Qualitative Research on Science and Engineering Major Graduate School Students’Motivation for Pursuing Graduate Degrees, Experiences in Research, and Career Goal

The importance of securing top talent in the science and engineering fields, particularly those with master's and doctoral degrees, is growing nationwide. However, there has been relatively little academic research on why these individuals choose to pursue graduate education and what they expect from their experience in general graduate schools, compared to other higher education topics. This study aims to explore the motivations for entering graduate school, the research experiences of science and engineering students in general graduate schools, and the various challenges and positive experiences they encounter during their research participation. It also examines the career paths they are considering after obtaining their degrees. To achieve these objectives, focus group interviews were conducted with 14 master's and doctoral students in the science and engineering fields, selected based on university location and school type. These interviews provided insights into the motivations and expectations of these graduate students, their concerns about entering graduate school, their research experiences, and their career plans post-graduation. The findings were organized using qualitative research methods. Finally, based on the study's results, we propose measures to encourage more students to pursue graduate education in science and engineering and to support them in focusing on their research during their studies.