Engineering students - past and present

[SlashWylde]

I'm currently in the last semester of my BE degree in electronics and computer engineering at Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) here in Auckland. I am also a student rep and together with the academic body I'm concerned about the low level of student patronage we're experiencing in the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) dept. at MIT at present.

I promised the head of department I'd gather some information from other NZ engineering students past and present as to where they studied and why, and their perceptions of MIT.

My questions are:

1. Where did you choose to study engineering?
2. Why did you choose that institution?
3. What qualification did you undertake?
4. What engineering discipline did you study and why?
5. What did you enjoy about your chosen course?
6. What was lacking in your chosen course?
7. How do you feel your qualification has served you now that you are in the workplace?
8. What is your perception of MIT?
9. What would make you choose MIT as a place to study?
10. Why would you not choose MIT as a place to study?
11. Anything else you'd care to add...

I'd appreciate any constructive comments you guys could make.

Thanks in advance for taking the time.

-SW.

[Mikkel]

8. My perception of MIT is that it is the Massachussets Institute of Technology.

Sorry if it's not as constructive as it could be - and I'm not trying to be a smartarse either. But reading your post you had me very confused, considering your location says Auckland
Fortunately google.co.nz does come up with Manakau Institute of Technology - albeit as the 4th or 5th hit.

Let me know if it makes any sense for a Ph.D. student with an over-seas M.Sc. Engineering background to answer your questions and I'll be more than happy to PM it to you.

[SlashWylde]

Fair comment. Original post amended.

Yes, please PM me with any comments or thoughts you may have regarding my questions and your personal experiences of studying engineering.

Thanks.

[Drum]

1. Canterbury University;
2. Because there were only two real engineering schools in NZ at the time and I didn't want to live in Auckland;
3. BE Hons;
4. Civil, because I like building big things out of concrete and steel;
5. Particularly enjoyed applied courses, as opposed to the raw mathematics. My favourite paper was 'History of Civil Engineering' - maybe I should have studied history?;
6. Lessons in effective communication and report writing. These were only touched on briefly but are crucial in the real world;
7. I wouldn't have got a job as a civil engineer without it, so I suppose it has served me pretty well. However, the real learning did not start until I entered the workplace;
8. Never met anyone that studied there. Do they have an engineering school?
9. The location wouldn't appeal to me I'm afraid;
10. I know nothing about MIT so cannot comment beyond it's location;
11. It would seem to me that in order to increase your patronage you would need to improve your profile. Get out into the schools and promote both the industry and your institution.

[paturoa]

Where did you choose to study engineering? Auck uni
Why did you choose that institution? Closest to home
What qualification did you undertake? - BE
What engineering discipline did you study and why? Electrical & Electronic
What did you enjoy about your chosen course? Bugger all
What was lacking in your chosen course? Real world application
How do you feel your qualification has served you now that you are in the workplace? Opened the first door
What is your perception of MIT? I have no visibility of it
What would make you choose MIT as a place to study? Mid life crisis?
Why would you not choose MIT as a place to study? na
Anything else you'd care to add... na

[notme]

1. Where did you choose to study engineering?

MIT (Manukau not MassyChewSets) and Auckland Uni

1. Why did you choose that institution?

MIT because it was the only one that offered the degree I wanted (BTech). In those days (90's) The BTech was NOT the BTech that it is now, it was a 4.5 year degree and now is basically a couple of years of certificate course. The BTech was dropped when MIT aligned itself with Auckland Uni and it became a BE. It becasu less focussed, easier, and less well taught. Worst move ever IMHO. Ask any student that was part of the transition group or any lecturer who is worth thier salt and they'll tell you the same. Auckland Uni for the BSci just because I wanted to experience another institution and they did summer school so i could get ahead during holidays.

1. What qualification did you undertake?

BTech and BSc

1. What engineering discipline did you study and why?

Electronics specializing in hardware. Because it had always interested me and everyone else was doing software - proved to be a good decision as I am now in demand to the point where I can negotiate pay rates fairly hard!

1. What did you enjoy about your chosen course?

A few specific lecturers, and the first 2 years before the change to BE.

1. What was lacking in your chosen course?

the talent of a few specific lecturers, and the content of the last few years.

1. How do you feel your qualification has served you now that you are in the workplace?

very well, to the point where my perception across 5 professional postitions so far is that Hons doesn't make as much of a difference as the institution you studied at, and after the first 3 years of working nothng makes more difference than your current skill set and what you have in your portfolio of completed projects. The degree and where you got it only serves to get you into the first position so that you can start the real learning.

1. What is your perception of MIT?

it has gone downhill.

1. What would make you choose MIT as a place to study?

hard to answer, havent been there recently.

1. Why would you not choose MIT as a place to study?

as above....although i do remember parking and vehicle security was always a problem, and some admin stuff sucked like you turn up having made preparations and maybe moved cities, and the timetable is changed at the last moment. seemed to happen with regularity, exams would be changed willy nilly too.

1. Anything else you'd care to add...

D.W. SlashWylde knows who he is, people like him and MJH are hardass horrible people with little people skills who push you till it hurts and are so non PC that it's a wonder they haven't been fired. Thank god for them, or I wouldn't be where I am today. With the rise of this PC nation that we are becoming, I worry that kids are spending too much time learning the resistor colour code in Maori or the correct protocol for greeting Japanese contractors ona building site, and not enough time learning "real" engineering.

[Blackbird]

D.W. SlashWylde knows who he is, people like him and MJH are hardass horrible people with little people skills who push you till it hurts and are so non PC that it's a wonder they haven't been fired. Thank god for them, or I wouldn't be where I am today. With the rise of this PC nation that we are becoming, I worry that kids are spending too much time learning the resistor colour code in Maori or the correct protocol for greeting Japanese contractors ona building site, and not enough time learning "real" engineering.

I graduated in Mechanical Engineering in 1971, a bit of a long time ago . The one thing I hope is still universally offered, is practical time during vacations by prospective employers and universities have a vital role in helping to facilitate this. As an engineering student employer prior to my semi-retirement, giving practical time made a huge difference in raising the ability of a student to hit the ground running on graduation. By this, I don't only mean engineering skills, but the ability to inter-relate to people in the workforce, especially tradespeople. I completed an apprenticeship before my company sponsored me to Engineering School and it was hard to be arrogant when the tradesmen at work either flushed "those fancy notions" out of my head down the toilet, or covered my balls with "engineers blue" each time I came back to work

[hazard02]

1. Massey University Albany
2. Decent reputation, excellent engineering department, smaller class sizes, and when I started the fees were considerably lower than Auckland Uni.
3. BE with Honours
4. Mechatronics. I've always had a keen interest in robotics, and there is BIG money to be made.
5. (Still studying) - As part of our degree we're required to complete 300 hours work each xmas break in an electrical/mechanical engineering job. Its great for building contacts, and the Uni gives you a hand if you get stuck.
6. I guess the course structure was a little tedious. The first 2 1/2 years were theory theory theory which we are only now getting a chance to put in to practice.
7. In a couple of places that I've worked, the fact that I'm on my way to a BE has bumped me up a few rungs in the company structure, regardless of my experience or lack thereof.
8. In my opinion, its more of a polytech than a university. It doesnt place in the QS World University Rankings. In saying that, I haven't had much interaction with MIT students, so I can't really judge the quality of education provided there.
9. A good international reputation for starters.
10. Listed above
11. No.

[P38]

I cant really remember anything remarkable about MIT.

Apart from it was the scummy place next to the

Otara Chopping Centre

[P38]

I graduated in Mechanical Engineering in 1971, a bit of a long time ago . The one thing I hope is still universally offered, is practical time during vacations by prospective employers and universities have a vital role in helping to facilitate this. As an engineering student employer prior to my semi-retirement, giving practical time made a huge difference in raising the ability of a student to hit the ground running on graduation. By this, I don't only mean engineering skills, but the ability to inter-relate to people in the workforce, especially tradespeople. I completed an apprenticeship before my company sponsored me to Engineering School and it was hard to be arrogant when the tradesmen at work either flushed "those fancy notions" out of my head down the toilet, or covered my balls with "engineers blue" each time I came back to work

Oh yeah

Marking Blue on the balls

An oldie but goodie

A tool box full of axil grease was the usual pay back from me. Hehehehe

[Patar]

1. Where did you choose to study engineering?
University of Auckland
2. Why did you choose that institution?
I live in Auckland, had been there with my highschool class, it is supposed to have one of the best Engineering departments in the country.
3. What qualification did you undertake?
BE
4. What engineering discipline did you study and why?
Environmental
5. What did you enjoy about your chosen course?
I liked it, seriously though, I liked the subject matter.
6. What was lacking in your chosen course?
Final year I find a lack of environmental options, especially with regards to low impact design.
7. How do you feel your qualification has served you now that you are in the workplace?
I'm still a bum uni student, but I can see already that it will be a huge plus having an engineering degree not just for the specialist skills aquired.
8. What is your perception of MIT?
It's down south, eeew. But tbh I didn't even know they did engineering.
9. What would make you choose MIT as a place to study?
Wouldn't have a clue
10. Why would you not choose MIT as a place to study?
It's not central, not as widely known as Auckland Uni so perception would have it that you wouldn't be as competitive in the workplace.
11. Anything else you'd care to add...
Much, but this is neither the time nor place.

[Timmay]

Currently studying - on my last paper

1. AUT...U...U....U....U
2. Was reccomended by engineers i had been working with
3. Bachelor of engineering technology (3 yr) Major Mechanical
4. Mechanical, i like making and designing things, I know about electronics but like physical things more
5. It was taught, not lectured
6. Girls
7. Very well, plenty of useful pratical and theoretical knoledge and experience was gained
8. Like the other guy said, first thought is massechusetts, second thought it it is an "institute" in south auckland
9. perhaps if i lived out south
10. because it is an institute, not a university
11. I am concerned not only about low graduate numbers but also the quality of those graduates, I don't think many AUTU grads will make very good engineers.

[SlashWylde]

Currently studying - on my last paper
11. I am concerned not only about low graduate numbers but also the quality of those graduates, I don't think many AUTU grads will make very good engineers.

Some interesting comments there Timmay, thanks for that.

In particular, why do you not think that many AUT engineering graduates will make good engineers?

[Whynot]

1. Where did you choose to study engineering?
   AUT
   
2. Why did you choose that institution?
   Small Classes, low fees, decent facilities
   
3. What qualification did you undertake?
   BE
   
4. What engineering discipline did you study and why?
   Electrical Power Systems - Because it was interesting and very technical
   
5. What did you enjoy about your chosen course?
   Small classes, interaction with tutors, friday afternoons at the pub
   
6. What was lacking in your chosen course?
   Nothing i can think of
   
7. How do you feel your qualification has served you now that you are in the workplace?
   Very well, although like most i have ended up doing something different to what i studied
   
8. What is your perception of MIT?
   Its a technical institute in south auckland .... thats about all i know
   
9. What would make you choose MIT as a place to study?
   I dont want to study anymore
   
10. Why would you not choose MIT as a place to study?
    If i was to continue study it would be at a university
    
11. Anything else you'd care to add...

[geoffm]

1. Where did you choose to study engineering?
Auckland (BE 1987-91), Canterbury (MEFE 2003-06) (and Waikato MBA via MIT - 1996-87 but that doesn't count in this case...)
2. Why did you choose that institution?
Auckland - because I lived there
Canterbury - only fire engineering school in NZ and there are relatively few in the world, and UC is also better than the ones in Oz, and a solid international standing and research
3. What qualification did you undertake?
BE and MEFE
4. What engineering discipline did you study and why?
BE - mechanical - because
ME - fire - already experience in the building industry, and it has a worldwide job shortage
5. What did you enjoy about your chosen course?
BE - booze, bikes...
ME - postgrad is self taught in many ways.
6. What was lacking in your chosen course?
BE -usual problem of to many students for resources - it was hard to get time on the VAX minicomputer and dumb terminals...
7. How do you feel your qualification has served you now that you are in the workplace?
Wouldn't have my job without it
8. What is your perception of MIT?
Who? aren't they a polytech?
9. What would make you choose MIT as a place to study?
Course, international / employer recognition of qualifications
10. Why would you not choose MIT as a place to study?
Not recognised as a university with known and established record. A Au or UC degree is "worth more" in our market area for getting a job.
11. Anything else you'd care to add...