If you have an opportunity to take one of those "out in right field" college electives, consider taking a class in journalism. The world of engineering is entering a period where we will be inhabiting a business space where answers tend not to come in yes/no formats, or in pie charts and bar graphs. What will be required are engineers that have a deep understanding of consumers and the dynamics you find in society. Deep understanding comes only through observation, skillful questions, and the ability to insightfully listen.
Organizations will need to get much better at collective observation and interview skills. Asking the correct questions will become key. This could have broad impacts on organizations. Complexity and constant change will produce an era of new and different customer answers. This will require engineers and organizations to constantly reexamine the fundamental differences between the businesses they thought they were in, and the business they actually are in.
Observation and interview training and abilities will be an increasingly critical skill set to many engineers. We're dealing with human issues and not just the physical stuff. Understanding people, social interaction, the spoke/unspoken rules and rituals of modern life, trust - - engineers need a better knowledge base regarding the contradictions and complexities of the human experience.
A good staring point is training on asking questions and listening to the answers - just like a world class reporter.
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