Global Competition Eclipses America's Edge

These online programs are great if you don't have a local university or your schedule can't accommodate in-person classroom time. Sponsored by the American Society for Engineering Education, www.learnon.org lists many such programs. National Technological University, www.ntu.edu, also offers distance learning master's degrees.

Engineers seem to get lots of their new information through webinars, which are fast, inexpensive, and practical. And, they're appearing with greater frequency. While many of them are sponsored by companies looking to push their lastest products, they still offer state-of-the-art information in between the promotional plugs. Electronic Design sponsors a number of webinars (see the Webcasts page at www.electronicdesign.com). IEEE also provides sessions at www.ieee.org.

For most engineers, continuing education is all about self-learning. Having gone through tough college programs, engineers already have the discipline to tackle these topics on their own. Many engineers have even asked why they should pay for a course, seminar, or other formal program when they can learn things on their own. The Internet provides resources on just about every subject, and books and magazines can fill in the gaps.

For more, see interviews with Anthony Ambler, Department Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin at ED Online 12877 and with Dr. Albert McHenry, Dean of Applied Science and Technology at Arizona State University, at ED Online 12878 at www.electronicdesign.com.