Factors that influence first‐career choice of undergraduate engineers in software services companies

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to identify how undergraduate engineering students differ in their perception about software services companies in India based on variables like gender, locations of the college and branches of engineering. Design/methodology/approach -Data obtained from 560 undergraduate engineering students who had the opportunity to have multiple job offers from four major Indian software services companies through campus recruitment drives were analyzed. Chi-square test, cross tabulation and multi-nominal regressions were performed to test hypotheses. Findings -Decisions of engineering students with respect to their first-career choice are mostly influenced by intrinsic reasons than extrinsic or interpersonal reasons. While male students are greatly influenced by intrinsic reasons, female students are more influenced by extrinsic reasons. Students belonging to different locations and different branches of engineering have varying reasons for accepting a job offer. Research limitations/implications -Findings of this paper cannot be generalized as it involves students from only three engineering colleges in south India. A survey involving students from different strata across India would enable scholars to capture more insight into the perceptions of engineering students towards the Indian software services industry. Practical implications -Knowledge about the perceptions of engineering graduates towards software services companies in India based on gender, location of the college and the branch of engineering to which students belong, can help human resource managers, entrepreneurs in software services industry and career counselors to strategize human resource practices. Originality/value -Many studies have been conducted to identify what employers expect from engineering graduates whereas there is a dearth of articles that investigate perceptions of engineering students with respect to their first-career choice. This study conducts this bottom-up approach wherein different expectations of prospective employees are analysed.

Factors influencing career choice: the Romanian business and administration students’ experience

“…Agricultural economics students' career choice (McGraw, K., 2012) across industries is influenced by previous professional experience, sector preference, career goals, skills and experience and job attributes (combination of intrinsic factors related to job responsibility and career advancement opportunities and extrinsic factors related to salaries). Indian engineering students first career choice (Gokuladas, 2010) is mostly influenced by intrinsic factors (in particular, training, professional development and career opportunities in engineering available within company, working conditions), while extrinsic factors (such as company brand, job security and remuneration) were less relevant; students from rural area are more influenced by extrinsic and interpersonal factors as compared to urban students for whom intrinsic factors are clearly prevailing. Differences were observed across study fields in engineering: computer sciences and IT branch students were more influenced by intrinsic or extrinsic factors when choosing a career in ICT field, unlike non computer science and IT students for whom an ICT career choice is rather dependent on interpersonal factors (Gokuladas, 2010).…”

“…Career choice implies students' or recent graduates' decision of selecting the occupation and professional field which fit best to their individual needs (Gokuladas, V.K., 2010). Apart of the competencies and skills self-assessment and the evaluation of career alternatives, the decision made refers to the field of activity and the employer profile to work for and is dependent to the individual preferences over alternative career options.…”

“…The intrinsic factors include specific job related factors, such as authority and power related to the job (Bai, 1998;Aycan et Fikret-Pasa, 2003), working conditions and professional and career advancement opportunities (Aycan et Fikret-Pasa, 2003, Gokuladas 2010, creativity and professional challenges incurred (Feton S et al, 1994), interest for a specific job, content of the work and satisfaction (Carpenter et Foster, 1977;Beyon et al, 1998), training and professional development opportunities (Gokuladas, V.K., 2010). Interpersonal factors may include parental, family, relatives and/or friends and/or professors' influence (Carpenter et Foster, 1977;Beyon et al, 1998, Gokuladas, 2010, early exposure to profession (Willis, S.C., 2009). Willis et al (2009) concluded that career choice decision is the result of a combination of factors and values located in personal experience.…”

“…Willis et al (2009) regrouped these factors and values under 4 categories: personal identity (gender, ethnicity), social (family, professional status, career myths), instrumental (financial security, job security, flexibility, autonomy, vocational training) and personal experience related factors. Students' ranking of factors influencing their career choice may differ across cultures (Ng et al, 1998), field of studies and industry (Gokuladas, V.K., 2010). Agricultural economics students' career choice (McGraw, K., 2012) across industries is influenced by previous professional experience, sector preference, career goals, skills and experience and job attributes (combination of intrinsic factors related to job responsibility and career advancement opportunities and extrinsic factors related to salaries).…”

Perceptions and Misconceptions of Industrial Engineering from First-year Engineering Students

“…A few studies focus on a specific form of engineering. 36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43 However, the questions asked about these fields remain generic and do not discuss specific job functions.…”