A model partnership between Penn State Harrisburg's construction engineering technology program and the construction industry

The goal of any engineering technology curriculum at a university is to provide the information and skills so that each student can be successful in his/her chosen career path. This is especially critical for a construction engineering technology program because of the high demand of jobs in the construction industry. The construction industry is constantly changing over the years and this means that university programs should also keep up with that change. That is why the program at Penn State Harrisburg is continuously planning, developing, and modifying its curriculum to keep abreast of the changes and advancements being made in the construction profession. The industrial relationships and partnerships that a program develops are critical elements to its success. The programs that foster and strengthen relationships with construction firms and professional associations will not only benefit the program but also those firms and associations. This paper will discuss the connection between Penn State Harrisburg's Structural Design and Construction Engineering Technology program and the construction industry. Various activities such as student organizations, career fairs, guest speakers, internships, capstone projects, field trips to construction sites, and professional meetings have revealed excellent examples of a win-win relationship for both the Construction Engineering Technology program at Penn State Harrisburg and its partners in the construction industry.