Resources for Undergraduate Students

Complete Engineer Competency Growth Framework

As students begin working on developing and further honing these six essential core competencies - in tandem with enhancing their technical knowledge and skills - they can strive to reach three levels within the framework: Exposure, Engagement and Transformation. This framework serves as a guide as personal and professional growth occurs. It should be noted that the journey of a Complete Engineer does not end at "Transformation," but is a continual process of learning, discovery and further development.

Complete Engineer Competency Definitions	Exposure	Engagement	Transformation
Inclusive Excellence We recognize and embrace our differences and make equity and inclusion a priority. We know diversity of people and ideas empowers us to address challenges and leads us to creativity and innovation.	Student is open to learning about inclusion. Student demonstrates knowledge of the value of differences and participating in experiences to increase understanding of others’ differences.	Student initiates participation in experiences that challenge their perspectives. Student can articulate their own identity and culture and how it connects to others. Student can identify opportunities for growth.	Student demonstrates growth or change in values, beliefs, or perspectives related to diversity and inclusion. Student actively works to create an inclusive environment  in their own spaces.
Communication We effectively connect through respectful collaborative exchanges of information and ideas. We build relationships and achieve successful outcomes through our many forms of communication.	Student takes part in respectful collaborative exchanges of information and ideas. Student demonstrates participation in and knowledge of various forms of effective communication and listening.	Student initiates effective written and oral communication through varied experiences. Student can identify opportunities for growth.	Student demonstrates growth, change, or positive shift in behavior, knowledge, skills, or abilities by communicating effectively with a range of audiences and through a range of modalities.
Teamwork We create accountable, engaged, productive teams that collaborate across disciplines. We respect the contributions of all members and their unique roles and perspectives as we work toward objectives.	Student is open to collaborating with others. Student demonstrates knowledge of effective teamwork.	Student practices teamwork, potentially across disciplines. Student can articulate and fulfill their role and responsibilities on a given team. Students can identify opportunities for growth.	Student demonstrates growth, change, or positive shift in behavior, knowledge, skills, or abilities in teamwork by collaborating across disciplines and showing respect for all members’ unique roles, perspectives, and contributions.
Self-management & Leadership We take responsibility for our own behavior and well-being as we act with integrity to serve the needs of our communities. We responsibly prioritize goals and use initiative, motivation, empathy, openness, and organization to move toward shared goals.	Student is open to learning about self-management, and leadership. Student demonstrates knowledge of the roles self-management and leadership play in their future profession.	Student takes on leadership roles, either formal or informal, and demonstrates self-management. Student recognizes the importance of managing themselves and its impact on serving the needs of others. Students can identify opportunities for growth.	Student demonstrates growth, change, or positive shift in behavior, knowledge, skills, or abilities in relation to managing themselves and their capacity to lead. Student also demonstrates growth in prioritizing goals and use of initiative, motivation, empathy, openness, and organization.
Civic Responsibility We have a positive impact on the world around us by being engaged, solving problems, and making a difference. We create a better future by actively contributing to our professions and communities.	Student is open to learning about the impact individuals can have on the world and the future. Student demonstrates participation in service or civic activity.	Student initiates participation in service or civic activity. Student demonstrates awareness of their responsibility to the world, the profession, and their communities.	Student demonstrates growth, change, or positive shift in behavior, knowledge, skills, or abilities related to the impact individuals can have on the world and the future through service or civic activities. Student exhibits knowledge of their responsibility to consider public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors while actively contributing to their profession and communities.
Professionalism & Ethics We are trusted and recognized for our integrity, as we work to improve the health, safety, and welfare of society. We behave responsibly, ethically, and respectfully.	Student is open to learning about relevant professional code(s) of ethics as well as key elements of professionalism in their industry.	Student demonstrates professionalism, ethics, and respect in their behavior. Students can identify opportunities for growth.	Student demonstrates growth, change, or positive shift in behavior, knowledge, skills, or abilities to act professionally, ethically, and respectfully within a professional context. Student can articulate the role professionals in their field play in improving the health, safety, and welfare of society.

Examples to help meet your goals

As you work to deepen your experience in each of the competencies, the following chart of examples is meant to offer suggestions and inspire you to think of other ideas that meet your needs and goals. The examples below should not be viewed as prescriptive, nor as a checklist that must be completed. You can design your own path through the Complete Engineer^® and you may already be engaging in activities and practices that meet some of these levels. Thoughtful reflection and critical thinking before, during and after any activity is what truly leads to growth.

Complete Engineer Competency	Exposure: ideas that broaden your exposure	Engagement: ideas that engage at a deeper level	Transformation: ideas that help transform
Inclusive Excellence	Visit or familiarize yourself with services and programming offered by cultural or identity resource centers on- or off-campus. Attend events organized by resource centers and other inclusion groups. Have a conversation with someone with a different identity or background than you. Participate in a training or workshop related to an identity, culture, or background different than your own. Read, watch, or listen to items related to this competency.	Participate in experiences related to diversity, equity, and inclusion that challenge your perspective. Articulate your own identity and culture and how it connects to others. Join an organization with a mission related to inclusive excellence. Develop a personal or group mission or vision around inclusive excellence. Facilitate a diversity dialogue.	Demonstrate growth or change in values, beliefs and perspectives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion through sustained engagement with these concepts. Actively work to create an inclusive environment that leads to creativity and innovation in your own spaces. Continuously improve a group or student organization’s processes, policies, or practices related to inclusive excellence.
Communication	Use a self-assessment tool to identify strengths and areas for improvement. Interview a peer, professional, staff or faculty member. Participate in critical thinking exercises (verbal or written). Participate in clubs, organizations, campus organized team experiences, competitions, or service-learning projects. Attend an academic presentation or professional development event. Read, watch, or listen to items related to this competency.	Actively participate in a range of conversations and discussions. In collaborative settings, be deliberate when asking questions, building on shared ideas, and inviting other voices into the conversation. Listen and respectfully engage with diverse perspectives. Actively participate in formal communication setting (e.g., give a poster or paper presentation, participate in roundtable discussion, etc.). Serve in a role that requires effective communication with diverse groups (e.g., ambassador, learning assistant, tutor, academic minor, outreach). Contribute to communications for an organization (e.g., newsletter, email communications, social media, etc.).	Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative conversations and discussions. In collaborative settings, lead and propel dialogue by asking questions, building on shared ideas, and inviting other voices into the conversation. Thoughtfully respond to and respectfully engage in diverse environments and perspectives. Invest in a role where communication leads to change (e.g., student government, advisory boards). Manage communications for an organization (e.g., newsletter, email communications, social media, etc.).
Teamwork	Become a member of a club, organization, study group, intramural, campus organized team experience, competition team, or service-learning project. Attend workshops or seminars focused on developing teamwork skills. Read, watch, or listen to items related to this competency.	Be an active participant in a student organization, study group, intramural, campus-organized team experience, competition team, or service-learning project. Take courses with a teamwork component and receive favorable peer reviews. Request or facilitate a feedback process with team members at the conclusion of a project.	Demonstrate investment in a team and developing team members. Be a leader in a club, organization, study group, intramural, campus organized team experience, competition, or service-learning project.
Self-management & Leadership	Participate in a campus co-curricular or extracurricular activity. Participate in a service-learning activity. Participate in a K-12 afterschool activity. Attend a leadership seminar. Take inventory of your strengths, skills, and values. Attend workshops related to student success or other self-management skills. Read, watch, or listen to items related to this competency.	Participate in student organization. Participate in wellness coaching or wellness self-assessment and evaluate the influence your results have on yourself and others. Interview someone in a leadership position outside of academia and reflect on lessons learned. Develop a written, 5-year plan including pathways to leadership positions. Assess how your role as a student is balanced with your other responsibilities and priorities.	Serve in an executive-level leadership position in an organization. Lead a service learning or volunteer activity. Create a new organization on campus or in the community. Serve in a leadership role such as a mentor position, resident assistant, or other leadership role.
Civic Responsibility	Attend meeting of a service group. Participate in a service project. Volunteer in your community. Attend a meeting or gathering of a community group. Read, watch, or listen to items related to this competency.	Take an active role in a campus service group. Take an active role in community-based service group. Be an active, contributing member of a community group. Participate in discussions about the impact your profession has on society. Complete a course that discusses impact of your profession on society.	Take an active leadership role in a service organization, including planning and execution of novel projects involving a group. Take an active leadership role in a community group, including leading discussions and collectively making decisions. Complete a large study of the impact your profession has on a particular segment of society. Actively assess the impact of your profession on the community and society.
Professionalism & Ethics	Demonstrate knowledge of codes of ethics. Attend a career fair or networking event where you communicate with professionals. Attend an etiquette and professional networking dinner or similar event. Explore your career opportunities. Develop professional career-related materials such as a resume and cover letter. Take inventory of your personal or professional values. Read, watch, or listen to items related to this competency.	Attend conference or training focused on professionalism & ethics. Develop statement that outlines values and how they intersect with professional identity. Assess where codes of ethics fit into your personal or professional life. Evaluate your fit for a career path or employment opportunity based on professionalism and ethics.	Demonstrate how values influence professional behavior and ethical choices during work or course experience. Identify, reconcile, and address areas where codes of ethics do not fit into your personal or professional life.