Career trajectories of young engineers in Brazil

Abstract

Discussions on the shortage of engineers have arisen in many countries. We discuss it by analyzing the career trajectories of young engineers. Applying Optimal Matching Analysis on Brazilian employment official databases, we identified eight trajectories and labor market outcomes. Main results: i) an ascensional career implies a managerial job; ii) the typical engineering career is the third most attractive career; iii) a relevant path of degradation was detected; iv) trajectories are first defined up to three years after the first job, but promotions to managerial positions may occur after eight or ten years. Crises periods affect the attractiveness of a typical engineer's career and, therefore, the demand for engineering courses.