Times of Change in the Engineering Industry: Practising Engineers, Undergraduate Students and Mentoring

This presentation reports on a mentoring trial that was implemented by the University of Canterbury’s College of Engineering and School of Educational Studies and Leadership (EDSL) in partnership with the local branch of the Institute of Professional Engineers of New Zealand (IPENZ). Drawing in the expertise of leadership lecturers from EDSL, the mentoring trial trained seventeen practising engineers in aspects of effective mentoring.  Students studying civil and natural resources engineering in years three and four were matched with the engineers. The pilot included pre and post-pilot surveys, training, and provision of supporting resources. Both mentors and mentees found that the experience was rewarding and beneficial. The mentoring program fostered an environment where students felt motivated to continue in their studies because they could now envisage their future in the changing engineering landscape.