcroft emphasized the importance of being able to critically assess content to determine if it can be trusted and to consider how to integrate generative AI into engineering work in a way that adds value.
Stay Curious: Howcroft encouraged graduates to keep their curiosity alive and seek out opportunities to learn new skills, techniques, and ways of knowing. With the rapid advances seen in technology, it is important to stay at the forefront of technological developments while also showing a willingness to broaden one’s knowledge base in other areas. Howcroft shared how she has been participating in Indigenous Reconciliation Circles led by Leslie Wexler (CTE) as an example of being open to learning about different ways of knowing. Constant curiosity, she noted, has been a key factor in her own successful career.
The annual Boyce Family Teaching award, established in 2023, recognizes faculty members who exceed the Faculty of Engineering’s expectations in teaching performance, through their commitment to student connection, diverse teaching methods and opportunities for experiential learning. The recipients of the award present a special lecture on a topic – typically outside the syllabus – with one more bit of advice before graduation.
You can watch Howcroft’s full ‘...And One More Thing’ lecture on YouTube. Faculty and students can keep an eye out for the 2024 call for instructor entries to the Boyce Family Teaching Excellence Award later this year.
Tuesday, March 5, 2024