Transcript Slide 1

ME 489 Practices of Modern Engineering
Lecture 10
February 22, 2011
comments on comments on comments
(In limbo)
Luis San Andres
Mast-Childs Tribology Professor
Texas A&M University
http://rotorlab.tamu.edu/me489
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Lecture 10
Date: February 22, 2011
Today:
… Comments on Comments
Team last Pick presents:
Driving-by Wire
Team Gilligan’s Blade presents:
Driverless Cars
Assignments & reading:
A3 – Due March 8 – Assess COE Strategic Plan
Other: complete ONE MINUTE PAPER
NO CLASS Thursday Feb 24, 2011
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Assignment 3
Due March 8
A Plan for Transforming Engineering Education at TAMU
TAMU College of Engineering – Strategic Plan (20112015)
Reflects on the global landscape and the pace of change in S&T
and proposes a transformation in engineering education (content
and delivery).
You will assess the goal for UG education and write why is the
transformation needed (now) and how well are you prepared to
face the challenges of engineering in the global marketplace
Be an active participant in your education!
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Schedule group presentations
Eng Works allows a
reply. Why not
uploading your
presentation?
Group Name
The Wrecking Crew
A&M Team
PLEASE E-mail a pdf file of
presentation for posting on class
URL site
Classic Style
The Better Team
Team Alpha
Last Pick
Gilligan's Blade
LeftOvers
Feb 28 Tuesday
• Select ONE EW, listen and discuss as a group
• Group prepares presentation (15 slides max) for
(max 15 min) +discussion in class
• Play EW and lead discussion in class
Note: MUST reference all material
copied from URLs, journals,
textbooks, etc
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Comments on lecture 8
(Ethics in the workplace),
group presentation &
others
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Ethics in the state of Texas
Who is in charge?
Professional Boards are in “charge” of professional
conduct, ethics and grievances. For example
State Bar of Texas (Law)
http://www.texasbar.com/rulesupdate/
Texas Board of Professional Engineers
https://www.tbpe.state.tx.us
Other (health, medical, government)
http://www.ethics.state.tx.us/
Practices of Modern Engineering – Spring 2011
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Ethics Professional Engineers
One of the requisites to become a licensed engineer
is to take & pass a Conducts and Ethics
Examination
Download information from
Texas Board of Professional Engineers
https://www.tbpe.state.tx.us
Exam questionnaire and Texas Practice Act and
Rules Concerning the Practice of Engineering
https://www.tbpe.state.tx.us/downloads.htm#ethics
Practices of Modern Engineering – Spring 2011
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Ethics in the workplace
To what extent Ethics plays a role in ME work
Professional integrity is an ethical asset.
Moral integrity & honor are most treasured
human values.
You live to practice it (24 h & 7 day & 365 day)
http://www.nus.edu.sg/nec/ed/tvf/tvf-seahlc270809.html
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Ethics in the workplace
Is Ethics common sense?
No. Common sense allows us to “sniff” a
potential problem (break in rules) if we stop to
think it.
One makes mistakes – To Err is Human but Learn
from mistakes
http://www.nus.edu.sg/nec/ed/tvf/tvf-seahlc270809.html
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Ethics in the workplace
What happens if a country that has different ethics
codes does something considered unethical or
illegal in the US?
Countries DO NOT practice Ethics and Moral Codes.
Individuals and organizations do. No matter where you
are, the practices and ethics of your company (employer)
prevail.
Learn to conduct business in various parts of the world.
See countries corruption perceptions index at
http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2010
http://www.nus.edu.sg/nec/ed/tvf/tvf-seahlc270809.html
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Ethics in the workplace
Punishment for bribery in the US
Loss of job.
Social outcast.
Civil prosecution (jail)
Pay penalties
http://www.nus.edu.sg/nec/ed/tvf/tvf-seahlc270809.html
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Ethics in the workplace
How do we approach clients & market company?
Build Trust (essential ingredient).
Neither you nor client can assume or expect
that the other has ulterior motives in
conducting a business transaction.
http://www.nus.edu.sg/nec/ed/tvf/tvf-seahlc270809.html
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Ethics in the workplace
After a deal is struck, is it legal and appropriate to
receive a gift of appreciation worth more than 50
dollars?
Perhaps. Never accept a gift for work
that you are supposed to do (it is
part of your regular duties or job
description)
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About conflict of interest
Since different cultures have different interpretations of an
event and hence there is no universal definition of “ethical
conduct,” what shall we do if there is a conflict of interest?
e.g. refusing a gift from a Chinese is a very disrespectful act, as gifts from
Chinese tend to be high in value.
Conflict of interest presumes one exploits a
professional or official capacity in some way
to obtain (gain) personal or corporate benefit.
Cultures do have different patterns of
accepted behavior; still (definition) of conflict
of interest holds.
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Questions
Are individuals allowed to paint large company
logos on their personal belongings and represent
their company on personal time?
Yes, you may. Think also about T-shirts, pens, etc.
Practices of Modern Engineering – Spring 2011
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OTHER comments & questions
Practices of Modern Engineering – Spring 2011
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The Gothard Tunnel
How much support for a similar tunnel through the
Rockies would there be in the US?
What do they do with the excavated rock?
Watch Discovery Channel – Extreme Engineering
http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/engineering/alpstunnel/interactive/interacti
ve.html
Why are trains more common in Europe?
Until the mid 20th century, railways in the US were the most
advanced in the world. Development of the Interstate Highway
System overtook railways for personal and (some) goods
transportation in the late 1930s’. Europe (and Asia) continue
investing in railways (and mass transportation) for cost
efficiency, energy savings and personal preferences.
Practices of Modern Engineering – Spring 2011
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High speed trains in the US
Any plans for HS railways?
Since the early 1990s Texas has proposed/awarded
franchises for a high speed corridor – the “Texas Triangle”
connecting Dallas/Fort Worth -Huston-Austin/San Antonio
with high speed railways. Private funding is a mandate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-speed_rail_in_the_United_States
Practices of Modern Engineering – Spring 2011
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Lana Wilson recommends
Watch a GREAT Movie: The Pirates of Silicone Valley
The history of Steve Jobs & Steve Wasniak (Apple) and Bill
Gates (Microsoft). It shows how you really have to believe
in and develop your ideas. It will pay off!
See also
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirates_of_Silicon_Valley
Based on Fire in the Valley: The Making of The Personal
Computer by P. Freiberger and M. Swaine
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Questions
Want to know more about SPORTS ENGINEERING?
Entertainment Eng. and Sports Eng. are fast growing branches of eng.
Every sports item (balls, bats, shoes, skies, etc.) are designed & tested to
satisfy specific needs for performance enhancement (long life, more or
less friction, more or less traction, etc). TRIBOLOGY contributes greatly
to the field of Sports Eng.
Visit ISEA (international Sports Engineering Association) at
http://www.sportsengineering.co.uk/
Univ. of Nevada (UNLV) offers a BS degree in Entertainment
Engineering and Design
http://www.eed.egr.unlv.edu/
Practices of Modern Engineering – Spring 2011
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Questions
Around this time of year, many students are looking for jobs
or getting ready to accept job offers. What should you look
for in a job offer? Can you negotiate certain things? What
questions should one ask once receiving an offer?
Besides $$ and benefits, you have to be satisfied with the
company's reputation, environment, and culture (growth
potential too). Offer must detail the role you will play in the
company. Get the intangibles in writing (further education,
travel and time away from home, balancing work and
personal life)
See resource (mailed) DECISION TIME! Salary evaluation
http://careercenter.tamu.edu/docs/SalaryEvaluationSlides.pdf
Practices of Modern Engineering – Spring 2011
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Question
How do some upper level classes and technical
electives lead to job opportunities & specialties?
Taking electives and involvement in
research projects gives you an
edge (a step in the door) to many
specialized jobs. Talk with faculty!
Practices of Modern Engineering – Spring 2011
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Comments on lecture 9
(prepare yourself), group
presentation & others
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Prepare yourself
The top 10
1. Poor planning on one’s part does not constitute
automatic emergency from others
2. Know corporate structure + follow chain of command
3. The inquisitive idiot: must ask, but think first
4. Own your project or assignment: anticipate needs
5. Less is more: work smarter, not harder
6. The enemy of good is perfect: learn when to stop
7. Keep a paper trail, write more and write well, It is not
what you know, it is what you can prove
8. Leave work at work
9 Mistakes are inevitable: GIGO
10. Save money early, pace yourself
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Prepare yourself
Great presentation, but I am surprised Ash did say
treat people the way you want to be treated… Best
presentation I’ve heard while at TAMU.
Ask presenter at the time. It is not impolite or
disrespectful.
Earning respect and treating others as one wants to
be treated are tracts practiced daily (they could be
lost in a second as well)
In Ash’s case it is most important since he deals with clients and suppliers, and
technical personnel with all levels of education and backgrounds.
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Prepare yourself
Pay for yourself?
Employer invests in you to be productive.
In short. Assume it costs your company (low
estimate) $200 k/year to keep you employed [salary
+ benefits + administrative cost ]. You must generate
business for at least $200k/year to break even, i.e.
to justify your employment (pay for yourself).
You will have rewards and recognition when
making more (net profit) and bring more (for
others).
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Recommendations for organizing?
Only one – start today!
Perpetual procrastination is the worst enemy
of organization.
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Questions?
Next lecture
02/28 –
“Culture and organizations”
Power Distance Index, Individualism vs
Collectivism
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Practices of
Modern
Engineering
© Luis San Andres
Texas A&M University
2011
http://rotorlab.tamu.edu/me489
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