ENHANCED STUDENT PERFORMANCE THROUGH INDUSTRY ADVISORS

Undergraduate students that complete their degrees and enter industry are seldom prepared for some of the realities of the work force. The expectations of academic reports for laboratories and course projects have strong theoretical considerations that often focus on small sub-problems manageable within a laboratory, unit, or at most a course. This exposure is very different from long term industry projects where designs not only have to work in isolation, but must also adhere to customer specifications, strict timelines, and limited budgets. In order to bridge the gap, the University of Manitoba introduced industry advisors into the team competing in the Canadian Satellite Design Challenge to design, build, and test an operational triple pico-satellite (T-Sat). The advisors attend internal reviews and provide feedback on many areas including designs and documentation. In addition to aiding students in their performance at the competition, the process also provides motivation for long-term career goals, networking opportunities for students, and a strong foundation on many desirable skills for successful careers as a Professional Engineer. This paper describes the process of integrating advisors and the observed benefits from the experience at the University of Manitoba.