Building Up the Next Generation of Engineers at HCC

In our increasingly technology-centric world, the demand for experienced and highly skilled engineers continues to grow. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, engineering occupations are projected to increase over the next decade, resulting in 91,300 new engineering jobs. With a median annual wage of $79,840 as of May 2021, the field of engineering offers an exciting opportunity for stability and growth.

Howard Community College (HCC)’s engineering program offers a combination of knowledge and experience that will prepare the next generation of engineers to join this in-demand workforce. HCC’s students learn from experienced faculty with real-world industry experience with several opportunities to address real-world challenges through hands-on projects. HCC’s program is also affordable and accessible, making a career in engineering within reach for students of all backgrounds.

HCC’s program offers engineering students –

• A strong foundation in several engineering disciplines, including aerospace, biological, electrical, chemical, civil, computer, environmental, industrial, manufacturing, materials and mechanical.
• Distinctive learning & enrichment opportunities, including weekly Engineering Seminars, campus clubs including the Engineering Club, Robot Football, and HCC chapters of the Society of Women Engineers, and of the National Society of Black Engineers.
• Industry partnerships and professional development resources, including partnerships with BGE, In-Depth Engineering, VME, Prime Manufacturing Technologies, and more
• Cutting edge facilities in HCC’s Science, Engineering, and Technology Building, featuring an engineering build room, a machine shop, labs for 3D printing and digital fabrication, and much more.
• Seamless transfer to a four-year engineering program in Maryland as part of a statewide articulation agreement developed by two- and four-year college and universities in Maryland including the possibility of transfer to most types of engineering science programs.

“The engineering program has given me the opportunity to get hands-on-experience with high-end 3D printers and other hardware that many may not have the chance to work with otherwise,” said Engineering student Sean Shriner. “All of the professors are very knowledgeable and many of the projects that you get a chance to work on prepare you for engineering courses at a four-year university.”

Across the board, HCC’s engineering students are incredibly innovative, creative, and resilient. Even the COVID-19 pandemic couldn’t stop them from designing, building, testing, and eventually racing their own cars for HCC’s Dragon Formula Racing Program launched in 2020. Students in the program built a formula-style racing vehicle from scratch and competed against four-year colleges from around the country and the rest of the world, in SAE International’s collegiate design competition, Formula SAE.

HCC also competed in the 2022 Robotic Football National Championship, an event organized by the Collegiate Robot Football Conference. In their first year of competition, competing against universities including Notre Dame, Valparaiso, and the US Naval Academy, HCC Engineering’s team earned 3rd place in the “Fumble Drill” and 7th place overall. HCC is the only two-year institution participating in this design/build competition. The team is currently preparing to travel to the 2023 competition.

Students also have an opportunity to showcase their work at an annual Engineering Night event. During this exciting evening, students are joined by industry leaders, professors, and program donors for a celebration of the students’ engineering accomplishments.

Bob Hogue, CEO of In-Depth Engineering and an avid supporter of Engineering Night, is always impressed by the ingenious student projects on display.

“I look forward to this event every year and I love the focus on what it takes to be an engineer,” said Hogue. “I am so impressed. Students get to show off the new and innovative appliances they’ve developed to help solve problems that are supportive for our community and our people.”

Hogue sees HCC’s program as a great launching pad for students interested in pursuing a career in engineering.

“The work that I've seen from students here is commensurate with things that I've seen at four-year universities,” said Hogue. “The program that's in place here is spectacular and a good start for anyone that's interested in going into engineering.”

Interested in learning more about HCC’s Engineering Program? Visit howardcc.edu/engineering to learn more and apply today!