Industry mentors in a technical communications program

The Engineering School at SUNY in the US developed and has been implementing a technical communications (TC) program since 1988. A major element of this TC program is an elective course which affords the students an opportunity to develop proposal preparation and presentation skills in a workshop-oriented atmosphere. Over the past three years (1991-94) a mentoring program has been included, involving representatives from Western New York industries. The structure and evolution of the mentoring program is discussed, as well as its impact on student performance. Faculty, student, and industry perspectives are offered. Potential directions for the mentoring program are discussed.<
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