Engineering students’ agency beliefs and career goals to engage in sustainable development: differences between first-year students and seniors

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to explore the differences in first-year and senior engineering students’ engineering agency beliefs and career goals related to sustainable development. The authors also sought to understand how topics related to sustainable development in engineering courses affect senior engineering students’ goals to address these issues in their careers. This work provides evidence of how students’ agency beliefs may be shaped by higher education, which is essential to workforce development. Design/methodology/approach Findings stem from two national surveys of engineering first-year (Sustainability and Gender in Engineering, n = 7,709) and senior students (Student Survey about Career Goals, College Experiences, n = 4,605). The authors compared both groups using pairwise testing by class standing. Findings The results indicate that undergraduate studies tend to reinforce students’ engineering agency beliefs to improve their quality of life and preserve the environment. Significantly more senior students selected career goals to address environmental issues compared to first-year students. In general, students undervalue their roles as engineers in addressing issues related to social inequities. Those topics are rarely addressed in engineering courses. Findings from this work suggest discussing sustainability in courses positively impact setting career goals to address such challenges. Research limitations/implications The study compares results from two distinct surveys, conveyed at different periods. Nonetheless, the sample size and national spread of respondents across US colleges and universities are robust to offer relevant insights on sustainable development in engineering education. Practical implications Adapting engineering curriculum by ensuring that engineering students are prepared to confront global problems related to sustainable development in their careers will have a positive societal impact. Social implications This study highlights shortcomings of engineering education in promoting social and economic sustainability as related to the engineering field. Educational programs would benefit from emphasizing the interconnectedness of environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainable development. This approach could increase diversity in engineering education and the industry, and by ripple effect, benefit the communities and local governance. Originality/value This work is a first step toward understanding how undergraduate experiences impact students’ engineering agency beliefs and career goals related to sustainability. It explores potential factors that could increase students’ engineering agency and goals to make a change through engineering.

Determinants of accounting students' decision to pursue career as ACCA-certified accountants: a case study of Omani students

“…A new generation of professional accountants with a wide range of knowledge, skills and talents that differ dramatically from those of previous decades is unavoidably needed for the accounting profession of today (Praulins et al ., 2022). According to many surveys, first-year students around the world have trouble choosing a career path (France et al ., 2022). Each accounting degree has the option to choose which professional path to take based on the various occupations that it may lead to.…”

Examining engineering design students’ perceptions of agency for sustainability in a problem- and project-based learning (PBL) context—a Q methodology study

“…This is the process through which students develop cognitive, affective, and motivational values relating to sustainability, including self-efficacy, awareness, interests, motivations, attitudes, and emotions. Cognitively, students may develop self-efficacy, referring to the extent to which they believe in their capacity to achieve higher goals through participation in complex learning tasks for sustainability (France et al, 2022;Mercer, 2012). It also indicates their perceptions on the development of awareness and knowledge for sustainability (Sidiropoulos, 2022), their perseverance when confronted with difficulties (Zimmerman & Cleary, 2006), and their confidence in overcoming these challenges.…”

Manajemen Karir dan Pengembangan Diri Mahasiswa: Perbandingan Strategi pada Jalur Masuk Perguruan Tinggi

“…Higher education shapes students' career and personal development (France et al, 2022). Career management and personal development are critical to students' professional success and development strategies (Rögele et al, 2022).…”