What’s the key to thriving in a world of constant change? In our inaugural episode, Barbara Humpton, CEO of Siemens USA, reveals how lifelong learning and digital innovation are shaping the workforce of tomorrow. Barbara shares insights that inspire action and redefine success.

Key Takeaways:

(03:16) Curiosity and initiative are essential for lifelong success.

(08:21) Early career peer reviews build teamwork and skills for success.

(15:28) Digital twins optimize systems, boost sustainability and cut costs.

(18:07) Digital tools empower both experienced professionals and new workers.

(20:00) Bridging generational gaps creates innovation and collaboration.

(24:19) Universities must embrace flexible, lifelong learning models.

(31:14) Community colleges are critical for upskilling a diverse workforce.

(33:55) Workforce transformation requires partnerships with industry leaders.

(39:01) Lifelong learning tools like My Learning World enhance skill-building accessibility.

(44:45) Enjoy the journey — learning is a continuous, fun process.

Resources Mentioned:

Barbara Humpton | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-humpton/

Siemens USA | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/siemens/

George Mason University: https://www.gmu.edu/

University of Colorado Boulder Sustainability Credential: https://www.colorado.edu/

Siemens My Learning World: https://mylearningworld.siemens.com/web/en/login

NSF summary: Putting Skills First: A Framework for Action | World Economic Forum: https://www.weforum.org/publications/putting-skills-first-a-framework-for-action/

Thanks for listening to “Engineering the Future Workforce.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations.

#EngineeringEducation #ElectricalEngineering #MechanicalEngineering

What if your classroom project involved designing a Formula 1-style car to compete in an international race?

In this episode of Innovation in the Classroom, Shannon O'Donnell dives into the thrilling world of Formula SAE, where innovative engineering students push the boundaries of design, performance, and teamwork. Join me as I chat with Hong Wee Lim, the Project Supervisor for the National University of Singapore's (NUS) Formula SAE team. 

Every year, his team designs, builds, and races Formula 1-style cars, preparing to compete on the global stage at Michigan's Formula SAE (FSAE) student engineering competition. But behind the thrill of competition lies a relentless cycle of sleepless nights, technical failures, and fierce deadlines as these students face the daunting challenge of turning their designs into race-ready machines.

Hong Wee offers a unique glimpse into how the NUS team transforms classroom theories into high-speed reality. From his journey as a mechanical engineer to managing a group of passionate students, Hong Wee Lim shares the highs and lows of leading a project that combines intense technical learning, innovative problem-solving, and the adrenaline rush of motorsports.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Connect with 

Shannon O'Donnell 

Linkedin

Hong Wee Lim

Website

LinkedIn

As mentioned in the podcast

NUS Formula SAE

NUS Engineering Design and Innovation Centre

Hands-on learning is more than just a way to enhance your skills; it's a powerful tool that opens doors to networking, career opportunities, and personal growth. In today’s fast-paced world, where theoretical knowledge alone isn't enough, practical experiences are crucial in shaping a successful future.

In this episode of our podcast, Dora Smith interviews two inspiring students, Buket Kurtulus, and Ayman Suhrawardy, to explore the transformative power of experiential learning and its profound impact on their academic and professional journeys.

Buket, a master's student in computer science with a focus on machine learning, and Ayman, a biomedical engineering junior, share how internships, research, and participation in innovative programs like the Siemens Student Ambassador Program have fueled their passion and set the stage for their career aspirations.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Resources Mentioned:

• Siemens Software Student Connect LinkedIn Group

Connect with Buket Kurtulus: 

• LinkedIn

Connect with Ayman Suhrawardy

• LinkedIn

Education across the globe has seen monumental shifts in the last four years, and the field of engineering is no exception.

I am your host, Dora Smith. Today we've invited Shannon O'Donnell, who leads global academic engagement at Siemens digital industry software, to help us talk about engineering education in South Korea. Shannon O'Donnell talks to Dr. Yim,  a professor of engineering at Hongik University, and Dr. Donghyuk Shin, an assistant professor at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).

In this episode, you will learn about the importance of the Collaboration between academia and industry, and the importance of the Integration of real-world applications and hands-on learning opportunities in the classroom to enhance students' understanding and readiness for the industry. In addition, you will also get to hear about the dynamic nature of engineering education in South Korea, and the importance of continuous adaptation to meet the evolving needs of students and the industry.

In this episode, you will learn about:

Connect with Shannon O'Donnell:

• LinkedIn

Connect with Dora Smith:

• LinkedIn

Earlier this year, Siemens held the Sustainability Design Hack at their Realize Live 2023 event to address sustainability challenges and encourage college students to come up with creative and impactful solutions to these challenges. The idea behind this Design Hack was to provide students with real-life experience of sustainability challenges within the industry and give them access to mentors and industry experts to help them along the way.

In this episode, Shannon O'Donnell interviews two individuals who took part in this challenge: Ava Boley, a fourth-year mechanical engineering student with an aerospace concentration at Michigan State University, and Ricardo Ramirez, a recent electromechanical engineering graduate from Seneca College.

They will share with us how the Siemens Sustainability Design Hack tested their problem-solving skills and creativity and offered a unique opportunity to collaborate with industry experts and peers. Through their participation, Ava and Ricardo also share how they have gained practical insights into the complexities of engineering design, particularly in sustainability and the automotive sector. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Connect with Ava Boley:

• LinkedIn

Connect with Ricardo Ramirez:

• LinkedIn

In the world we live in, the impacts of climate change are becoming more apparent every day. Weather patterns are getting more unpredictable and severe, affecting underserved communities the most. So, what can we do through technology and education to come up with practical and sustainable solutions for these challenges?

I am your host, Dora Smith. Today, I am joined by Alberto Martinetti, an associate professor with a background in mining engineering, and Nikola Petrova, a lecturer with experience in educational science and curriculum development. In today's episode, our guests both share their individual motivations for getting involved in the field of Humanitarian Engineering.

In this episode, you will learn about the dynamic intersection of education, technology, and sustainability in Humanitarian Engineering. You will also get to hear more about the commitment of Alberto, Nikola, and the University of Twente to educating engineers who are not only technically skilled but also sensitive to the needs of underserved communities.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Connect with Alberto Martinetti:

• LinkedIn

Connect with Nikola Petrova:

• LinkedIn

Connect with Dora Smith:

• LinkedIn

Simulation technology has come a long way in recent years. Once the idea of science fiction stories, today they have become an everyday reality. 

Simulation plays an important role in revolutionizing many industries. And the aerospace industry is among the sectors that have benefited from the success of simulation applications to date. 

Joining us today is Jonas Edman, business development consultant of Simcenter academic solutions, and Dr. Tom Stoumbos, simulation and test leader at Northrop Grumman, a pioneering company responsible for some of the world's most advanced products. They will share with us the role of simulation technology in aerospace engineering, comparing past, present, and future advancements. They will also help us understand the importance of partnering with academia and other industry partners when it comes to innovation.

In this episode you will learn about the comparison of the tech of the past to the tech of today, and also the tech of the future. You will also get to hear about the transformative power of collaboration, innovation, and the integration of academia, industry, and government agencies in driving the future of simulation technology and space exploration.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Connect with Jonas Edman :

• LinkedIn

Connect with Tom Stoumbos:

Change is inevitable!

As technology students are exposed to changes, the need to change the teaching approach is becoming stronger. That’s because you want a teaching method that harnesses the skills students are gaining from their interactions with the latest technology. 

On the other hand, competition in the industry has forced companies to embrace technology. However, the shortage of personnel who are passionate about technology has been a big challenge. Academia is thus well-positioned to bridge the gap between the many tech-passionate students and the tech-starved industry.

In this episode, Dora Smith interviews Tim Simpson, a Paul Morrow Professor of Engineering Design and Manufacturing at the Pennsylvania State University. Tim and his students have worked with a diversified list of hundreds of companies on up to 600 projects. More recent work has ranged from finding ways to preserve the aviation ecosystem.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Connect with Tim:

When preparing students for industry, you must have the end goal in mind. You must prepare them for what the industry expects from them and what it takes to succeed and thrive beyond their classes. This can be done by ensuring that students get industry experience while still in school.

Industry experience will help them see the value in teamwork, communication skills, and new technologies. Without industry experience, students can easily close their minds to these essential life skills and only focus on good grades. This will make it harder for them to adjust to the industry’s expectations after graduation. 

In this episode, Dora Smith interviews Oscar Barton, Jr., the dean of Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr., School of Engineering at Morgan State University. He’ll help us understand what it takes to prepare students for industry. He also discusses the importance of diversity in both academia and industry.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Connect with Oscar:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Preparing students for industry involves more than just teaching them general engineering principles. It would be best to teach them how to use the industry’s tools and the teamwork culture. This will make them more confident and ease the challenge of transitioning from student to employee.

At the same time, the industry needs to adjust its approach to dealing with employees to attract new graduates. That’s because young engineers have a different set of needs, such as a preference for hybrid working environments.

In this episode, Shannon O’Donnel interviews Kathy Stevenson, senior academic teaching specialist in the mechanical engineering department at Michigan State University. She’ll share with us what she does to prepare her students for the industry after graduation. She’ll also share her thoughts on what the industry should do to prepare for younger graduates.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Connect with Kathy:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.