6008ENG Informational Interview: Career Planning & Reflection

This report provides a reflection on informational interviews conducted with managers in corporate organizations, utilizing the DEEP framework to analyze the interview process. The report focuses on describing the interviews, interpreting the information gathered, evaluating the knowledge gained, and planning for future career development in the field of mechanical engineering. Key topics covered include networking, identifying success factors, understanding career paths, and the importance of practical applicability of technology, particularly in mechatronics. The interviews emphasized the continuous learning required in the field due to its ever-changing technological landscape and the need for professionals to develop strong practical knowledge and innovative leadership skills. The report concludes that the interviews provided valuable insights into the knowledge development process, highlighting the importance of continuous improvement and adaptation to technological advancements for effective career growth in mechanical engineering. Desklib offers a wealth of resources, including solved assignments and past papers, to support students in their academic and professional journeys.

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6008ENG Informational Interview Part 2

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Reflection report
Introduction
This report is a reflection report on interviews that were taken among managers that
held some important positions in corporate organizations. The study is focused towards
evaluating the interview taken through the utilization of the DEEP framework. Considering
the framework the most important aspects that are evaluated are the description of the
interviews, the effective interpretation of the interview, the evaluation of the knowledge and
the planning of the future career based on the information that are gathered. The interview
was important for me as it helped to gain knowledge and skills at the same time. This can be
used for my further future development.
Reflection
D- Describe
The interviews were much important as the interviewees had significant experiences
in their fields. This made them very knowledgeable and effective in terms of the
organizational and corporate functions. I covered many topics related to my career planning
in the mechanical engineering field of study.
Firstly, I was informed about the factors that are needed to broaden my network. I
came to know that being good at understanding the mechanical engineering concepts was the
first part. The second part would be to create network through which he knowledge can be
showcased and applied.
Secondly, finding the success factors was reaffirmed to be an important goal as per
the interview results. I came to know that without being goal oriented in the field of
mechanical engineer one cannot be able to handle projects effectively [3]. This can also
hamper the individual career growth prospects in the future.
Thirdly, the career path of the employees that were found pointed to the growth value
that focuses on going from strength to strength over the various periods of the professional
career. It was found that Logic and PLC is important in the industry as it helps to understand
the job contexts better [4]. Cost certification was found to be important to determine the all-
round successes of projects and the technology that are used. This was found to be an
important endeavour for all professional mechanical engineers.
E- Interpret
The knowledge that was gathered greatly support my own development of knowledge
in accordance of my career plan. The career paths were found to be more focused on the real
time performances. It was almost completely focused on the practical ability. This is
contradictory to what I previously conceived about the career. I understood that a good
balance between knowledge and practical applicability is required. However, the projects are
almost entirely based on the practical applicability of the most important elements like
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technology application [1]. In this case knowledge that is gathered from real time projects are
much more important. However, the theoretical learning only enhances the learning process
form the practical experiences. In accordance of my previous conception strong knowledge of
technology and their practical applicability is a very important factor related to the
professional development in the mechanical engineering career. At the same time the
professional should take personal initiatives to develop stronger relationships with the people
that are part of the team. Project ownership and responsibility ownership were found to be
very important for career growth. Understanding the mechatronics branch of learning
effectively is important to develop a bright career in the field. Focus should be on
understanding complex elements of engineering systems.
E- Evaluate
The knowledge of mechatronics branch of learning is very important in the field of
mechanical engineering. The interviewees pointed out the fact that the development of
learning never stops in their professional field. This is because of the ever changing nature of
the mechanical engineering technologies that are utilized. The technologies are becoming
more complex and difficult to understand. This is mainly the reason for professionals in the
field to keep on learning the essential processes. There is a need to develop knowledge that is
applicable for developing better technology. There is also a requirement for innovative
leadership, especially in the field of technology application [4]. The goals should be aligned
with the mechanics that are employed in the organizational work environment. The strategies
of professional development are the most important in the evaluative processes that are
important to judge the various phases of the career. It can be said that the development of
effective knowledge management strategies are also an important requirement in this field.
P- Plan
There were many new information that were gained through the processes of the
interviews. The knowledge of how learning can be made to be an effective career path was
important to develop a strong learning centred career outlook. The requirement of developing
practical knowledge of mechatronics would help to create stronger and more effective growth
objectives for the future. Application of the advanced computing and controlling systems as
learnt from the interviews would be important in the creation of a better goal oriented career
plan [2]. I would reassess my professional development on the basis of the better knowledge
of the practical applicability of technology. The career planning should now be more
dependent on developing stronger knowledge of technology. Apart from this there is an
essential requirement for understanding innovation. The profession is dependent on ever
changing technological environment. Continuously, striving for developing an effective
process for optimization of technology becomes very important. Professional development is
much dependent on acquiring, adapting and improvising knowledge and overcoming
technological barriers.
Conclusion
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The implications of the interviews pointed to the fact that the development of learning
in the field of mechanical engineering is a continuous process. At the same time the
understanding of the developmental aspects that are mostly connected with the practical
applicability of technology were found. In essence mechanical engineering field is a field
where continuous innovation is required. The interviews helped me to develop proper
understanding of the knowledge development process that goes beyond the learnings that
emerge from the course. It is important hence to keep improving my understanding of
technology. The implications are important as they would help me to grow and develop my
skills more effectively in the future.
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Bibliography
[1] Ayar, M.C., 2015. First-Hand Experience with Engineering Design and Career Interest in
Engineering: An Informal STEM Education Case Study. Educational Sciences: Theory and
Practice, 15(6), pp.1655-1675.
[2] Cardador, M.T. and Hill, P.L., 2018. Career paths in engineering firms: Gendered patterns
and implications. Journal of Career Assessment, 26(1), pp.95-110.
[3] Abhyankar, A., Carrico, C., Matusovich, H. and Brunhaver, S., 2018, January.
Understanding the socializer influence on engineering students’ career planning. In American
Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, UT, June 24-27, 2018.
[4] Patrick, A.D., Choe, N.H., Martins, L.L., Borrego, M.J., Kendall, M.R. and Seepersad,
C.C., 2017, June. A Measure of Affect toward Key Elements of Engineering Professional
Practice. In ASEE annual conference & exposition proceedings.
6008ENG Informational Interview Part 2