Industry-university cooperation: a way to stem the loss of freshman engineering students

Each academic year more than 100 engineers from the Phoenix metropolitan area participate in the freshman engineering program at Arizona State University either as technical consultants or as jury members for the semester design competition. Although this program requires the use of consultants and judges, the benefits of the joint effort extend far beyond these important functions. The freshman engineers are provided an opportunity to talk to practicing engineers on a personal and informal basis and at a time when their own ideas about engineers and engineering are still very hazy. The combination of faculty and experienced engineers working together with students on a common project, with each of the participants contributing in his area of interest and specialization, has established a spirit of mutual understanding and respect.