The purpose of this study was to determine characteristic learning patterns of technical education alumni at a mid-western engineering school (institute of technology). The research also included efforts to track cognitive and career development of the engineers in the study. The research sample consisted of five graduating classes selected at five year intervals from 1955-1975 and matched with a comparative sample from a nearby School of Applied Social Science. The primary measurement instrument used was the Learning Style Inventory (LSI) developed by Kolb in 1976 plus repeated presentations of a characteristic skills list matched with the LSI to measure career and education development. The group was sampled via a questionnaire. The primary unit of analysis involved was a two way ANOVA. Results suggested a disparity between the immediate interests of the students and long term career needs. Work study programs and a broader based education for the technical professional were recommended. It was determined that there is a general need on the part of both the educating institution and the student to more completely understand the limitations of a technical education within the context of a technical career. (Learning style and process models and graphs of study data are appended.) (LRA)