2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Developing Complete Engineers: Integrating Six Non-Technical Competencies in the First-Year Experience

Presented at FPD: Complete Papers - Student Major and Career Discernment

Developing engineering students as successful professionals requires establishing strong technical knowledge and cultivating a set of non-technical competencies that support professional and personal growth. Building on our earlier work of establishing the context, justification, and growth framework of the Complete Engineer® program, this study examines how the model has been integrated into the freshman engineering experience. The Complete Engineer® program emphasizes six core competencies that include Inclusive Excellence, Communication, Self-Management and Leadership, Civic Responsibility, Teamwork, and Professionalism and Ethics. We present strategies for implementation, highlight preliminary outcomes, and share lessons learned that may guide other engineering programs seeking to introduce holistic professional development into the freshman experience. The results of our study show the degree to which students’ understanding of the competencies aligned with the program definitions following exposure to the program in their first-year seminar.

Authors
  1. Markeya Peteranetz University of Nebraska - Lincoln [biography]
  2. Dr. Lance C. Perez University of Nebraska - Lincoln [biography]
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