Convergence in school-to-work transition of engineering students: Korean evidence

Abstract

The convergence of science technology and humanities & social sciences is becoming an irreversible general trend. In addition, it has been suggested that fostering convergence human resources equipped with balanced awareness and knowledge about business administration or other majors as a type of human resources in science technology is needed for the future. Using career-course matched data, this study analyzed the impact of the proportion of taking major subject classes in humanities & social sciences, including academic performance with which measures the degree of convergence of engineering education on getting a job, targeting college of engineering graduates from 2008 to 2012. The results showed that the higher the ratio of classes in business administration or economics as well as academic performance such as the total GPA and study abroad experiences, the more positive the effect on getting a job. This result reflects the reality that companies that value professional engineers are beginning to prefer convergence human resources equipped with various types of knowledge in humanities & social sciences together with a business-oriented mindset in this complicated and rapidly changing modern society. Accordingly, colleges should be able to provide education that connects engineering or technology and humanities or social sciences in a way that engages students' interest and immersion in line with the demand in the labor market. Fostering convergence human resources based on this idea will not only increase productivity in the labor market but also make a great contribution to the development of colleges. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ee.30.1.14306