23 June 2025 marks the 12th annual International Women in Engineering Day, honoring the invaluable contributions made by women engineers worldwide.

Trailblazing Women in Engineering

Throughout history, women engineers have indelibly shaped STEM and society alike through groundbreaking innovations.

Among the world’s many notable pioneers, British engineer and mathematician Hertha Ayrton’s award-winning work in the late 1800s and early 1900s enabled a deeper understanding of electric arcs and ripple effects in sand and water.

American chemist and physicist Esther Conwell’s mid-late 20th century work on the properties of semiconductors and organic conductors helped establish the foundations of modern computing.

And after becoming the world’s first woman to earn a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering in 1929, Canada’s Elsie MacGill played a key role in designing and overseeing the production of over 1,400 Hawker Hurricane fighter planes. These aircraft proved pivotal to the defeat of the Axis powers during World War II.

Modern Day Achievements

More recently, Japan native and computer scientist Yoky Matsuoka, who has held high-level technology roles at Google, Apple, and Nest, conducted landmark research that combined the properties of both neuroscience and robotics. Through this unique approach – a field she named “neurobotics” — she worked to create more realistic prosthetics for amputees.

Britain’s Claire Tomlin, who has taught at Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley, brought her expertise in aeronautics, astronautics, and electrical engineering to advance the development of unmanned aerial vehicles and air traffic control.

And Texas-based professor Naomi Halas’ research in nanotechnology and her invention of “nanoshells” – tiny glass particles with unique optical properties – holds tremendous promise for destroying cancerous tissue. Her efforts are revolutionizing biomedical imaging, photothermal therapy, and drug delivery.

Engage in Continuing Education and Support Women in Engineering

IEEE proudly supports and recognizes the many women engineers who are shaping the industry and inspiring the next generation of female leaders in engineering.

Below are just some of IEEE’s continuing education course opportunities that are led or feature content written by at least one female instructor.

Emerging Technologies
  • AI Standards: Roadmap for Ethical and Responsible Digital Environments:
    This five-course program, co-led by Eleanor ‘Nell’ Watson, a world-renowned machine intelligence researcher and expert on machine vision and AI ethics, offers a comprehensive approach to creating ethical and responsible digital ecosystems. Learn more about the course program>>
  • Introduction to Blockchain Technology
    Through in-depth case studies, a discussion of Bitcoin and its connection to blockchain-based technology, and an overview of the pros and cons of decentralization in blockchain technology, this three-hour course program will help learners understand how blockchain can transform their industry. The course is instructed by Morgen Peck, freelance technology journalist with years of experience covering Bitcoin and the blockchain technologies for IEEE Spectrum Magazine, Wired, Scientific American, American Banker, and others. Learn more about the course program>>
Computational & Engineering Methods
  • Finite Element Method for Photonics
    This five-hour course program provides a current and comprehensive account of FEM in photonics devices. With an emphasis on practical, problem-solving applications and real-world examples, learners will understand how mathematical concepts translate to computer code finite-element-based methods. Instructor Arti Agrawal is an Associate Professor in the School of Data and Electrical Engineering at the University of Technology Sydney. Learn more about the course program>>
  • High Performance Computing: Achieving Performance and Efficiency
    This course provides the context for current and near-future CPUs and GPUS as well as what developers will need to know when they program them. The course covers everything from the programming languages dominating the field of HPC to the architecture of parallel programming models and workflow management requirements in large-scale HPC environments. Co-instructor Barbara Chapman, Ph.D. is a Distinguished Technologist for the Cray Programming Environment at Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), was a longtime Professor of Computer Science at Stony Brook University, and remains affiliated with the Department of Computer Science and the Institute for Advanced Computational Science. Learn more about the course program>>
Cybersecurity & Systems Reliability
  • Automotive Cyber Security: Protecting the Vehicular Network
    This five-course program covers automotive cyber security solutions and requirements for intelligent vehicles as well as the infrastructure of intelligent transportation systems. A contributing course instructor is Irish Singh, Ph.D., former Assistant Professor/Director of ReBlockchain Group at ECIS, Woosong University, South Korea and current faculty member at the Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls, Oregon, U.S. Learn more about the course program>>.
  • Software and Systems Engineering Standards: Life Cycle Processes
    This course shows systems engineers how to use IEEE standards for life cycle processes, understand life cycle and engineering process concepts, select and apply useful systems and software engineering standards, and employ special considerations for the critical programs of defense and aerospace. Instructor Annette Reilly, Ph.D., an active member of the ISO/IEC standards development committee for systems and software engineering, brings extensive field expertise to the topic based on her 31-year-career with Lockheed Martin and her roles as co-editor of ISO/IEC/IEEE 12207, Software engineering—Life cycle processes as well as editor or co-editor of 12 other standards. Learn more about the course program>>
Professional Skills & Communication
  • IEEE English for Technical Professionals
    This online 14-course program will help both professional engineers/technical professionals whose first language may not be English and native speakers alike to strengthen their English language skills through practical activities for reading, writing, and speaking. Instructors include Traci Nathans-Kelly, Ph.D., Director of the Engineering Communications Program at Cornell University, and Susan Matson, M.S., a Teaching Fellow for the U.S. Department of State in Eastern Europe as well as National Director of Curriculum for a multi-site Intensive English Program in the U.S. Learn more about the course program>>

Experts confirm that current and future needs for electricity may soon exceed our global supply. New AI-driven data centers, electric vehicle charging stations, energy-intensive manufacturing operations, and a growing volume of internet connections are placing an increasing strain on outdated electric grids. This looming reality has since challenged utilities, grid operators, technologists, and regulators to reconcile existing electric capacity with rising demand.

It subsequently comes as no surprise that interest in renewable energy sources and related green technologies continues to grow. These solutions reduce carbon footprints, enhance global sustainability, and combat the effects of climate change.

Energy industry professionals have been addressing the disparity between electric supply and demand in various ways. Solutions include everything from increasing overall reliance on renewable energy sources to employing IoT-enabled automation devices. These actions optimize electric distribution, reduce waste, and enhance overall electric efficiency, reliability, and performance.

A Green Energy Revolution

As utilities continue to integrate renewable energy sources into their mix, numerous engineering advancements are helping them meet energy supply targets and align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.

In the solar power arena, scientists use a highly responsive family of crystalline compounds called perovskites to deliver more power from existing solar panel devices. Based on their ability to analyze massive amounts of real-world data, quantum computing and AI are also being harnessed to help achieve more efficient solar cell design. Thanks to these technological achievements, solar energy has become more affordable, with costs dropping by some 90% in the last decade. Based on this and other factors, the World Economic Forum predicts that solar power is on track to be the world’s dominant power source by 2050.

The Future of Sustainable Energy

Though wind turbines are currently a less prevalent source of renewable energy worldwide than solar power, advancements in these devices are similarly helping to make them more powerful, efficient, and accessible. An engineering team at England’s University of Birmingham recently used AI to test more than 2,000 different blade designs and “explore design possibilities beyond the scope of traditional human experimentation.” Their research led to the development of the ‘Birmingham Blade,’ an optimally shaped and weighted blade that’s up to seven times more efficient than existing designs. It is scheduled to be commercially available later this year. The computational powers of AI also accelerated the blade design process, reducing development time from years to weeks.

As a result of these and other breakthroughs in the green energy industry, renewable energy sources are growing globally. In 2024, all renewable energy sources combined – including wind, solar, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal – provided over 32% of the world’s electricity. This is nearly double the level that renewable sources represented 25 years earlier. In the U.S., the use of renewables accounted for over 24% of total electricity production in 2024, up 4% from 2023.

Smart Grid innovations

On top of the growing use of renewable energy sources, utilities are increasingly relying on intelligent “edge devices” to optimize electricity usage. This category includes the use of IoT-driven sensors and smart two-way meters. These devices provide continuous monitoring and enable real-time insights into grid conditions. By tracking each user’s energy consumption patterns, these smart devices promote informed decision-making. This allows utilities and users to optimize their energy usage and better integrate solar, wind, and other renewable sources into their energy portfolio. The additional ability to store this energy through battery energy storage systems (BESS) further helps to address supply shortfalls and stabilize/optimize the grid.

Transportation and Sustainability

Other technological developments are also making great strides towards reducing our global reliance on fossil fuels and combatting climate change. In the transportation sector, ongoing advancements in electric vehicle design, regenerative braking, and electric drive train technology continue to deliver instant power, greater efficiency, and zero tailpipe emissions relative to conventional internal combustion engines.

The world is responding in kind, with global sales of electric vehicles hitting a record 17 million in 2024 (a 25% growth over 2023 levels). This trend will continue to reduce the world’s carbon footprint. According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), electric vehicles emit 30% less greenhouse gases than traditional gasoline-fueled cars. Their lifecycle emissions could decrease by at least 73% by 2050. In the U.S. alone, experts believe that the widespread use of EVs will lower the country’s CO2 pollution by two-thirds.

IEEE Climate Change eLearning Courses

As a globally recognized professional organization that plays a key role in shaping the fields of electrical engineering, electronics, and computer science, IEEE is committed to using its expertise and resources to foster technology for a sustainable climate.

To address growing concerns about climate change, IEEE offers a broad range of eLearning resources. These courses focus specifically on climate change and its impact across various industries, including:

Explore these courses on the IEEE Learning Network, or request institutional access today.

AI is considered one of the most significant technological advancements in modern history and one that is having a major impact on every industry around the globe. The ability to understand AI applications and harness them to achieve next-level growth and operational success is key to true business innovation in every field.

Transforming the Face of Modern Business

The use of AI is bringing a new level of speed, efficiency, and productivity to a broad range of industry sectors and business functions.

From a product development perspective, AI accelerates development cycles and speed to market by analyzing market trends and consumer feedback, enabling companies to innovate faster and stay ahead of the competition. Through their ability to help automate tasks, analyze data, and optimize designs, AI tools ultimately support faster time-to-market for products.

In manufacturing and logistics, AI helps automate routine tasks, optimize supply chains, and manage inventory more effectively, allowing businesses to reduce operational costs and improve efficiency and productivity. According to a recent survey of international manufacturers, nearly 70% are already using AI solutions for everything from quality control and demand forecasting to predictive maintenance that enables them to proactively schedule equipment repairs before they result in costly downtime. BMW relies on AI algorithms to automate quality processes along its conveyor belt, while General Electric’s AI software helps the company employ its manufacturing resources more efficiently in order to achieve its sustainability goals.. 

The Future of AI in Business

In the field of enterprise security, AI helps companies protect data privacy and learn, adapt to, and stay ahead of cybersecurity threats. A recent Forbes study revealed that 51% of business owners surveyed are using AI to shore up their cybersecurity and fraud management activities. For example, Mastercard’s use of AI tools to scan payment data from partner banks helped the company avoid more than US$35 million in fraudulent payments over three years. Also, Amazon’s use of AI to analyze the nearly 750 million cyberattack incidents it logs daily enables the company to identify growing threats.

In the customer service arena, AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants provide instant responses and create personalized experiences. Companies like Amazon, Walmart, Netflix, and South Korean video game developer Krafton are already streamlining their service processes and bringing greater depth to their customer interactions by offering personalized product recommendations, custom-optimizing search and browsing, more efficient customer service, and improved supply chain operations.

The significance of AI to business and the job market is clear, and while the debate over the proliferation of AI continues, one thing remains certain:

“AI will not replace humans. But those who use AI will replace those who don’t.”

-Ginni Rometty, former CEO of IBM

Let IEEE Help You Unleash the Power of AI for Yourself and Your Organization

Despite its integration into our daily lives, studies show that AI remains a source of confusion for many people. But given the widespread use of AI applications across so many industries, it’s crucial for business managers and other industry professionals to have a solid understanding of AI principles and their impact on business functions. The real challenge, and the ultimate success, doesn’t come from just learning about this transformative new technology, but from applying it effectively in your business.

Check out AI resources from IEEE to help you get up to speed on what you need to know:

The IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA: Artificial Intelligence Program is designed to demystify AI for business managers and leaders of all levels of understanding and experience with AI, providing them with the strategic insights needed to leverage AI effectively.

The program offers a non-IT view of AI and provides the foundational knowledge to assess AI’s analytical and decision-making capabilities. Learners explore how AI can be used to address business pain points, optimize processes, better serve customer needs, and improve an organization’s bottom line. The specialized 12-week course offers engaging real-world case studies, practical insights, forward-thinking ideas, and an invaluable Capstone Project, where learners will be able to complement their technical skills with a strategic, business view of AI and its real-world applications for themselves and their organizations.

Gain the expertise to navigate the complexities of AI in order to seamlessly integrate it into your operations, transform technological potential into a competitive edge, and innovate with impact. Learn more!

More eLearning courses on AI:

AI Strategy
AI in Semiconductors

Mark your calendars—IEEE Education Week takes place from 6–12 April 2025! This popular annual event is a week-long celebration of the educational opportunities provided by IEEE and its many organizational units, societies, and councils worldwide. Whether you’re a technical professional, a member of the academic community, or a STEM enthusiast, IEEE Education Week is a great way to explore the broad range of educational programs and resources offered by the world’s largest technical professional association.

Challenge Yourself

While it might seem easy, comfortable, or convenient to “stay in your lane” in your current position, numerous studies confirm the increasing importance of continuing education in today’s competitive landscape and the positive impact training and development can have on your job performance, career progression, and self-esteem.

Nine out of ten workers surveyed believe that continuing education positively affects their level of engagement on the job. The same study also revealed that one of the top reasons why employees reported feeling bored at work was due to a “lack of opportunity to learn new skills.”

A recent study also showed that opportunities for continuing education, growth, and development on the job are considered key to career success by 76% of the Gen Z workforce, and another study showed that these opportunities were considered critical by 59% of the millennial-age workforce.

Continuing Education Pays Dividends

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics confirms that “the more you learn, the more you earn.” The acquisition of new skills, degrees, and industry certifications can merit a pay raise at your existing job or a higher starting salary at your next job—often to the tune of 10-20% more.

The pursuit of continuing education also offers many personal benefits. Among them, it affords the opportunity to widen your network of industry peers, mentors, and leaders as well as delivering the sense of satisfaction that comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone, investing in yourself, and tackling new challenges.

Six out of ten employees surveyed believed that continuing education enhances job performance and productivity.

And 51% of employees surveyed believed that continuing education boosts their self-confidence, while 41% felt it improves their time-management skills.

Furthermore, many experts feel there’s a strong link between ongoing learning and good health. This is because continuing education challenges you to exercise your memory, problem-solving abilities, openness to change, and cognitive skills at any age.

The bottom line?

In today’s fast-paced and rapidly changing business and technical landscape, the acquisition of new skills through continuing education, certifications, and degrees are critical to remaining competitive and getting ahead.

IEEE Education Week: Your Go-To Source for Continuing Education from the World’s Largest Technology Association

Offering in-person and virtual events, resources, and special offers on educational products and services across the organization, IEEE Education Week is a great opportunity to explore your interests and acquire additional knowledge. Whether you’re a professional working in a technical field, a faculty member, or a university student, there’s a learning opportunity that will inspire you during IEEE Education Week. Plus, a range of special offers and discounts during IEEE Education Week can make some of these offerings even easier to access.

A successful career in engineering isn’t only about having strong technical expertise. It also hinges on your ability to communicate clearly, engage and motivate others, demonstrate business acumen, and lead teams effectively. Deficits in any of these skillsets can significantly impair an engineer’s career trajectory.

Strong leadership skills are key to any manager’s or company’s success. Conversely, weakness in this area can undermine that pursuit. For example, a study found that nearly four out of five employees who recently quit their job attributed their decision to a lack of leadership or recognition in their company. Similarly, a Gallup survey of more than one million employees nationwide revealed that 75% of respondents who had quit their jobs did so because of their manager, not the position. The results confirm the old saying that “people leave managers, not companies.”

This reality is especially hard-felt in the engineering community. Many electrical and electronics engineers confirm that all or most of their academic training focused on mastery of STEM-related technical skills, with little to no time spent on developing their leadership, communication, business, or people skills.

More Than Technical Knowledge Needed to Succeed

The fallout of this skills gap has been felt across many tech-related fields. Based on discussions with dozens of executives in tech companies, a recent report identified the top five reasons why advanced-degree scientists and engineers fail in leadership roles – and they don’t relate to their technical knowledge at all. Rather, their failures were attributed to poor communication skills, lack of people skills, lack of strategic thinking, inability to develop talent, and poor time management.

As engineers progress in their careers, their responsibilities often expand beyond just technical expertise. Successive positions up the ladder will require skillsets such as managing projects, engaging and motivating employees, collaborating with other teams, planning and budgeting, demonstrating vision, and employing a range of other business and leadership skills.

This is confirmed by a Harvard Business School study, which identified “leadership” as one of the top business skills that tech and engineering employers seek in their candidates, along with strengths in communication, management, problem-solving, business operations, research, and critical thinking.

Experts agree that without these foundational skills, technical professionals will only go so far. In a recent study, for example, 73% of companies surveyed felt that business, leadership, and cognitive skills were lacking among prospective candidates. This gap will limit the growth and success of organizations and candidates alike.

The good news in all of this?

A recent study cited in Forbes revealed that only 20-30% of leadership skills are actually innate and that some 70% of leadership qualities can be acquired through experience and education. In other words, tech professionals can learn to be strong and effective leaders.

Let the IEEE Professional Development Suite Help You and Your Team Hone Your Business and Leadership Skills

Invest in your professional development and further your goal of moving up the corporate ladder by exploring the IEEE Professional Development Suite. This collection of training programs is specially designed to suit the needs of professionals at any stage of their career.

  • IEEE Leading Technical Teams offers learners the essential skills and strategies required to help technical teams achieve their goals. The curriculum features live interactive training, engaging case studies, and practical, real-world exercises. Discover the latest trends and best practices in technical leadership and gain the confidence to navigate complex challenges. Learn more and register for a virtual or in-person sessions! 
  • The IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA for Engineers is specifically designed to help engineers and technology professionals secure the critical business skills that are important for long-term career success. Offered in short, flexible, and engaging modules, learners will receive a foundational overview of key business topics such as accounting, communication, ethics, finance, managerial economics, management, entrepreneurship, marketing, operations, and strategic management as well as practices to help align technical capabilities with business goals. Learn more! 
  • The newly launched IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA: Artificial Intelligence seeks to demystify AI for business managers and leaders. Learn how AI can be used to address business pain points, optimize processes, better serve customer needs, and improve an organization’s bottom line. Get the skills needed to take a strategic, business view of AI and understand its real-world applications within your own department and organization. Learn more!

 

Resources:

Powitzky, Elizabeth. (25 May 2018). Great Leaders Are Made, Not Born: Six Strategies for Becoming a Better Leader. Forbes.

Kizer, Kristin. (29 June 2023). 35+ Powerful Leadership Statistics [2023]: Things All Aspiring Leaders Should Know. Zippia.

Lewis, Greg. (11 August 2022). Industries with the Highest (and Lowest) Turnover Rates. LinkedIn.

Boyles, Michael. (10 January 2023). Leadership in Engineering: What It Is & Why It’s Important. Harvard Business School.

Hyacinth, Brigette. (27 December 2017). Employees Don’t Leave Companies, They Leave Managers. LinkedIn.

Upwork.Adams, Angelique. Top 5 Reasons Advanced-Degree Scientists and Engineers Fail in Leadership Roles. LinkedIn.

Landry, Lauren. (5 January 2023). 6 Business Sills Every Engineer Needs. Harvard Business Review. 

Barnes, Cory. Soft Skills for Engineers: The importance of communication, teamwork, and other non-technical skills in a highly technical field. LinkedIn. 

Founded by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) and celebrated every February since 1951, Engineers Week was established to recognize how much engineers have contributed to society and the critical role that engineering plays in our lives. Celebrated this year from 16-22 February, Engineers Week stands as a reminder of how engineers have changed the world.

A History of Innovation

Throughout history, electrical engineers in particular have been responsible for some of the world’s most pivotal inventions.

Among them, Thomas Edison’s 1,000+ patents throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries included the incandescent light bulb and phonograph. Edison also established electric utilities, which helped make electricity more accessible to homes and businesses. (The National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) was also first published in the early 20th century.) Around the same time, Nikola Tesla’s development of AC electrical systems, as well as his invention of the Tesla coil and induction motor, revolutionized telecommunications, power transmission/generation, and wireless technology. In the 1950s, Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce’s joint invention of the integrated circuit led to the miniaturization of electronic devices and the rise of personal computers, smart phones, semiconductors, and modern electronics.

Shaping Society Through Technology

More recently, electrical engineers have driven some of the most important developments shaping society today. These include smart grids, which enable electric utilities to engage in two-way communications with customers and make real-time adjustments, as well as energy storage systems, which promote electric resiliency by allowing for the storage of renewable energy (generated by solar power, wind, etc.) for use at a later time. Popular everyday items such as smart watches, thermostats, fitness trackers, telehealth systems, and many other devices are possible thanks to the development of the Internet of Things (IoT), which enables “connected” devices to collect, analyze, and share data. 

Elsewhere, the recent development and proliferation of electric vehicles aims to help reduce the world’s dependence on fossil fuels and combat climate change. Additionally, the growth of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and quantum computing will continue to transform everything from healthcare, manufacturing, and transportation to customer service, banking, gaming, semiconductor design, weather forecasting, and more. This led Time Magazine to identify AI as a major force that will “reshape the world.”

Breakthrough developments like those above – as well as inventions that have yet to be imagined – rely on the technical expertise, vision, and creative efforts of electrical engineers. These professionals serve within a high-demand field worldwide. They can apply their talents to indelibly impact any number of diverse and dynamic industries.

Simply put, the field of engineering is positioned firmly at the edge of innovation, and the efforts of electrical engineers in particular are critical to the operation of modern society.

IEEE: Keeping You at the Forefront

Each year, Engineers Week helps increase public awareness regarding the positive contributions engineers make while also promoting careers in engineering and shining a spotlight on the importance of technical education.

As the professional home for the technology community worldwide for generations, IEEE has long been a renowned source of education in the broad range of fields that it encompasses. In honor of Engineers Week, the IEEE Learning Network (ILN) is offering a 25% discount on some of its most popular course programs. The special discount is available through 11:59 pm ET on 28 February 2025. Simply use code EW25 at checkout!

Eligible course programs include:

Engineers Week is a great time to celebrate the field of engineering and invest in yourself. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn something new while earning professional development credit and digital badges that will enable you to showcase your new skillset!

 

Resources

National Engineers Week. National Today.

Engineers Week. National Society of Professional Engineers.

The Top 20 Famous Engineers Who Shaped the Modern World. Discover Engineering.

Kerwin, Jenna. (31 January 2025). Technology Trends in Electrical Engineering. Excelsior University.

Suleyman, Mustafa. How the AI Revolution Will Reshape the World. Time.

Hamilton, Ilana. (7 February 2024). 5 Careers in Electrical Engineering to Consider. Forbes.

10 Examples of Internet of Things (IoT) in Everyday Life. Nike Oregon Project.

Cloke, Harry. (28 July 2022). 70 Powerful Quotes About Learning to Inspire You! Growth Engineering.

The field of systems engineering is an interdisciplinary approach to product development which helps ensure that all elements of a product’s hardware and software work together to achieve the desired outcome. Systems engineering is particularly useful when dealing with complex products or applications that involve a lot of data, variables, or design fields. Examples include NASA’s design of the International Space Station (operated by five space agencies) and the exploration of Pluto by NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft. This high-profile aerospace initiative’s success relied on meticulous planning, exact calculations, complete integration between the spacecraft, launch vehicle, and mission operations, and thorough management of all performance and budgetary aspects throughout the project’s lifecycle.

Similarly, the Global Positioning System (GPS), a space-based positioning, navigation, and timing service, required high-level systems engineering to oversee the design and integration of space, ground, and user components.

Other real-world examples of the implementation of systems engineering hit much closer to home.

Systems Engineering In Practice

In the design of new hardware and software products within the IT world, for example, systems engineers oversee development by understanding the system, its goals, and the interaction of all parts as a whole and balancing the needs of all stakeholders with organizational costs and risk. On the flip side, as it relates to users of hardware and software in an enterprise IT setting, systems engineers are tasked with understanding their organization’s business requirements and identifying the hardware and software elements that best meet their organization’s needs. They may also set up, configure, and maintain servers, administer the network, oversee security measures and response to cyber incidents, and document changes to the system for ongoing maintenance and auditing purposes.

Elsewhere, the field of autonomous vehicle design – which demands seamless integration between sensors, AI algorithms, control systems, and other components – relies on systems engineers to help meet performance, reliability, and safety goals. Systems engineers are also heavily involved in the fields of printed circuit board design, robotics, and utility power generation, delivery, control, and protection.

Across the board, contributions by systems engineers can significantly enhance a company’s product quality as well as its efficiency, financial performance, and speed to market. In the aerospace industry, for instance, systems engineering activities at Boeing were instrumental in reducing development time of the company’s 787 Dreamliner aircraft by 60% relative to previous models.

Demand for Systems Engineers

Based on the demonstrated value systems engineers bring to organizations, demand for the profession is increasing worldwide. Built In, a tech start-up platform, projects a 21% growth in these job opportunities between 2021 and 2031.

To accomplish an organization’s goals, systems engineers take a top-down approach and evaluate all parts of an entire integrated system to ensure that each aspect will work together to accomplish overall objectives. In that sense, because they must know a little bit about every component and process within a new product’s development, how all of these parts come together, and be able to see the big picture, systems engineers play a critical role similar to that of an orchestra conductor. Among their major tasks, systems engineers are typically involved with everything from design compatibility, definition of requirements, and project management to cost analysis, scheduling, upcoming system upgrades, maintenance requirements, and communications between the project’s engineers, managers, suppliers, and customers. As such, their work can have a significant impact on a project’s metrics.

Explore the Field of Systems Engineering with IEEE

Software & Hardware Configuration Management in Systems Engineering
This course program teaches essential configuration management core concepts and best practices for both hardware and software (starting with the requirements specified in the IEEE 828 standard) in order to help reduce an organization’s risk of a malicious attack and/or enable rapid response to an incident. Ideal for managers, practicing professionals, academics, undergraduates, and electrical engineers, the five-course program helps learners assess and improve existing organizational configuration management practices in systems engineering.

To learn more about accessing these courses for your organization, contact an IEEE Content Specialist today.

Interested in the course program for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network.

IEEE Software and Systems Engineering Standards Used in Aerospace and Defense
This course program explores systems and software engineering concepts for the aerospace and defense industries. Topics covered include the life cycle and engineering process, selection and application of appropriate IEEE standards, and methods of addressing complex issues through interrelated life cycle processes and other agile techniques within these specific industries. This five-program course is ideal for aerospace engineers, project managers, software engineers, government and defense professionals, and standards developers.

To learn more about accessing these courses for your organization, contact an IEEE Content Specialist today.

Interested in the course program for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network.

 

Resources

What is Systems Engineering? Jama Software.

Systems Engineering. Study Smarter.

Moiz, Abdul. (16 July 2024). What Is Systems Engineering? (With Steps and Skills). Indeed.

Powers, Jessica. (7 December 2022). Systems Engineer. Built In.

(20 August 2024). What is an IT Systems Engineer? Guru.

How Can Systems Engineering Improve Aerospace Engineering? LinkedIn.

Andersen, Grady. (2 February 2024). The Impact of Systems Engineering on Various Industries. MoldStud.

english-and-communication-skills

More than 1.4 billion people in the world speak the English language. Used to communicate to global audiences, English is currently spoken in more than 75 countries and non-sovereign entities around the world. It’s also one of the most common languages used in the fields of business, science, and technology worldwide. For that reason, research shows that honing one’s skills in English can benefit both native and non-native English speakers alike. However, many engineers tend to focus on honing their technical skills and often spend less time improving their English proficiency in the areas of reading, writing, and speaking. This has led society to routinely joke that an individual “writes like an engineer”– something that isn’t necessarily a compliment!

According to a Penn State University study, which explored why industry professionals often feel that engineering graduates possess weak English and communication skills, the authors concluded that “part of the disparity arises because the communication assignments that engineering students perform in college significantly differ from the writing situations (audiences, purposes, and occasions) that engineering graduates encounter in industry.”

As such, a range of studies confirm that time spent refreshing and strengthening one’s English and communication skills is a great investment that can pay engineers tremendous dividends.

For instance, in a 2024 Pearson survey of 5,000 individuals worldwide for whom English is a second or additional language, four out of five respondents believe that strong English language skills can contribute to as much as an 80% increase in salary. At the same time, roughly half of those surveyed feel that strong English skills will also expand their range of job opportunities, enhance their ability to be promoted to more senior positions in their field, and ‘futureproof’ them against the threat of artificial intelligence (AI) obsoleting their job.

These aren’t just perceptions.

English and Communications Skills Affect On Career Trajectory

According to industry speaker and communications consultant Skip Weisman, engineers without strong communication skills often risk damaging important relationships with colleagues and undermining their own objectives when they speak or write. The Engineering Management Institute agrees, noting that strong English skills can help engineers better communicate with and present concepts to their management as well as create more useful technical documents that share product and project specs or findings. Strong communication skills may also help engineers to lead teams and interact more effectively with other non-technical divisions of their company, such as marketing and sales.

Without proficiency in English skills, an engineer’s career trajectory may be limited. For example, Wisconsin-based Rockwell Automation is among the many high-tech companies which regularly screen candidates for strong proficiency in English reading, writing, and speaking based on the importance of those skills to their employees’ effectiveness and success.

Engineers are inherently creative and analytical problem-solvers. However, their jobs also require teamwork and consensus-building, public speaking and listening skills, and a strong ability to provide clear written and verbal communication of often-complex technical concepts in order to express themselves and bring their ideas to reality. As a result, amid the many important proficiencies that engineers require for career success, a recent analysis by Indeed ranked “effective written and oral communication skills” among the top three most critical.

Build Your Technical English Skills with Training from IEEE

IEEE English for Technical Professionals is designed to address the communication gap and help engineers and technical professionals, both native and non-native English speakers, to improve their language skills in a way that fits the needs and priorities of working adults in technical fields.

Ideal for entry or mid-level technical professionals, engineers, and managers, this 14-lesson program imparts English language standards via practice activities that are essential for an engineer’s daily success. The modules are designed to strengthen reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills with a speech-to-text feature. Whether discussing a project with peers, submitting a technical proposal to a funding source, or justifying technical findings to a supervisor, this course program helps learners build confidence and enhance their effectiveness and productivity on the job.

Connect with an IEEE Content Specialist today to learn more about how to offer this program within your organization.

Interested in the course program for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network (ILN).

Resources

(12 March 2024). English Skills Have Life-Changing Impact. Pearson.

(30 September 2022). 20 Traits or Skills of Successful Engineers. Indeed.

Hill, Peter. (29 January 2019). How Good Writing Skills Can Benefit Your Engineering Career. Engineering Management Institute.

Koelsch, James. (1 December 2011). Is Writing an Essential Skill for Engineers? Automation World.

Brown, Meghan. (10 February 2022). English Is the Language of Tech, and Improving Your Skills is the Best Path to Success. Engineering.com.

Assi, Karolina. (19 April 2022). A Huge and Helpful Guide to 67 English Speaking Countries (and More!). Berlitz.

Donnell, Jeffrey A., Aller, Betsy M., Alley, Michael, and Kedrowicz, April. (2011). Why Industry Says That Engineering Graduates Have Poor Communication Skills: What the Literature Says. Penn State Leonhard Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Education.

Bosavage, Jennifer. (26 July 2019). Why Communications Skills Are Critical To Engineers. IEEE Spectrum.

Sol the Engineer. (21 January 2019). Why (Many) Engineers Suck at Writing and What Can We Do About It . . . The Engineering Mentor.

Fasano, Anthony. (11 June 2015). Communication Skills for Engineers – The Seven Deadly Sins and How to Overcome Them. Engineering.com.

Studies show that strong business management, leadership, and communication skills are as important as technical skills when it comes to success and advancement in the engineering field.

Engineers are recognized for their innate analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, curiosity, creativity, and flexibility. What may not come as second nature to them, however, are business management and leadership skills. And studies show that these, along with strong technical skills, are all crucial to a successful career in engineering.

While engineers typically focus their time on product development and the delivery of technical solutions and services, experts at The Engineering & Leadership Project contend that engineers are often “never taught to understand financial statements or other critical markers of organizational health”. Those critical markers are all “business engineering” skills that could help them better understand the organizations they work for and drive improved outcomes by their teams and company.

In-Demand Skills

A recent Harvard Business School analysis of job opportunities for engineers concurred. While strong technical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills were all among the top capabilities sought by leading employers, the study found that these were only part of the equation. Strengths in communication, management, business operations, and leadership rounded out lists of most critical traits for a job candidate and successful engineer.

Across the various engineering job opportunities featured in their survey, the same Harvard Business School study noted that business and leadership skills were more universally requested and in higher demand than some technical competencies. For instance, while demand for computer science skills appeared in 16% of the engineering job postings they analyzed, communication and management skills were required in 34% and 24%, respectively. This suggests that the ability to connect/work with people and effectively manage operations may be more versatile, applicable, and necessary to all engineering fields as well as predictive of success than any one technical skill.

Engineering, Business, and Leadership: A Powerful Link

Interestingly, studies show that many of the skills that engineers naturally possess position them to be strong business leaders. Among them, their ability to manage highly detailed projects and problem-solve enables them to multi-task and meet deadlines, while their technical literacy and strength with numbers provides a leg up in both the use of modern technology and the ability to prepare business plans and analyze financial and other data. As a result, it comes as no surprise that Harvard Business Review’s recent analysis of 100 top-performing CEOs around the globe found that a full 34% of them possess an undergraduate degree in engineering.

Experts from Indeed agree that training in business and leadership skills can be invaluable to an engineer’s professional advancement and career aspirations. According to Indeed, possession of these skills can not only enhance an engineer’s candidacy for a specific job but can more positively position them for successive roles and leadership positions down the line.  These skills can also provide engineers with a strong foundation should they elect to switch jobs during their career or even start their own business.

The bottom line?

Let IEEE Help You Boost Your Business and Leadership Skills

A wealth of experts confirms that the days of operating in field-specific silos are over and that the best and most empowered engineers are those who bring a combination of technical, business management, and leadership skills to the table.

IEEE is here to help engineers fill the gap with its unique IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA for Engineers.

Offered by IEEE in conjunction with Rutgers Business School and flexible in format, this course is specially designed to help engineers and technical professionals bridge the gap between business and engineering, prepare for professional growth, and obtain the critical business skills needed for well-rounded and long-term career success

Covering such key topics as Business Strategy, Managing New Product Development, Analyzing Financial Statements, Intellectual Property Strategy, Sales and Marketing, Leadership, and more, the convenient and self-paced 12-week Mini-MBA course involves a combination of expert instruction, peer interaction, self-paced video lessons, interactive assessments, live office hours, and a hands-on capstone project experience. This winning program – currently the only online Mini-MBA curriculum specifically designed for engineers and technical professionals — will help participants make more informed business decisions, better align their technical capabilities with proven business strategy, and prepare to meet the market’s growing demand for well-rounded engineers with demonstrated skills in business management and leadership.

Reserve your spot in the IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA for Engineers course today, either as an individual or as a company! For more information or to explore opportunities to further develop your business management skills, contact us today!

 

Resources

(23 January 2022). Business Engineering: Why Engineers Should Have Business Skills. The Engineering & Leadership Project.

Landry, Lauren. (5 January 2023). 6 Business Skills Every Engineer Needs. Harvard Business School.

Clayton, Ben. (19 March 2023). Why Engineers Make Good Business Leaders. QS Top Universities.

McGregor, Jena. (24 October 2018). More Top CEOs Now Have Engineering Degrees than MBAs. Financial Post.

(26 January 2023). 12 Business Skills for an Engineer Resume. Indeed.

7 Essential Business Skills for Engineers. Canadian Institute of International Business.

invest-in-continuing-professional-education

For many people, formal education ends in early adulthood. However, today’s fast-paced and rapidly evolving world requires professionals to stay up-to-speed in their field or risk falling behind. Investing in continuing professional education throughout your career is critical to remaining a high-performing contributor in your field. A wealth of research also confirms that companies which promote a culture of continuous learning and invest in their employees’ development and career advancement benefit as well.

Here are a few examples of the tremendous impacts that continuing education are having on today’s workplace.

Reported Benefits of Providing Educational Opportunities

According to a survey of 4,000 professionals within LinkedIn’s recent Workplace Learning Report, 94% of employees said that they’d stay at a company longer if that organization invested in their professional development. 

A recent Pulse of Talent study by HR software and service provider Ceridian revealed that people who work for companies that invest in employee professional development are 83% more likely to feel happy in their job. This study and other research confirms that job satisfaction contributes to greater employee retention, loyalty, engagement, and productivity.

Based on an analysis of three million worker surveys by employee recognition and engagement expert Bob Nelson, Ph.D. in his book, 1,001 Ways to Engage Employees, learning and development opportunities ranked as the second most important factor, after compensation, in determining employee engagement.

The benefits of an engaged workforce— aided by a culture of learning and development opportunities— are significant to companies. According to a 2022 Gallup poll, highly engaged business units experience 81% less absenteeism, 14% greater productivity, 18% higher sales, 23% greater profitability, anywhere from 18-43% less employee turnover, and 10% higher customer ratings than business units with less engaged employees.

According to The Enterprise Guide to Closing the Skills Gap, a recent IBM survey of over 5,250 executives worldwide, the half-life of professional skills— which was once 10-15 years— has declined to just 5 years. This means that “half of the knowledge associated with those skills will become irrelevant within 5 years.” Given the rapid rate of technological evolution, the report noted that the half-life is even shorter for technical skills. This finding has led many industry experts to contend that employee career development and continuous learning opportunities, particularly in the technical fields, aren’t just a bonus, but rather a company’s responsibility and obligation.

Corporate Approaches to Continuing Professional Education

Companies around the world are employing a number of creative approaches when it comes to their employees’ professional growth and development.

For example, computer network manufacturer 3Com encourages its engineers and other technical workers to meet with customers as a way to help “behind-the-scenes” employees build customer-facing skills. It also helps 3Com employees gain a better understanding of how their engineering efforts are utilized in real-life applications.

US-based software firm Full Beaker, Inc. provides each employee with US$1,500 each year for their professional growth— to be used on books, courses, professional conferences, “or anything that makes the employee better at what he or she does for the company,” said company SEO Director Shavkat Karimov.

Another example is Cisco Systems GmbH, headquartered in Hallbergmoos, Germany, which is proud to give employees regular access to what they call “the three Es”: education, experience, and exposure.

Build IEEE Into Your Continuing Professional Education Plans

Former Accenture CEO Pierre Nanterme once said that if you feel good in your role, “that’s the perfect time for you to experiment with something new, to get out of your comfort zone.”

However individuals and companies choose to engage in continuing professional education, the positive contribution that continuous learning makes to both employee and organizational growth is undeniable. IEEE offers a broad range of courses on relevant topics that can help individuals keep building their skills in order to advance personally and professionally. Furthermore, from an organizational perspective, companies who foster a culture of continuous learning can enjoy positive forward motion as a result of the proactive investments they make in their workforce.

Here are some of the newest course programs from amongst the extensive breadth of continuous learning opportunities from IEEE:

Energy Efficiency, Sustainability, and Climate Change

Minigrids, which distribute electricity generated by renewable sources such as solar panels, wind turbines, battery storage, hydropower, and diesel generators, are becoming increasingly critical for the nearly 800 million people worldwide who currently have no access to electricity. Given that two-thirds of that number live in sub-Saharan Africa, IEEE created a new four-course program, Minigrids in Africa. In this course program, learners will explore the context and roles for minigrids in Africa as well as appropriate technologies and maintenance, sustainability, operational, and regulatory and policy considerations for connecting to national grids. Learn More>>

Given the many facets of climate change and their far-reaching effects, Engineering Solutions for a Sustainable Future, a new course from IEEE, provides a solid overview of the extent of activity and innovation in sustainability solutions. Broken into seven easily digestible 7-10-minute modules, this course covers everything from intelligent urban networks that can alleviate congestion and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) solutions for distribution system reliability to hybrid home energy management systems for emission reduction, sustainable IoT device development solutions, energy-efficient data center climate control policies, optimal resource scheduling based on export rates, and electric vehicle battery swapping stations. Within the convenient timeframe of just one hour, learners will receive a thorough overview of modern-day engineering solutions to some of the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges. Learn More>>

High Performance Computing

Though high performance computing has been used for decades in academic and government settings, the massive quantities of data now being processed and shared across a broad range of industries and mission-critical applications is driving the demand for greater and faster computing power. High Performance Computing Technologies, Solutions to Exascale Systems, and Beyond, a five-course program developed in partnership with IEEE Future Directions, introduces learners to techniques for addressing challenges in the Exascale era, insights into the leading edge of HPC research, and other topics. Learn More>>

Configuration Management

With the threat of costly and destructive cyber attacks involving ransomware, malware, computer worms, and other nefarious forms of software on the rise, configuration management— an IT process that establishes configuration standards for each asset in a company’s network and automatically alerts business leaders of inconsistencies— is becoming an increasingly standard approach for companies to reduce their vulnerability. Software & Hardware Configuration Management in Systems Engineering, a five-course program, takes learners through the basics of building reliable software, employing best systems engineering practices, and other topics. Learn More>>

Invest in Yourself and Your Career Today

In addition to the sense of personal achievement that comes with investing in your own professional development, successfully completing continuing education through IEEE can help get you recognized in the field.

Through the IEEE Credentialing Program, learners who demonstrate proficiency in a topic can earn an IEEE digital badge, a credential recognizing the completion of continuing education or the acquisition of a skill through participation in an IEEE course or event. With the ability to be displayed on resumes, social media, and email signatures, digital badges can elevate an individual’s professional status and career. They can also help companies to develop their employees’ individual knowledge base and collective strength in the market. As the world’s largest technical professional home, IEEE offers the relevant content that engineers need to stay ahead, and digital badges represent both an assurance of quality education for employers as well as a source of pride for learners.

Make an investment in yourself and your future today by checking out the aforementioned course programs or the many other continuing professional education opportunities available through the IEEE Learning Network (ILN)!

Resources

Markovic, Isidora. 7 Statistics That Highlight the Value of Continuous Learning. eduMe.

Nelson, Bob, Ph.D. (25 September 2018). How Learning & Development Impacts Employee Engagement. Training Industry.

Harter, Jim. (13 August 2022). Employee Engagement vs. Employee Satisfaction and Organizational Culture. Gallup.

Gurchiek, Kathy. (30 September 2019). Employers Need to Broaden Strategies to Close Skills Gap. SHRM.