A perspective from industry on characteristics of life long learning

An important topic in the ABET accreditation criteria, as well as one generating much discussion in engineering education is that of life long learning. Life long learning is important in any area but engineering and engineering technology graduates particularly need this ability because of the dynamic change caused by technological advancements that affect all they do. What makes a good leaner and what are the characteristics one must have to acquire that ability for a lifetime? With rigorous disciplines like engineering and technology, how does one keep up and stay excited to learn new things? Are the characteristics of life long learning "caught or taught?" A survey of engineering and engineering technology alumni from Brigham Young University and their supervisors was conducted asking the importance of characteristics such as technical competence, good thinking skills, desire to learn new things, religious faith, ability to work with people, and others, in terms of being a good life long learner. They also rated how well these factors were accomplished in both the general and technical education they received at Brigham Young University. This paper: (1) presents the results of this survey in terms of the impact of technical and general education on being good life long learners, (2) provides an interpretation of the results and comments, and (3) recommends idea for increasing the ability of engineering and engineering technology graduates to be good life-long learners.