In addition to developing strong technical skills in the classroom, the College of Engineering provides plenty of opportunities for students to enhance their career-readiness skillset both in and out of the classroom.
Professional Development for Engineers (ENGR 2101) is a one credit course that helps prepare students in their search for an engineering internship or job as well as professional skills for the workplace.
The assignments in ENGR 2101 require students to take actionable steps in the job search process, such as creating a resume, mock interviews and required career fair attendance.
For recent graduate Aysia Davis, ENG ‘25, these required assignments led her directly to her first full-time engineering job.
Davis worked full time as an undergraduate student, leaving her little free time for extracurricular activities. She didn’t plan on attending the fall career fair in 2024, but ENGR 2101 required it. Taking the day off from her job proved to be worth it as Davis connected with representatives of Whiting Turner at the career fair. They connected over some common experiences and encouraged Davis to apply. A few phone calls and in-person interviews later, Davis secured herself a full-time position as a Cost Engineer in Whiting Turner’s Maryland office.
Leading up to the career fair, Davis received all the preparation she needed through ENGR 2101. In class they went over proper business attire, had resume reviews and rehearsed their elevator pitch; skills that Davis brought with her to the career fair.
After applying and moving into the interview phase with Whiting Turner, Davis was able to rehearse her interview in yet another class assignment: mock interviews.
“After receiving the call that they wanted to interview me, there was already an assignment for a mock interview,” Davis recalls. She got her mock interview time slot moved up so she could practice before her phone call with Whiting Turner, and her preparedness paid off. “[The assignment] was literally a replica of what they said in the interview,” she concludes.
After meeting with the team at her in-person interview, Davis learned she secured the job and would start with Whiting Turner after graduation the following semester.
While Davis already had the skills needed for full time engineering position, ENGR 2101 helped her build her confidence and learn how to highlight the non-technical skills that set her apart.
“We talked about those soft skills a lot. I think that’s what I took away from it...they don’t care about just your knowledge. They also care about you as a person and how you can make the company better with your personality,” she explains.
ENGR 2101 is taught by the College of Engineering’s Director and Assistant Director of Career and Professional Development, Mike Madera and Leslie Silva. Registration is currently open for the Fall 2025 semester.