John Callen and I have had a number of very interesting conversations over the past few years. John has this habit of actually reading the press releases we put out and then making cogent points on them.
On hearing of the theme for COFES 2007, John wrote:
I remember a couple of COFES' ago commenting on how it was accepted that it was hunky dory that domestic manufacturing move offshore. And then the very next COFES, everyone was up in arms because REAL Engineering was also getting outsource offshore. And now, COFES 2007's theme has us fully accepting the Globalization (AKA Outsourcing) of Engineering, by which I would expect, even the REAL Engineering. Amazing.
So what do we tell the kids in high school that are making choices for their future careers? Try the service or entertainment industries???
I want to be clear that the Globalization of Engineering is NOT synonymous with Outsourcing.
Outsourcing is a related issue, but one does not require the other.
Globalization of Engineering is the reality that design firms are operating in an environment where their competitors can come from anywhere in the world, the products need to serve a market that could be anywhere, the products need the ability to be sourced from anywhere, and that Engineering, as a team sport, no longer implies single, co-located teams.
This is what we will be discussing at COFES.
As for what we tell the kids making career choices, focus on learning how to execute, how to collaborate, and how to thrive on change.
His response:
I guess the answer to my "so what do we tell the kids in high school who are making their future career choices" question is:
a) learn one or more relevant foreign languages (any suggestions
b) keep using instant messaging, email, and other internet based communication forms, it'll come in handy
c) take on team projects, especially those that require you to interact remotelyGotta wonder how many school systems actually would support this type of curriculum?
I think John is right on the money here.
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(For those that don't know John, he is vp of marketing over at Gibbs & Associates. John is passionate about the role of -- or lack thereof -- that CAM plays in the minds and products of the CAD Vendors. John has real deep technical chops and has roots that go back to the early days at Evans and Sutherland. His critical voice is one I pay close attention to.)