Nurturing Soft Skills in Engineering Education with Interactive Activities

Abstract

In today's job market, soft skills are increasingly crucial, surpassing technical knowledge. Traditional lectures fall short in teaching these skills, prompting universities to explore new methods of instruction. A Turkish public university introduced a curriculum with non-disciplinary courses called Personal Development Pathway (PDP) courses for its Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) department. These courses aim to enhance soft skills, motivate students, foster positive relationships, and improve employability. Employing Positive Education approach, the PDP courses include hands-on learning, one-on-one meetings, exercises, interactions with professionals, and self-reflection. This study evaluates four PDP courses that are offered for first-, second-, and third-year EEE students. It explores how these courses, designed similarly but offered in different semesters, enhanced EEE students' soft skills and their understanding of course concepts. A questionnaire was administered to sixty-one students after four semesters of teaching. Data triangulation utilized journals, interviews, and reflections. Data showed increased motivation, improved interpersonal skills, and enhanced confidence in self-expression among students. Despite the collaborative effort and time required from instructors, these courses seem to provide valuable opportunities for students to enhance their competence and success in future careers.