Page 43 - Engineering Career Guide, 4th Edition

Doing Good Work— and Getting Credit
The EPICS (Engineering Projects in Community Service) program founded
at Purdue University is an innovative initiative that connects engineering stu- dents with real-world challenges facing local and global communities. It encour- ages students to apply their technical skills to address societal needs and make a difference in people’s lives. Purdue’s success with the program has led to the creation of EPICS programs in engineer- ing schools nationwide.
Students work in teams on projects that span various domains, including healthcare, environment, education, and more. These projects are proposed and developed in collaboration with commu- nity partners, ensuring that the solutions are relevant and beneficial to the in- tended recipients. Since 2009, EPICS has facilitated over 180 projects in over 30 countries, impacting more than 291,000 people.
EPICS focuses on experiential learn- ing, providing hands-on experience in project management, teamwork, and communication while honing engineering abilities. The program fosters a culture of giving back and instills social responsibil- ity, inspiring students to use their exper- tise for the greater good. Witnessing the direct impact of their projects on people’s lives, students develop empathy and a deeper understanding of their engineer- ing work’s broader implications.
Racing in Concrete
Every year, teams of
engineering students
from across the U.S.
and Canada do the
seemingly impossible:
make concrete float.
Sponsored by the
American Society of
Civil Engineers, the Na-
tional Concrete Canoe
Competition allows civil
engineering students to
gain hands-on, practical experience by working with concrete mix de- signs to build a working boat. Expanding student understanding of the versatility of materials is important, but so is building teamwork and project management skills. In 2023, California Polytechnic State Uni- versity, San Luis Obispo (pictured), beat out 19 other teams for first place. Youngtown State took second place.
Connecting With Kids
The United States Naval Academy is committed to inspiring more kids to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). A recent “Girls Only STEM Day” drew middle-school girls who designed and built a catapult launch-and-capture sys- tem to simulate delivering humanitarian aid under adverse condi- tions such as natural disasters and wartime. Other USNA-hosted events include summer STEM programs, outreach trips to loca- tions like Hawaii and San Diego, an underwater remotely oper- ated vehicle (ROV) program, robotics competitions, and much more. Attend the Naval Academy, and you could be part of it!
PHOTOS COURTESY THE SCHOOLS ENGINEERING CAREER GUIDE 43