Interview with an Engineer Technical Memorandum & Soft Skills (Engineering/CTE)

This project is intended to be used in a capstone course within an engineering program. The lesson provides students step-by-step instructions for coordinating and conducting an interview with an engineer in an effective and professional manner.

Lesson documents discuss the following topics:

1. The distinction between hard and soft skills
2. Insight into employer perspectives on soft vs. hard skills
3. What is technical communication and how this form differs from other communication styles
4. How to format and send a technical memo (to be sent to interviewee)
5. How to prepare for and how to conduct a professional interview
6. How to effectively follow-up after a professional meeting

The lesson has students synthesize their findings by composing a second technical memorandum addressed to their teacher. A rubric is provided for composing the memo addressed to the interviewee and a second rubric is provided for the memo discussing the findings from the interview.