The New Student Programme PLUS MENTOR Groups

CHILL ‘N CHAT
Soft Skills for Engineers

So what are Soft Skills and how are they relevant to me?
Soft skills are the techniques you need to work with others. The things you were
not taught in engineering school. Skills like working on a team, networking with
other engineers, public speaking, successfully and gracefully convincing others of
your viewpoint all are considered to be soft skills.

Why do I need Soft Skills when I possess the technical skills?

In this competitive market, highly successful professional engineers those who are
not only technically astute, but often possess that something “extra”.... Moreover,
engineering usually involve working with others – TEAMWORK.

THE MODERN ENGINEER

TECHNICAL EMOTIONAL
INTELLIGENCE (30%) INTELLIGENCE (70%)

- Technical Education - Team-work Skills

- Logical Thought Process - Leadership Skills
- Good Work Ethics - Communication Skills
- Computer Literacy - Interpersonal Skills
- Self and Social Awareness
- Conflict-management Skills
- Organizational Skills

Prepared by T. Dhot, Student Success Mentor, 2006-2007 ….Soft Skills for Engineers
 The New Student Programme PLUS MENTOR Groups

How can you start developing the necessary soft skills NOW?

Take the Student Success Check-up which can help you identify some of
your strengths and weaknesses that may have an impact on your success at
university. Be sure to follow up with an individual or group session to
understand the results and make a personal action plan.
Take the Meyers Briggs Type Inventory to learn more about yourself and
how you can make your personality work for you.
Attend Counselling and Development workshops, or other seminars within the
university, so you can develop and practice yours skills. (Consider the PLUS
Leadership Workshop Series, and some of the career planning and job
search workshops.)
Get involved in GROUP PROJECTS and take your group assignments
seriously
Become an active member in at least one SOCIETY, ASSOCIATION or
CLUB on campus. Consider participating in the engineering games or an
engineering competition.
VOLUNTEER in group events, activities and associations to IMPROVE
YOUR SOCIAL SKILLS!
Don’t wait until your final year to prepare a good résumé. And keep your
résumé up-to-date and ready to show potential employers.
Choose your electives and non-core courses carefully to round out your skills
and knowledge. It is a good idea to take some management courses.

What separates “high-potential” engineers, who rapidly rise within their

organizations to positions of great prominence and leadership, from the
others?

Remember, GOOD SOFT SKILLS and EXTRA-CURRICULAR

XPERIENCES can give you and added edge! But of course, don't forget
about the TECHNICAL LEARNING part and DO YOUR BEST in
YOUR COURSES!

….Soft Skills for Engineers