Engineers are ultimately problem-solvers.   They're people who are able to identify a need and investigate its causes to develop a solution. 

These solutions manifest in society as new products, like an artificial heart or biometric software or a car that drives itself. Then there are new policies that improve standards and methods, or shape industry and government. There are engineers who build better cities, promote green power, create stronger bridges, hurricane-safe buildings, even design the next wild rollercoaster. It's up to you and other students like you to decide where the world will go next.

Forget pocket-protectors and slide rules, engineers have some of most exciting jobs in the world. From eco-friendly energy to environmentally-sound policy, nano-particles that eat oil spills and cell phones that help the blind buy groceries – your career as an engineer can take you anyplace you want to go.

So what does it take to become an engineer? 

1. Technical Excellence.  It is a given that you will be challenged technically at CIT.  We are a top-ten engineering school – students accepted into our program normally have an average SAT score of 710 in math and 650 in verbal.  They represent the top 9% of their class. In 2006, over 4000 applications were received with less than 10% enrolled.
   
   Our students take engineering classes from day one, as well as calculus and other technical electives.  Classes normally have a lecture, a lab and a recitation.  We offer undergraduate degrees in five traditional disciplines, Chemical Engineering, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science Engineering, as well as double majors in Biomedical Engineering and Engineering and Public Policy.  All our programs are accredited by the

2. Exploration and Innovation.  Our students must have the ability to think for themselves.  Not merely to follow, but to lead.  CIT students are passionate and focused – most come here with ideas of their own, projects they started in high school or summer college courses.  CIT students all have that drive – the need to investigate and ferret out solutions, to build, to invent, to design, to develop.  Not only do we recognize it, we welcome you to bring it on!
   
   We prioritize teaching students how to bring their ideas to fruition.  Not just by enhancing technical skills but by teaching them how to foster innovation.  To manage the process, to make sure that you have the skills to take your ideas to the highest possible level.  We know you have the passion – we will teach you how to harness and apply it.
   

3. Intellectual Curiosity.  At CIT, you should expect more than a course schedule and books.  We want you to get your hands dirty – be it literally or figuratively.  Over 80% of our students participate in research during their undergraduate years.  You will be given opportunities to work with faculty and can even apply for financial support for your own research projects.  Every year, the university hosts an undergraduate research symposium called Meeting of the Minds, where hundreds of students present their research findings.  For juniors with a 3.5 GPA, CIT has an Honors Research program that allows undergraduate seniors the chance to participate in research at a graduate level.

4. Communication Skills.  The stereotypes of engineers are a thing of the past.  Students who graduate from CIT must be capable of articulating their ideas, contributing successfully in teams and working collaboratively with non-engineers, such as product designers or business managers.  To manage projects, to solve problems, to partner on ideas, to successfully advance your career – it's all about communication skills.
   
   Verbal and written communication is also essential to innovation.  You can have the best idea in the world but if you can’t articulate it, it probably isn’t going very far.  CIT students are required to fulfill general education requirements, which include writing classes and electives in humanities and social science. 
   
   We also highly encourage our students to take advantage of other the schools on campus.  We offer a five-year Masters/MBA program with the Tepper Business School, but our students benefit from all kinds of classes – from filmmaking to music, public speaking to statistics, project management to product design. 

5. Diversity of Thinking.  We all grow up somewhere and it’s natural to be comfortable with people from similar backgrounds and even to shy away from people who are different.  But that won’t prepare you for the job world.  Engineers today work and live all over the globe and they need to be comfortable in multicultural environments.  You may be leading a team building an oil pipeline in United Arab Emerits or wind-resistant buildings in the Philippines, or maybe creating biometric smart cards for use in Brazil .  Use your time at CIT to expand your understanding of the world – study abroad, get to know international students who are studying here or even learn a new language.  It will enhance your job prospects, we promise you that. 
   
   And don’t forget – the ability to innovate comes from challenging the norm.  When choosing project teams or study partners, don’t limit yourself.  Take a chance - open yourself and your work up to new ideas and new perspectives.  You may just end up with outcomes far greater than if you had worked alone.