‘I think it's probably one of the most important skills we could ever know’: insights from early-career engineers on the preparedness of undergraduate degrees for the aerospace industry

Abstract

ABSTRACT Engineering education has evolved significantly in recent years, however, engineering graduates continue to encounter challenges during their transition to the workplace. There is a need to identify graduates’ needs and gather their input regarding engineering education programs to enhance the preparation of engineering students for the workplace. This study examined how early-career engineers perceive their undergraduate engineering programs in preparing them for the workplace. Additionally, it investigated what domains the engineers identify for improvement in engineering programs. In this multiple-case study, we interviewed 26 early-career engineers from seven organisations in the Aerospace and Defense industry across the U.S. We employed open coding to examine their responses and derive common themes. The findings showed that early-career engineers view technical knowledge and skills, persistence, and personal development instilled through their programs as valuable takeaways. However, they also highlighted the need for teaching professional skills, fostering collaboration between different engineering departments, promoting lifelong learning, and enhancing collaboration between academia and industry. The findings highlight areas in which engineering education and organisations can collaborate to better prepare students for the workplace.