Get the kNACk : A National Academy of Construction Podcast
Having “the knack” is to be proficient in your industry’s ever-changing realities. Moderated by our hosts Jerry, Bill, Kevin, and Sue, Get the kNACk shares the knowledge, insights, and wisdom of NAC members to give you the skills and expertise to master your career.
The Get the kNACk podcast is published by the National Academy of Construction. NAC honors outstanding construction industry leaders and shares their collective experiences and expertise to help the Nation by improving their industry.
Visit our website at: https://www.naocon.org/get-the-knack/.
Get the kNACk : A National Academy of Construction Podcast
Shaping the Future of Engineering Education with Paul Giroux
In this episode, host Jerry Eyink welcomes Paul Giroux, a leading construction historian with decades of experience on mega projects and a professor of engineering practice at the Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering at Purdue University, to discuss the current challenges facing engineering education. Paul explains that engineering programs are facing growing industry complexity and a gradual erosion of credit hours, both of which contribute to a widening skills gap. While increasing credit hours may not be feasible, Paul shares how schools can improve outcomes by taking a holistic approach, embedding communication, leadership, teamwork, ethics, and critical thinking throughout the curriculum. Paul also emphasizes the importance of helping students understand their Body of Knowledge (BOK) journey from an early stage and fostering lifelong learning through the use of case studies, visual tools, and real-world examples. Ultimately, this empowers students to take ownership of their career growth and plan their path to success in the engineering and construction industry.