2008 Woodie Awards
Selinger's life advice
Things you don't actually learn in class
Robert Dora
Issue date: 3/10/08 Section: News
Carl Selinger, author of the book "Stuff you don't learn in Engineering School," came to Clarkson on Friday, March 7. Selinger has given many lectures across the country, to both universities and businesses alike. The seminar was put together on short notice, but Selinger began at exactly 3:00 p.m., as he planned. He made sure to point out that it's always important to start and end meetings on time.
Selinger covered many topics during the presentation, but highlighted the most important areas. He reminded the crowd that no one knows where their career will end up, not even Clarkson students. His lecture was broken up into two main segments: soft skills and technical skills. Soft skills include: reading, writing, and public speaking, areas in which most can improve. This is especially true for many engineers.
Technical skills outline how competent one is at his or her job. Technical skills are the base of any profession and are what is most heavily taught at any university. The soft skills are important, but as Selinger pointed out, "employers expect you to know the technical stuff. Your abilities in the soft, nontechnical skills will be discriminators in getting hired, retained, and promoted."
Perhaps the main point that Selinger was trying to make is that no one knows the future. People are not always given notice of upcoming events. Decisions often need to be made quickly. This skill is required in almost any profession. As such, Selinger urged everyone to strive to improve their own soft skills.
Being able to communicate clearly and decisively is something that is always beneficial. He explained that most people fear having to give presentations and take on large responsibilities. Many new engineers have trouble getting past these fears. "So what are we to do? ... [Accept] responsibility for one's development," Selinger said adamantly.
Selinger covered many topics during the presentation, but highlighted the most important areas. He reminded the crowd that no one knows where their career will end up, not even Clarkson students. His lecture was broken up into two main segments: soft skills and technical skills. Soft skills include: reading, writing, and public speaking, areas in which most can improve. This is especially true for many engineers.
Technical skills outline how competent one is at his or her job. Technical skills are the base of any profession and are what is most heavily taught at any university. The soft skills are important, but as Selinger pointed out, "employers expect you to know the technical stuff. Your abilities in the soft, nontechnical skills will be discriminators in getting hired, retained, and promoted."
Perhaps the main point that Selinger was trying to make is that no one knows the future. People are not always given notice of upcoming events. Decisions often need to be made quickly. This skill is required in almost any profession. As such, Selinger urged everyone to strive to improve their own soft skills.
Being able to communicate clearly and decisively is something that is always beneficial. He explained that most people fear having to give presentations and take on large responsibilities. Many new engineers have trouble getting past these fears. "So what are we to do? ... [Accept] responsibility for one's development," Selinger said adamantly.
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