Program Description
This destination major is so popular, its graduates so successful, that it goes by one word – well, an acronym – but it’s like a word on campus. Referred to simply as SPDI – pronounced “speedy” – this major is one of a kind in New England, combining industrial design, project management and manufacturing engineering technologies. Test your tenacity and challenge your limits as you collaborate with interdisciplinary teams with an eye toward a sustainable world.
First-year,transfer and many undeclared students gravitate to this program for all it encompasses. Imagine Senior Year and Portfolio Night and how you will understand the big picture of manufacturing design’s place in the world, and how you will fit in and contribute to a sustainable 21st century. Take your degree further with focused tracks for general engineering or manufacturing engineering.
By benefitting from dedicated faculty and personalized mentoring, engaging in projects that apply theory to real problems, and celebrating a great return on your investment, you can realize your dreams at Keene State.
Program Options
Assisted by the SPDI faculty’s one-on-one mentorship, each SPDI major is encouraged to seek a combination of Integrated Studies courses or an existing minor that reinforces their career interests in environmental science, sustainability, art/sculpture/graphic design, safety studies, management, architecture, physics/math requisites for advanced degrees in engineering, and computer science.
Students who choose to minor in SPDI will find that it provides a technical and design thinking background for students majoring in other disciplines, offering complementary studies to majors in safety and occupational health applied sciences, architecture, management, computer science, environmental studies, math/physics, and art, among others.
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Outcomes
Assisted by the SPDI faculty’s one-on-one mentorship, each SPDI major is encouraged to seek a combination of Integrated Studies courses or an existing minor that reinforces their career interests in environmental science, sustainability, art/sculpture/graphic design, safety studies, management, architecture, physics/math requisites for advanced degrees in engineering, and computer science.
Students who choose to minor in SPDI will find that it provides a technical and design thinking background for students majoring in other disciplines, offering complementary studies to majors in safety and occupational health applied sciences, architecture, management, computer science, environmental studies, math/physics, and art, among others.
I prefer a hands-on program, and came across SPDI rather quickly. I thought, what a perfect fit. It was that easy.
-Joseph Breckell '13
Career and Other Opportunities
Since the launch of the SPDI major, each senior has been expected to consolidate their SPDI and liberal arts studies into a formal portfolio. Each spring the senior class formally displays their individual portfolios to members of our campus leadership, the SPDI Advisory Council and recent SPDI alumni. As a result of their professional presentations, most graduating seniors have been immediately invited to job interviews and hired for career-entry positions. Virtually all graduates of the program have found meaningful employment, largely based on internships that opened the doors to full-time job offers.
Our graduates enter fields including:
- Product design and development
- Engineering technology
- CADD/CAM technology (including jigs and fixture design)
- Environmental health and safety support
- Quality assurance
- Materials and process research
- Manufacturing support
- CNC operation
- Product installation
- Technical sales
- Design and manufacturing start-ups
