Boeing, a global aerospace company, has begun research on an engineering school ranking process with the hopes of improving university engineering departments across the country.
Boeing spokesperson Cindy Wall said by evaluating how students perform in the workforce, Boeing will be able to critique various engineering departments. The data collected will supply universities with information about the effectiveness of their programs in preparing engineering students for future careers.
The company is currently in the process of deciding how to best evaluate students in order to develop the ranking system, Wall said, noting that although the ranking process has yet to begin, many schools have voiced their interest in the program.
“Many are in favor [of it] because it will give them information on how their program is affecting business needs,” she said.
Boeing’s current research includes close work with various universities’ engineering department faculty members to inform colleges about the process of creating the ranking system, as well as working with the College Board to facilitate relationships with various schools, Wall said.
Boeing is researching 88 schools with former students now working for the company to determine the rankings, Wall said.
Wall also noted that because the ranking system is a “new approach,” Boeing “may need to change the processes down the road.”
While the University’s role in the research is still undecided, Lloyd Barrett, University of Virginia mechanical and aerospace engineering professor, said he believes the Engineering School’s good relationship with Boeing could encourage the company to include the University in its efforts, noting that several students from the University have gone to work for the company in the past.
Barrett added that the Engineering School tries to prepare students for the working world through design courses in which students work in teams and also through courses that incorporate technical writing.
Along with classroom efforts, Barrett noted that the University “talks to employers and gets their input about what they think students should be prepared for.”
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