Executive Summary
Lifelong learning, which originated from the theory of heutagogy in applied emergent technology, is a current imperative in getting employment in a highly innovative field, such as aerospace engineering. Moreover, it is an established approach in learning skills indispensable in highly innovative functions in high-tech companies. My general learning needs include knowledge and skills in structural design and analysis, manufacturing, service liaising, hardware tooling, payload management, and product support as well as better expertise in using specific design software. The implementation plan is contexted on three learning objectives: (1) develop broad expertise in mechanical and industrial engineering concepts and skills; (2) develop competency in engineering support services; and (3) establish a persistent self-learning program. The most necessary sources for lifelong learning are traditional educational institutions, online courses, and corporate training and development. In the near term, my implementation plan requires finishing a Bachelors’ Degree in Mechanical Engineering and pursuing graduate studies. In the middle term, getting into the Boeing internship program is a priority. In the long term, the primary goal is to work at The Boeing Company. Evidently, the online learning component is expected to take an increasing role in my future lifelong learning plan. There are three self-recommendations to make: (1) stay highly flexible in my development goals and approaches according to my changing competency needs; (2) provide a focused attention to my current engineering knowledge and skills to detect significant long-term proficiency gaps, and; (3) transform this lifelong learning plan into a pliable template for future improvements.
Introduction
Lifelong Learning (LLL), a concept originally emerged in the education literature through the theory of heutagogy (Blaschke, 2012), is ever imperative for new graduates to stay competitive in the job market, a change driven by technology (Feng & Ha. 2016), particularly in the aerospace engineering and technology where innovation is in constant flux. Moreover, the new era of globalization and internationalization, accompanied by the emergence of technology-adept aptitudes of the millennial generation, have geometrically driven the information highway (Feng & Ha. 2016). It is, however, only less than half a decade ago that the focus of LLL skills became more important in engineering education (Srebrenkoska, et al., 2014).
Meanwhile, heutagogy is a form of self-determined learning, which was originally proposed for emergent technology applications in distance learning and reappeared recently in higher education discourse (Blaschke, 2012). Its emphasis on the practice of learner-generated content and information self-discovery makes LLL highly valuable in preparing students to meet the demands of the highly complex contemporary workplace. Moreover, its focus on learning over a lifetime encourages workers, already off colleges, to learn beyond the formal settings of education, even workplace training and development, into a lifestyle of daily and ongoing learning (Laal, Laal, & Aliramaei, 2014; Srebrenkoska, et al., 2014).
My proposed LLL plan first assesses my learning needs with a special focus on skills acquired vis-à-vis my learning objectives, particularly in relation to my preferred corporate organization to work for. A review of learning options follows, which explores available sources of learning from the perspective of my current education state in mechanical engineering higher education. The final part involves my implementation plan, described concisely, to generate a clearer view on my preferred career option and the manner in which I can achieve my learning, and, as importantly career, objectives.
Diagnosis of Learning Needs (A Focus on Skills)
My career goal is to work as a Mechanical Engineering at The Boeing Company (TBC), an aerospace and defense contractor based in Chicago, Illinois. In general, TBC is looking for engineers with broad-range engineering expertise rather than a narrow-ranged specialization to fit its research and development culture, which is geared at new designs and materials for its products to push its techniques and processes (Boeing, 2017). The general skills required in the TBC internship program include structural design (including expertise in using design tools such as 3D CAD), structural analysis, manufacturing, service liaising, hardware tooling, payload, and product support (e.g. drawings, maintenance documentation, etc.) (Boeing, 2016). Expertise in MATLAB, SIMULINK, and C and C may also be necessary as a minimum requirement in the job industry for aerospace engineering careers (Career Builder, 2017). Moreover, although a Bachelors’ degree is a minimum, a Masters’ Degree is sometimes preferred.
In my current learning level, I have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.58 with three recognitions as a Dean’s lister in my current college at the Arizona State University (ASU). In 2010, I received a ‘best student award’ in a science center in Kuwait. In terms of skills, I have worked in a car processing plant in Alghanim Motor Company (AMC) as an intern in the summer of 2015, learning actually its processes. I have specific skills in using software (e.g. SolidWorks, MATLAB, and ANSYS). I have strong proficiency in mathematics and critical thinking with an aptitude for time management and teaching.
Consequently, my general learning needs include knowledge and skills in structural design and analysis, manufacturing, service liaising, hardware tooling, payload management, and product support (Boeing, 2016). I need more expertise in using design tools, such as 3D CAD, SIMULINK, C and C, and MATLAB (Boeing, 2016; Career Builder, 2017). I must also maintain an updated knowledge on groundbreaking engineering designs, particularly in mechanical and industrial designs, which is imperative to establish relevance with my TBC career objective.
My Learning Objectives
My first objective is to develop expertise in mechanical/industrial engineering concepts and skills, such as structural design and analysis, manufacturing, hardware tooling, software operations, and payload management. My second objective is to develop competency in providing support services, such as project liaising and engineering relevant administrative functions (e.g. documentations). My third, and final, objective is to establish a persistent self-learning program of life long engineering, which is largely mechanical oriented and partly industrial oriented, learning with groundbreaking technologies that are associated with and applicable in aerospace engineering practice.
Sources for Learning
Since a Master’s Degree can be necessary (Career Builder, 2017), I prefer to pursue a Graduate program in the ASU after I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, while looking to get into the Boeing’s internship program. However, with the fortune of getting admission into the Boeing internship program, I will prefer to continue my graduate studies in Chicago, most likely at the Illinois Institute of Technology ([IIT], 2017). I will prioritize program courses that have direct application in the Boeing internship program.
Online courses, although provides customized learning, current materials, and access to feedback (Ni, 2013), will be used only as supplemental courses for education and training on areas not available in the Bachelors’ Master’s Degree programs, but necessary in getting through the Boeing internship vetting system and finally getting employed in TBC. Moreover, due to its better convenience and flexibility while mixing it with full-time work, I believe this will constitute a larger portion of my LLL strategy in the future as a practicing mechanical engineer, far more preferable than traditional face-to-face university instruction or even the hybrid module, which include an online as well as a face-to-face component (Ni, 2013).
Industry periodicals will also help, particularly in keeping me updated with recent advances in mechanical and industrial engineering. A regular monitoring of open online journals in mechanical and industrial engineering, such as the Open Mechanical Engineering Journal ([OMEJ, 2017] or the Journal of Industrial Engineering [JIE, 2017]), is necessary. When an exemplary journal will be identified, an online subscription will be an economic option if unavoidable. However, an open source journal will be highly preferable.
Meanwhile, Boeing has an ongoing program in recruiting engineers, such as an Intern-Industrial Engineer (Glassdoor, 2017), which I look forward at joining and learn a lot from. I anticipate to learn real work exposure in this internship program, which I believe will provide me an edge in eventually getting employed in TPC itself after the internship period is through. Conversely, corporate training and development inside TPC are very important components in my LLL resources. Training, like development, is crucial in empowering employees to reach their full performance potential in their specific functions within an organization (Wilke, 2006). However, it is accessible to me only once I gain employment with Boeing.
Implementation Plan
The first step in the implementation plan is to finish my Bachelors’ Degree in Mechanical Engineering program with the ASU (Career Builder, 2017). Although, I currently have a cumulative GPA of 3.85, I will push my academic efforts further to reach a minimum GPA of 4.0 to ensure broader options for my Graduate studies in mechanical engineering later on, either in ASU or in any university in Chicago once I get into the Boeing internship program.
Then, I will research the Boeing Internship Program for Entry Requirement Specifics and the Revise Plan According (e.g. enroll for further studies). The current academic and skills requirements under the Intern-Industrial Engineer position (Glassdoor, 2017) is already a good reference for my academic and skills preparation. However, I do not want to put my prospects into change. Thus, I want to make sure that the employment requirements in Boeing are effectively met or exceeded by my academic and experience credentials.
My next step is to enroll in a Graduate program in Mechanical Engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology (a tentative institution, which may be subjected to future change) or any university in Chicago with a minimum GPA require of 4.0 if I achieve a minimum GPA of 4.0 upon graduation at ASU. Any learning gaps observed with the TBC requirements will be earned through online courses.
Once I deem myself prepared, I will apply, finally, in the Boeing Internship Program, specifically for the position of Intern-Industrial Engineer (Glassdoor, 2017).
Once inside Boeing, I can benefit from workplace specific trainings and development programs. Meanwhile, any remaining learning gaps will be pursued through external LLL activities, such as online courses or special courses available in nearby universities.
Conclusion
An LLL plan is essentially a guide from which future actions must be based on, but must be changed or improved anytime when the need to do so becomes essential and urgent. That is exactly the perspective I can place the plan in my own LLL program. Evidently, the online learning component will be expected to take an increasing role in my future LLL plan as workplace time obligation will largely limit opportunities for traditional instruction in engineering universities. In fact, even in my Bachelor’s and Master’s university education, I can foresee that online learning takes a growing importance in terms of enriching my learning potentials in order to meet my career objective of working with TBC as a full-time career.
Recommendations
Nonetheless, the process of preparing this LLL plan provided me insights that I may consider as self-recommendations for future improvements, at least in the immediate future between my Bachelor’s education and my objective of working for TBC as a full-time employee.
First, I must stay highly flexible in my development goals and approaches according to my changing competency levels and needs. I cannot expect a static learning curve in mechanical engineering, particularly in applied aerospace engineering. Thus, LLL plays a highly crucial role in my career and professional practice as a mechanical engineer in aerospace industry.
Second, I will provide more focused attention to my current engineering knowledge and skills, which must always be guided my objectives in getting into the Boeing internship program for aerospace engineers and staying there as an employee, to detect long-term proficiency gaps.
Overall, though, it appears that I may have to transform this LLL plan into a template, which can be modified and improved as the need demands anytime in the future.
References
Blaschke, L.M. (2012). Heutagogy and lifelong learning: A review of heutagogical practice and self-determined learning. The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 13(1), 56-71.
Boeing. (2017). Overview. Boeing.com. Retrieved from: http://www.boeing.com/careers/career-areas/mechanical-and-structural-engineering.page <Jan. 28, 2017>
Boing. (2016). Mechanical/Structural engineering internship opportunities. Chicago, IL: The Boeing Company.
Career Builder (2017, January 18). Aerospace engineer: TAD PGS, Inc. Career Builder.com. Retrieved from: http://www.careerbuilder.com/job/J3H3MM701G9J8WRMZTH?ipath=JRG2&searchid=be0fe7fa-cab7-454d-9f5f-a8d2178ca34f&siteid=ns_us_g.
Feng, L. & Ha, J-L. (2016). Effects of teachers’ information literacy on lifelong learning and school effectiveness. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science & Technology Education, 12(6), 1653-1663.
Glassdoor. (2017). Boeing mechanical engineering intern jobs. Retrieved from: https://www.glassdoor.com/Jobs/Boeing-Mechanical-Engineering-Intern-Jobs-EI_IE102.0,6_KO7,36.htm <Jan. 28, 2017>
IIT. (2017). Graduate admission. IIT.edu. Retrieved from: http://admissions.iit.edu/graduate/apply/apply-masters-program. <Jan. 28, 2017>.
JIE. (2017). Journal of Industrial Engineering. Hindawi.com. Retrieved from: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jie/.
Laal, M., Laal, A., & Aliramaei, A. (2014). Continuing education; lifelong learning. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 116(1), 4052-4056.
Ni, A.Y. (2013). Comparing the effectiveness of classroom and online learning: Teaching research methods. Journal of Public Affairs Education, 19(2), 199-215.
OMEJ. (2017). The Open Mechanical Engineering Journal. Bentham Open.com. Retrieved from: https://benthamopen.com/TOMEJ/home/ <Jan. 28, 2017>
Srebrenkoska, V., Mitrev, S., Atanasova-Pachemska, T., & Karov, I. (2014). Lifelong learning for creativity and innovation. International Scientific Conference, 4(1), 321-326.
Wilke, J.D. (2006, July 18). The importance of employee training. Jacksonville Business Journa.com. Retrieved from: http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2006/07/24/smallb2.html.
