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Subject: Re: [OT] Why there are so few New
Author: Eric Miller
Date: 2008-04-18 20:59:29
Dear all,
Thanks, this has been a good discussion. For most of you the day is
coming to an end, but feel free to chip in more if you have some final
thoughts. It has also helped us exercise the new software.
My final thought on this: I have two sons (5 and 9 yrs old) and the
older is showing a lot of the skills needed to be a good engineer.
Would I recommend simulation or even engineering to him as a career? I
hesitate because I don't want him to face the corporate environment that
I did. And he could get laid off at any minute.
But I really love doing simulation, it is like solving puzzles all day
long, or like a good exercise session where you are exhausted at the end
but feel good (insert inappropriate snicker here). So I'm on the fence,
and am therefore part of the problem.
Have a great weekend.
Eric
------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
Eric Miller
Principal
Director, Analysis &
Design Technologies
Phoenix Analysis & Design Technologies
www.padtinc.com
(480) 813-4884 x103
eric.miller_at_padtinc.com
-----Original Message-----
From: xansys-bounces_at_xansys.org [mailto:xansys-bounces_at_xansys.org] On
Behalf Of Dayal, Vinay [AER E]
Sent: Friday, April 18, 2008 8:34 AM
To: ANSYS User Discussion List
Subject: Re: [Xansys] [OT] Why there are so few New Gradswhowantto
doSimulation
Looks like this thread has touched a raw nerve. So here are some
thoughts from one who is in the trenches. For good or bad, the current
trend in the education has become to know "How" and not "Why". Whatever
the professor dishes out to you should be accepted and should not
question him. Years ago my Physics book was by Resnik and Halliday and a
few years back when my daughter was using the book by the same authors I
was totally surprised. The book was fatter, fetches more money, had
thousands of problems to solve and the material for explanation had not
grown. Highlighted bullets, hints, colored boxes with how to, are the
way books are written. So the emphasis is not 'why' but how to solve
these problems. In any exam the questions will be of this type and if
you have solved enough problems you will ace the test.
Many of you know that the typical Indian Institute of Technology
entrance test scores are above 95%. Even in subjects like English
students score almost perfect scores. Looks like everyone has a command
on the English language better than Shakespeare. Basically, the rote
learning is being promoted at the expense of thinking.
So what are these so called brilliant students doing. On a recent visit
to IIT Kanpur, one of the top schools in Aerospace Engineering, I was
told by the Chairman that not even one, zip zero, student stays back in
the Aerospace. Each one of them is getting x10 salaries in the IT and
banking industry and so they leave.
At least in US, in the last 15 years, the education has been
"Corporatized". The throughput is what counts. How many students you
take and how many you output. Keep the attrition rate low. The numbers
matter, the quality does not. How can you reach each student in a class
of 70-80 students? One solution I have found is to give them a partially
defined problem. When they cannot solve it, they hate me, they struggle,
they talk to other students in the class and then they come to me
looking for answers. At this time when you explain things they
understand. Hopefully, in a few years when they are working, their hate
for me will turn to something better.
I am very happy that so many of you have noticed this deficiency in the
students and so next time when you go to your alma mater, talk to the
Dean and Chairs of the department and tell them of your findings. If you
happen to be on the Industrial Advisory Board of some Engineering
School, raise this point. Complain to the Professor and nothing will
change.
Dr. Vinay Dayal
-----Original Message-----
From: xansys-bounces_at_xansys.org [mailto:xansys-bounces_at_xansys.org] On
Behalf Of Fern Thomassy
Sent: Friday, April 18, 2008 9:31 AM
To: 'ANSYS User Discussion List'
Subject: Re: [Xansys] [OT] Why there are so few New Grads whowantto
doSimulation
> I had one supervisor who wanted FEA done on every project because,
> even if trivial, it was a reality check.
>
Rick,
I just wanted to highlight "reality check". The underlying assumption
is that the supervisor assumes the physics will be right because FEA
touched it rather than an engineer thought about it.
What fun . . . Fern
Fernand A. Thomassy, P.E.
Principal Engineer
www.fallbrooktech.com
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