3 ways Siemens’ software boosts engineering skills for students 

The engineering landscape is experiencing a significant transformation, in part due to rapid advancements in engineering software. These tools are enhancing educational experiences, helping students develop essential engineering skills and reshaping career trajectories for aspiring engineers. In this blog, we dive into three ways engineering software is changing education and the student experience, focusing on offerings from Siemens Global Academic and Future Workforce Program.

Engineering skill #1: Enhancing hands-on learning by allowing students to create designs, simulate performance and more

Engineering software bridges the gap between theoretical concepts and practical application, providing students with tools to address industry challenges and develop engineering skills within a virtual setting. From UAV designs for student team projects to 3D printing prosthetics, students around the world use Siemens’ software to bring their designs to life and put their skills to the test.

How Siemens supports this:

Software products like Siemens’ Solid Edge: 3D CAD empower students to design, edit and validate mechanical parts and assemblies. Similarly, NX Student Edition offers comprehensive 3D design tools, including wire-frame, surface and solid modeling, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of various design considerations.

Impact on education:

• Improved problem-solving and creative thinking skills: By creating designs for industry challenges, students can enhance their design abilities and apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.
• Exposure to emerging skill sets: NX CAD/CAM offers an additive manufacturing workspace along with AI and sustainability features, allowing students to gain in-demand skills that allow them to stand out in the job market.

Engineering skill #2: Granting students experience with the same tools and workflows used by leading industrial organizations

In today’s job market, proficiency in engineering software is indispensable. Employers prioritize candidates who can take full advantage of the software suites used at their organizations.

At Purdue University, Professor Travis Fuerst uses Teamcenter as part of a freshmen-level course placing design firmly in the context of product data management and product lifecycle management. As a result, students are exposed to engineering skills and enterprise-level change management concepts early in their college career.

How Siemens supports this:

• Free access: Through the Siemens Academic and Future Workforce Program, students can access a suite of engineering software tools at no cost, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder learning.
• Free software training: Students can learn Siemens’ software tools through self-paced tutorials on Siemens Xcelerator Academy.
• Certifications: Siemens offers certifications for tools like NX, validating students’ expertise with Siemens’ software and allowing employers to trust that a candidate is proficient with specific tools.

Career benefits:

• Enhanced employability: Aligning with industry demands, students skilled in Siemens’ engineering software are better positioned in the job market. In addition to software knowledge, Siemens’ tools allow students to gain exposure to industrial workflows and concepts like product lifecycle management.
• Preparation for emerging fields: Skills in areas like AI-enabled design become more accessible through hands-on experience with NX CAD/CAM, which includes these features.

Engineering skill #3: Helping students develop skills in sustainability

Engineering software is instrumental in developing sustainable solutions to global challenges. Through different software tools, students can optimize material usage, predict energy consumption and evaluate the carbon footprint of their projects. Additionally, these digital tools allow students to iterate designs quickly, testing multiple sustainable alternatives and understanding the trade-offs between performance, cost and environmental impact in a risk-free virtual environment.

For example, in Germany, a group with Engineers Without Borders developed an innovative water purification system using Siemens NX.

How Siemens’ software supports this:

• NX CAD/CAM sustainability impact analysis: Allows students to calculate, view and evaluate the impact of design decisions based on a diverse range of environmental impacts.
• Simcenter Amesim: Enables analysis and optimization of designs for energy efficiency and reduced emissions.
• Solid Edge: Supports sustainable material selection and lightweighting in product design, contributing to eco-friendly innovations.

In conclusion, Siemens Digital Industries Software provides students with the necessary engineering skills and tools to excel in their academic pursuits and future careers.

How to get started with Siemens’ software, certifications and credentials:

• Download free software: Access Siemens’ engineering software tools through the Siemens engineering student software page.
• Learn with tutorials: Explore hands-on resources and software tutorials in Siemens Xcelerator Academy, which is free for all students.
• Get certified: Validate your skills with Siemens’ certifications.
• Apply to projects: Utilize Siemens’ engineering software for coursework, competitions and internships.
• Expedite – Skills for Industry: Learn about Siemens’ forthcoming microcredential Expedite – Skills for Industry, which allows early-career engineers to gain an edge with marketable skills like product lifecycle management, sustainable engineering, AI tools and more.

Engineering student software FAQs

Q: How can students access Siemens’ engineering software?

A: Siemens offers free access to its software tools through our engineering student software page. Students can download tools like NX and Simcenter to start learning today.

Q: Why is learning engineering software important for my career?

A: Proficiency in engineering software enhances engineering skills and competitiveness in the job market. Employers value hands-on experience with tools like NX, Simcenter and Teamcenter, which are widely used across industries.

Q: Are there tutorials or certifications available for Siemens’ software?

A: Yes! The Siemens Xcelerator Academy offers students free tutorials, webinars and certification programs to help students develop engineering skills and master Siemens’ tools.

Q: Can Siemens’ software help with interdisciplinary projects?

A: Absolutely. Tools like Teamcenter and Simcenter are designed to facilitate collaboration across engineering disciplines, making them ideal for multidisciplinary projects.