Universities Promote Engineering "Soft Skills"

Universities such as U of Houston, Rice, and Missouri U of Science and Technology are all teaching classes in and coaching their engineering students in soft skills, such as meal etiquette, handshaking and other social skills, and presentation.  Program directors have noted a deficiency in these areas in their students, resulting in a more difficult time landing internships or jobs.  Students, according to the recent story in the Houston Chronicle Archives, tend to rely more on their grades and technical skills, which most employers already presume exist.  http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2011_5067150