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Theresa A. Maldonado, Ph.D., P.E.Associate Dean for Research, Dwight Look College of Engineering
Associate Director, Texas Engineering Experiment StationProfessor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
ENGR 381 Honors SeminarENGR 381 Honors SeminarSeptember 26, 2005September 26, 2005
The Importance of Research Skills in Your JobThe Importance of Research Skills in Your Job
OutlineOutline
• Background and History• Current situation• Possibilities• Undergraduate Research• Interdisciplinary Research• Qualifications and Options
Lessons Learned (from Industry)Lessons Learned (from Industry)
• There is absolutely no guarantee that you will work on projects related to your degree.
• Disciplinary cultures are vastly different!• People are different.• Communication skills are vital to success.• Projects are less interesting unless you have an
advanced degree, especially the Ph.D.• I learned how to adapt.• I learned when and how to make changes.• I learned how to fail.• I learned that keeping a sense of humor is important.
Current SituationCurrent Situation
• Offshoring– Do U.S. companies really want you?– In 2000 more than 1.2M of the world’s 2.3M science &
engineering degrees were awarded to Asians. U.S.: 400K degrees
• Industrial research laboratories disappearing• Mergers• High probability that you will change jobs within 5 years• High probability that you will change career directions• Dynamic technology development• Policy/legal constraints
PossibilitiesPossibilitiesHow do you make yourself - and keep yourself – valuable in
this climate?How do you keep from becoming obsolete?
• Reinvent your discipline – Examples:– AE developing new materials or designing artificial organs– EE moving into oncogenomics
• Internships and co-op positions outside the comfort zone– Marketing– Finance– Consulting
• Foreign language skills• Research training!!
Excerpt from “The Pampered Chef”by Doris Christopher
“At times, technology has eliminated jobs held by good people. Thankfully, the company was experiencing tremendous growth, which allowed us to find slots to place these people in other areas. As a result, many good people have jobs in areas different from where they initially started.”
Why Undergraduate Research?Why Undergraduate Research?
• Job satisfaction• Flexibility
– Move to next level– Take different career paths
• Ability to work with people outside of your discipline and culture– Different disciplines have different cultures.– Different countries have different cultures.
• More opportunities• Big picture
– Connect the concepts– Understand the importance of the work
• Network
Research Environment TodayResearch Environment Today
• More interdisciplinary• Team-based• Entrepreneurial• Eye on commercialization• Focus on societal implications
But you must have your academic tool kit!!
National Human Genome National Human Genome Research InstituteResearch Institute
Prof. Edward Dougherty, Director, EE Dept.Collaborators:
TampereTampere International CenterInternational CenterFor Signal Processing For Signal Processing -- FinlandFinland
University of University of CampinasCampinasBrazilBrazil
Institute of MathematicsInstitute of MathematicsAnd Statistics And Statistics -- BrazilBrazil
GSP Research GSP Research ––Example Collaborative ProjectsExample Collaborative Projects
• Small-sample cancer classification• Early detection of breast cancer• Design of genomic networks using concepts from
communications networks• Statistical design of genetic regulatory networks• Hierarchical control in genetic regulation• Etc., etc., etc.• Approximately 20 active projects with various major
collaborators
University Research, Engineering, andUniversity Research, Engineering, andTechnology Institute (URETI)Technology Institute (URETI)
http://tiims.tamu.edu/
TiiMSTiiMS
• Functionalized nanomaterials• Biomaterials and devices• Multifunctional materials systems• Multiscale modeling• Intelligent systems• Education
Research Qualifications SkillsResearch Qualifications Skills
• High GPA – Helpful but not crucial– Knowledge of core academic material
• Self motivation• Curiosity – Learn how to learn!• Desire to think outside your discipline• Communications skills
– Writing– Speaking
• Long term vs. short term: Patience!
What are your options?What are your options?
• College-wide undergraduate research program• NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates• Industrial internships• Others• Ask questions!• Use your network!
