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Organization:Engineers Changing the Conversation

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1. Understand the Problem(s)

<li>Engineers most commonly want to be publicly perceived as partaking in a profession that is both challenging and important to society; however, the public often has difficulty understanding what differentiates engineers from various professions broadly categorized as "science" and "technology".</li><li>Engineers unintentionally communicate off-putting messages in overly technical terminology, discouraging further conversation.</li><li>Many Americans do not fully understand the engineering profession or what it entails, and most believe engineers to be less engaged with community and societal concerns than scientists. This failure to understand the engineering profession often surfaces in the media as well.</li><li>Engineering is largely under-diversified; there is a significant need to enroll more women and minorities in engineering education.</li><li>The United States is fairly uncompetitive in its output of college graduates in engineering careers. Compared to Asia and Europe, America has an engineering graduation rate of 4.5%, versus 21% and 12.5%, respectively.</li>

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2. Understand the Solution(s)

<li>The National Academy of Engineering has proposed four basic, yet inspirational messages that can be used in discussions regarding engineering, and has provided on-line examples of publications, brochures, news articles, etc. that utilize these messages to correctly demonstrate the value that engineers contribute to their communities and to society as a whole.</li>

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<li>Engineers are creative problem solvers</li><li>Engineers make a world of difference</li><li>Engineering is essential to our health, happiness, and safety</li><li>Engineers help shape the future</li>

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3. Understand How to Take Action

<li>Website viewers are encouraged to take action in their community, to understand what engineers do, and to help engineers become increasingly effective in their communication about their profession. These "Take Action" offerings include:</li>

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<li>Suggested examples, which are archived under the "Actions Taken" page to serve as a resource pool to those looking to promote awareness.</li><li>The Changing the Conversation (CTC) blog, with updated writings and examples to share advice and experiences that promote constructive engagement in discussions on engineering.</li><li>The CTC Tool Kit, which includes a wealth of promotional and educational materials such as posters and Powerpoint slides. In addition to these materials, a section of tips for effective messaging and guide to social media platforms and blogs to use for communicating the goals of CTC.</li><li>A directory of the current CTC community, which include brief profiles of current engineers, students, and university faculty who are committee members.</li>

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Annahecht

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