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Bridging the gap between math education and high-tech industry expectations

Bridging the gap between math education and high-tech industry expectations. Betty Weiss Summer 2002. Overview of the project. Collect data from Stratex employees Cover various areas of the company Ask about the use of math in their jobs Determine other workplace skills.

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Bridging the gap between math education and high-tech industry expectations

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  1. Bridging the gap between math education and high-tech industry expectations Betty Weiss Summer 2002

  2. Overview of the project • Collect data from Stratex employees • Cover various areas of the company • Ask about the use of math in their jobs • Determine other workplace skills

  3. How was the data collected? • In-person interviews • On-line survey

  4. Who participated? • In San Jose • In New Zealand

  5. Input by company area Development Engineering 47% Product Mktg./Program Man. 19% IT 16% Manufacturing/Planning 5% Human Resources 5% Executive Staff 5% Other 3%

  6. What did I discover? • Numerous industry applications • Varied opinions of mathematics AND MOST SIGNIFICANTLY… • A clear gap exists between college math classes and industry expectations

  7. What mathematical topics did employees use most often? • Basic arithmetic • Algebra • Statistics • Analytical skills

  8. Specific uses of mathematics at Stratex Networks

  9. Applications of math at Stratex • Calculating the first pass yield • Calculating bit error rates • Maintaining levels of inventory • Scheduling workers to maximize output • Partitioning a hard drive • Dimensional analysis • Linear model of power dissipation in a chip

  10. More applications of math • Area under signal curve = % of power • Angles in latches and hinges • Calculating market share • Calculating profit margins • Currency conversions and discounting • Simulating a circuit board with matrices • Finding the shortest path in IP routing

  11. Thoughts on math…

  12. Thoughts on math …. • “I hate numbers and now I work with them every day. It’s a necessary evil.” • “You set it up and you get an answer, which is NOT how it is in business!” • “Solving linear equations is a great way to relax.”

  13. More math thoughts… • “The more you understand math, the better you’ll be in the workplace. You stand out if you don’t know it.” • “There is not a job worth having that does not use it to accomplish its end results.” • “Love it. It is absolutely essential to good decision-making.”

  14. Focusing on the campus-to-workplace gap

  15. CAMPUS Textbook problems are always well formed. Students do homework on their own. Short written answers are the norm. Theory is emphasized over practice. People skills are not very important. Graphing calculators rule. WORKPLACE Problems are rarely well formed. Teamwork is emphasized. Communications in written, verbal and symbolic forms. Practical applications are the focus. People skills are key. Excel is the main technology tool. The gap between campus and workplace in expected skills

  16. Some data describing the gap • Lack of well formed problems • Communication and people skills • Technology tools

  17. Data on well formed problems “Are the problems you are asked to solve well formed?” Only 2 out of 30 people interviewed said “Yes, usually.” (This is less than 7%)

  18. Data on communication skills Communication and people skills are very important, said 47% of respondents. .

  19. Regarding the technology gap

  20. How to bridge the campus-to-industry gap? • Suggestions for instructors • Advice for students

  21. Suggestions for instructors • Relevant applications • Open-ended problems • Writing & speaking • Teamwork and projects • Use of Excel • Awareness of industry needs

  22. Advice for students aiming for jobs in the high-tech industry REGARDING YOUR EDUCATION: • Know the fundamentals • Learn how to learn • Develop comm. skills • Explore your options • Get your degree now

  23. More advice for students REGARDING WORK IN HIGH-TECH: • Internship experience • PC skills • Continuing education

  24. Possible impacts for Stratex Networks • Contributing to students & educators • Education consciousness • Future connections

  25. What did I get out of it? • Knowledge of industry & its needs • Meeting professionals in another field • Affirmation of my choice of career

  26. Your feedback • Suggestions • Questions or comments • How did you benefit?

  27. Thanks for all your help! • Lou Salinas • Sarah McDowell • Interviewees • On-line survey respondents • Chuck Kissner, Tom Perry and IISME

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