GEL supplements MIT’s technical education with the leadership skills that prepare young engineers for productive and effective careers at engineering companies. In GEL1, students complete two short courses in which they learn leadership frameworks and models and practice these skills through simulations and other assignments.
In weekly Engineering Leadership Labs, students gain experience both being a team member and a team leader, working on hands-on activities that introduce industry contexts. These experiences, combined with reflection opportunities like the Personal Leadership Development Plan and the Engineering Practice Requirement, enable students to improve and grow.
GEL has partnered with industry members and others to offer mentors to GEL students. These mentors are available to advise and assist students in their development as engineering leaders, both in the program and on outside projects (optional for interested students).
*Primary subject numbers are shown for each course. Many of GEL's courses are also cross-listed in other School of Engineering Departments, as is shown within the MIT course catalog listing for each course.
| REQUIREMENTS FOR A GEL1 CERTIFICATE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Requirement | Description | Class Time | Units/Credit |
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6.9110 Engineering Leadership Lab (ELL)
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Exposes students to engineering leadership frameworks and models in an interactive, experiential, team-based environment. Activities include: design-build projects, role-plays, simulations, and performance assessment by/of other students. (Both semesters) | 2 hours per week | 6 units total (3 per semester) |
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Introduces models, theories, and methods of engineering leadership in the contexts of conceiving, designing, implementing and operating products and systems. Discusses the appropriate times and reasons to use particular models to deliver engineering success. (Both semesters)
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1 1/2 hours per week | 6 units (3 per semester) | |
| All GELs must reflect on an experience working on a project team in an engineering context. Students identify a project they are already involved in to meet the criteria. Through a structured reflection assignment, students practice writing a project post-mortem. | Component of 6.912 (either Fall or Spring term) | ||
| This assignment is designed to increase familiarity with the Capabilities of Effective Engineering Leaders and encourage reflection regarding personal and professional development. Students rate their competency level for each capability on an ongoing basis. | Component of 6.912 (both Fall and Spring terms) | ||
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The D&ILR requirement educates future engineering leaders in an end-to-end product or system design process that includes design validation and testing. Students select any one from among four approved subjects to complete this requirment: 6.910A+6.910B (taken together in the same semester), EC.797 (same as 2.729), EC. 720 (same as 2.722), EC.725, or 16.810. * Students who have completed First-Year Discovery subject 6.9101 receive incoming credit for 6.910A and can finish the requirement by taking 6.910B (3-units). Please review the D&ILR subject selection guide
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Times and units vary by subject. See details here. | ||
| Mentorship | The GEL Program will host a mid-fall mentoring event where students can meet and be connected with engineers and engineering leaders with industry experience. | Recommended/Optional | |
Goals of the GEL1 year:
- Enable students to become engineering leaders by providing opportunities to develop and practice the Capabilities of Effective Engineering Leaders.
- Prepare students to become productive and effective contributors in industry through multi-disciplinary teamwork on activities.
- Foster the development of students’ self-efficacy through experiential learning.
- Expose students to candid evaluation while challenging them to undertake constructive personal reflection.
- Sharpen students’ communication and presentation skills.