(676b) Professional Development Memos in Introduction to Engineering Courses

First year students in Introduction to Engineering courses attend professional organization meetings and provide a memorandum that describes the meeting content and how the organization and meeting content affects their development and career direction.  The memos have been part of the chemical and electrical sections of the Intro course at Auburn University for more than 7 years (more than 2000 students).  Students must complete two memos as part of the course grade; additional memos may be completed for extra credit.  One memo is due prior to mid-term: it is used to provide early intervention for students with writing skill deficiencies.  The memo assignment is used as a platform to introduce professional and technical communication guides, notions of lifelong learning, and department expectations and policies.  Students seek and select meetings or lectures sponsored by approved technical societies and student organizations.  Anecdotal results include a number of student organization leaders who attribute the memo requirement with getting them involved early in engineering organizations and competition teams.  Assessment results indicate that the memo experience assists in retention of engineering students and in attaining writing outcomes.