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What is your current level of satisfaction with the employees hired in the last 3 years from textile degree programs from any university?
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| Calculation, Testing, Evaluation and/or Design Methods |
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| Decision Making and Analytical Ability |
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| Manufacturing and Economic Factors |
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| Ability to Work in Teams |
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| Computer Proficiency |
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| Time Management |
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| Self-Directed Learning |
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| Written Communication |
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| Problem Solving |
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| Leadership |
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| Interpersonal Skills |
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| Hands-on Textile Experience |
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| Factual Textile Knowledge |
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| Oral Communication |
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| Creative Thinking |
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| Written Communication |
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| Computer Proficiency |
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| Leadership |
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| Interpersonal Skills |
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| Oral Communication |
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| Ability to Work in Teams |
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| Problem-Solving |
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| Creative Thinking |
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| Decision Making and Analytical Ability |
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| Time Management |
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| Self-Directed Learning |
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If university curricula were modified to emphasize non-traditional
skills, time spent teaching traditional skills may need to be
diminished. What trade-offs do you find acceptable in emphasizing
the following skills? Place an X on the appropriate level.
Examples
| No change in relative emphasis for these skills. | Emphasize Skill A significantly more and Skill B significantly less. |
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Your Job Title _________________________________________
Field of Textile Expertise ___________________________________________
Please add any comments you may have:
While it is not a work skill, work ethics is a key to the (one
of the keys) success of individuals in our competitive industry.
The students today do not know how to get to root causes of
problems.
The students today do not know how to apply statistical methods.
I see too much physical testing curriculums and not enough business exposure. The textile industry needs technical excellence with the ability to make good decisions. Also exposure to chemical issues would be good for textile management students.
I see written communications from a number of textile graduates each year. In general they lack the written communication skills that should have been developed in high school. The best idea when poorly communicated will not see commercial success. Computer skills are certainly required today fro almost any professional position. My experience is that general computer skills can be learned, as needed, outside a formal class setting. Time would be better spent developing decision-making and analytical skill.
While I place interpersonal skills on the desirable work skills list, I'm not sure that this can be taught in academia. This varies amongst individuals and may only be developed with maturity.
It was not clear to me what falls into the category of "oral communication". An area that is very important is the development of presentation skills. I did not assume that was part of oral communication. Developing an idea, showing the pros and cons and selling management on the proposal through the development of a sound, concise and clear presentation is what I would like to see more graduates capable of doing.
Textile knowledge is important, but technology changes so rapidly that most must be learned on the job anyway. Understanding the theory and principles is very important since it creates a sound foundation.
We need more graduates who can think "outside the box". This is a competitive industry that must reinvent itself about every 5-10 years.
Though I have only seen employees/co-ops from maybe 5 schools having Textile Programs, I am very disappointed at the overall creative thinking /operation process. Too many seem focused on using a computer to do the work, solve problem without getting there to really understand real life The program seem to need some very serious reviews or to what's needed to conduct research in real life.
We usually employ two textile students from a local university. In almost every case these students come to us without any practical textile experience. Textile schools, I believe, avoid "hands-on" teaching due to risk of injury or liability. These students learn more about textiles by working than in school. Students graduating with practical experience are more valuable to potential employers.
One may have knowledge and not be creative. However, it is quite difficult to be creative without knowledge. The late professor Hauser of the Department of Chemistry at Duke once said, " to understand theory, one must first know some facts"
The new hires have no applied SPC and problem solving skills. Their written communication is not acceptable. Knowledge and application of process improvement skills and how to pass on these skills are lacking.
People skills have become more important in a manufacturing atmosphere.
Being a consultant, I am biased towards the manufacturing and economic factors of running the business. I also think that most of today's students get the computer proficiency whether in school or somewhere else, so I don't know how much it needs to be addressed.
Factual textile knowledge can easily (and quickly) be learned on the job. This is a moving target. I think the university should focus on basic skill development (know how to think and act, basic problem solving and critical thinking, creativity and working on teams, leadership and interpersonal skills). Then, in our dynamic world, they will be prepared to embrace and lead changes. This makes the most valuable employees. Many of our employees will work in several many different businesses over the course of their career (many unrelated to textiles) and perhaps in a number of different functions. That's why I emphasize skill development rather than specific knowledge.
How encouraging even to be asked these questions!
As an industrial designer and material specialist (Not a textile
designer) having worked as a design director for residential and
contract companies, as an independent consultant and now with
a textile company of my own, I have lots of experience hiring
a collaborating with graduates of various textile and related
design programs.
I am happy to fill out your questionnaire, but the only thing
I really care about you don't address at least not very
directly. TALENT! Where is it? Do you have any idea how rare it
is to find a textile designer with any original ideas? Even those
with years of experience. The only place you see it is in the
fashion industry. Why is this? Believe me, there is plenty of
demand/market for it. The state of the interior furnishings textile
industry is downright pathetic.
Is it included within "creative thinking" or "design
method"? If so, there is not enough emphasis on it. I know
it's a difficult subject, but maybe that just means it deserves
a survey of its own, or at least a symposium.
In other design programs it seems more time and attention is devoted
to abstract studies, principles and standards of design. If that's
inaccurate, you couldn't prove it by me.
Thanks for doing this. I look forward to seeing the results. And
benefiting from them!
Industry can teach them detailed hands-on but students need
some exposure so they are comfortable using a hands-on approach.
Computer proficiency is expected.
Analytical, problem solving is needed based on facts.
Ability to work with others including hands-on attitude is important.