SWE - Winter 2008 - (Page 65)

ENGINEERING WORLD when he says that workplace humor has a lot to do with the work environment, as in getting your work done with a smile instead of a frown. No kidding. He says that humor, particularly joking around about things associated with the job, actually has a positive impact in the workplace. Occasional humor among colleagues, he observes, enhances creativity, department cohesiveness, and overall performance. He came to this conclusion by examining theories on humor and integrating literature from a wide variety of disciplines that touch on the subject. Dr. Trulaske and collaborator Wan Yan, a business doctoral student, analyzed several hundred sources, bringing together literature from numerous disciplines to make the case that humor is serious business. Dr. Trulaske stressed that the international aspect is an important part of the research and said the paper addresses some of the key cultural differences between the United States and such Asian economic powerhouses as China and India. “Humor is difficult in crosscultural situations,” he said. “It’s hard to know what is going to be funny or when to use humor. Some people have suggested that you just avoid it all together; don’t be funny, don’t try to make jokes. We basically reject that and offer some ground rules for understanding when and what kind of humor might be appropriate.” EDUCATION CAREERS Where Are the Most IT Women? Not in Silicon Valley Writing in Computerworld, Todd R. Weiss cites an American Community Survey released by the U.S. Census Bureau, indicating that Silicon Valley might have the greatest concentration of IT workers in the nation but not the most IT women. Instead, you will find them mostly in several large East Coast metropolitan areas. According to the survey, the Washington metro area, which includes Arlington and Alexandria, Va., tops the list with 32.3 percent of the total IT work force. The Detroit area is second at 31.5 percent, followed by Baltimore/ Townsend, Md., at 28.6 percent. Engineering for Non-engineering Students Olin College has begun offering a new Certificate in Engineering Studies that will enable students at Wellesley, Brandeis, and Babson to explore engineering and gain experience for careers or further study. The program is designed to provide students with a fundamental understanding of engineering in a plan of study typically consisting of five courses ranging from introductory to advanced. The program provides a structured way for students at the three institutions to explore an interest in engineering. The certificate program of- Work Is a Laughing Matter You probably don’t think the workplace is the appropriate place for a hearty laugh. Robert J. Trulaske, Sr., Ph.D., University of Missouri-Columbia assistant professor in the College of Business, isn’t joking around, however, GEICO and SWE have teamed up to offer a special discount on car insurance. Special member discount To find out how much you could save, visit geico.com or call 1-800-368-2734 today. Visit geico.com for your FREE, no-obligation rate quote and be sure to select SWE when asked for your affiliation. New customers save an average of $500 when they switch. GEICO offers you 24/7 service, fast, fair claim handling and money-saving discounts! Average savings information based on national GEICO New Policyholder Survey Data through August 2007. Discount amount varies in some states. Some discounts, coverages, payment plans, and features are not available in all states or in all GEICO companies. In New York a premium reduction is available. One group discount applicable per policy. Government Employees Insurance Co. • GEICO General Insurance Co. • GEICO Indemnity Co. • GEICO Casualty Co. These companies are subsidiaries of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. GEICO auto insurance is not available in Mass. GEICO, Washington, DC 20076.© 2007 GEICO SWE WINTER 2008 65 http://www.geico.com http://www.geico.com http://www.geico.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of SWE - Winter 2008

SWE - Winter 2008 Heritage Club President’s Note View from the Executive Suite Editor’s Page Readers’ Forum EWeek 2008 New Faces of Engineering The Leaky Science and Engineering Pipeline Why Do Women Leave the Engineering Work Force? A Greener America = New Growth Fields for Engineers The Off-On Ramp Revolution Recognizing the Historic Contributions of African-Americans Membership Information & Calendar A&B Women in Tune with Technology: SWE 2007 Conference Overview Keynote Address Achievement Award Region, Section, and Collegiate Awards SME Bowl and SWE Anniversaries Engineering World: Point of View: Why I Blog Career Toolbox Book Review SWE Smiles Opportunity Index SWE Scrapbook

SWE - Winter 2008

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