International Summer Program in Railroad Engineering
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
12-1-2006
Abstract
The railroad industry has identified a need for engineers as many will be retiring over the next few years and freight rail traffic is predicted to increase. The challenge is finding engineers from university campuses, where careers and education in railroad engineering have been forgotten. Michigan Tech University saw a unique opportunity for innovative six-credit summer program that combines introductory railroad engineering with cultural and language studies and includes a study-abroad component. The railroad industry is supporting the program by providing guest lecturers, industry-hosted technical tours and scholarships. The program has increased students' excitement toward rail careers and allowed them to experience and compare two different rail systems and cultures. The industry has responded by setting up summer internships for program participants and by hiring several of them for full time positions. This paper will highlight the features of the program, the outcomes, future opportunities, successes and lessons learned in setting up an escorted study abroad experience in engineering. © 2006 IEEE.
Publication Title
Proceedings - Frontiers in Education Conference, FIE
Recommended Citation
Lautala, P.
(2006).
International Summer Program in Railroad Engineering.
Proceedings - Frontiers in Education Conference, FIE.
http://doi.org/10.1109/FIE.2006.322310
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/10433