A selected literature review of engineering identity

Engineering identity can involve many constructs, e.g., sense of belonging to the engineering profession, interest in engineering, recognition as an engineer, and competence for performing engineering tasks). For undergraduate students, an engineering identity can impact their engagement, motivation, persistence (retention), and overall success. It can also influence their career paths. Although the notion of an engineering identity appears straightforward, its measurement is far from simple, and various frameworks and concepts have been used to examine engineering identity. This paper offers a selected review of the existing literature on engineering identity with the purpose of providing researchers and educators insights into how it is measured or examined. Specifically, the review encompasses frameworks, models, and concepts related to engineering identity and are categorized into those with associated quantitative measures (e.g., using self-reported surveys) and those examined through more qualitative methods (e.g., interviews, autoethnography, journey maps, identity circles, etc.). It is hoped that this review will help in designing future studies or creating resources to support students in cultivating an engineering identity.