Engineering Careers in Social Innovation and Global Sustainable Development [Commentary]

Reports on engineering careers in the field of social innovation and global sustainable development. For example, discusses a Pennsylvania State University program called, Humanitarian Engineering and Social Entrepreneurship (HESE). This program brings together students and faculty from various disciplines to develop innovative and practical technologybased solutions to address socioeconomic challenges in developing countries. HESE students work with diverse partners to design innovative technology products and services that create and bolster livelihoods while addressing challenges like food security, energy poverty, and access to healthcare. They turn these products and services into independent self-sustaining enterprises that have the potential to scale to “multimillion smile enterprises.” HESE is one of many academic programs and professional/student organizations (like Engineers Without Borders) that enable science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) students and professionals to develop the skillsets and mindsets necessary to launch entrepreneurial ventures as well as their careers in global sustainable development. After pursuing such intense and immersive experiences in academic settings, these passionate, hardworking students are often not excited to take up well-paying but conventional jobs in large organizations.