skip to content

"Being in GEL has improved my ability to recognize my proficiencies and deficiencies. Being put in charge of teams in time pressure situations really opened my eyes to how I act as a leader and what areas I have to improve upon."

— Max Brand, GEL '11

This diagram shows how you may progress through GEL.

Attaining Gordon Engineering Leader Year One status requires the successful completion of:

  • A prerequisite of engineering practice experience, which could be fulfilled through one of the following two methods:

    • —UPOP full-year program; Fall and Spring sessions, IAP session, Summer industry internship, Fall reflection events

    — Experience on an engineering project in an industrial or academic setting. (Note: Students fulfilling the prerequisite this way may additionally be asked to complete one or more UPOP activities or assignments, such as Spring sessions, Summer industry internship, Summer internship journal, Fall reflection events, etc.)

  • Two Engineering Leadership Program 6 or 9 unit "short subjects"

    • - Two short subjects designed and taught by the ELP:

    1) Engineering Innovation and Design (ESD.051/6.902) (Note: This short subject is offered in the Spring 2013 semester.)

    2) Engineering Leadership (ESD.054), "Delivering Engineering Success" (Note: ESD.054 meets 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, January 28 – February 1. ESD.054 is a required short subject for GEL1s.)

  • Two semesters of the weekly 3-unit ESD.05 Engineering Leadership Lab (Note: In Spring 2013, ESD.05 has three sections on Fridays in 32-144: 9 am - 11 am, 1 - 3 pm, or 3 - 5 pm. GELs are required to attend ONE ELL per week, with their designated team in their designated section)

    • — The labs include hands-on activities, simulations, team member practice, leadership practice, and reflective sessions

    — The two semesters must be taken in consecutive Fall/Spring semesters in the year you entered the program

  • Engineering Practice Requirement (1 + 3 including 'e')

    • — Participation in at least one realistic scale project experience with an engineering component, which, taken together with other undergraduate experiences will fulfill three of the six requirements that students work:

    a) As an established leader of a team

    b) With peers with other disciplinary backgrounds and skills (e.g., other engineering disciplines, business, law, etc.)

    c) With colleagues from diverse backgrounds (e.g., not from research intensive universities)

    d) On a real industrial deliverable

    e) On a deliverable that is produced on schedule, to specification and to cost [mandatory]

    f) With international components and perspectives

  • A Personal Leadership Development Plan (PLDP) and submission of a fulfillment document

    • 1) The personal leadership development plan is a personalized guide to developing the Capabilities of Effective Engineering Leaders, a list created with the input of industry leaders, alumni, faculty, staff and students

    2) Students assess themselves and create an individualized plan to develop these capabilities

    3) At the end of the program students submit a document describing how their plan was fulfilled, and their capabilities developed, and reflections on their engineering leadership development

  • Current enrollment in a School of Engineering degree program, or an alternative may be available by petition
  • In addition, there is a strong expectation that GELs will remain involved in the program for five years past graduation as mentors and internship sponsors, or in other capacities.
    • This diagram shows how you may progress through GEL.

    back to top