Understanding The Current Work And Values Of Professional Engineers: Implications For Engineering Education

To better meet the needs of this century's workplace, engineering educators must better understand the current work and values of professional engineers. However, formal research in this area is limited. In this portion of our study we interviewed practicing engineers (n=45), surveyed engineers, engineering managers and individuals with engineering backgrounds (n=280), and conducted a case study of one engineering firm. In order to better understand the epistemic frame of engineering, or what makes an engineer an engineer, this study used a grounded theory approach. This approach used the viewpoint of engineers to uncover implications for engineering education. We gained insights on (1) what engineers see as notable and as exemplifying engineering in their work, ( Specifically, we found that engineers see their work as using specialized knowledge to solve problems in a constantly evolving, local and/or global, business context. Engineers value (1) solving problems for clients, (2) creatively applying their knowledge, and (3) learning new skills and concepts. Engineers also expressed that their work often involves a greater focus on managerial and business processes than the tangible engineering of solutions, and that there is insufficient emphasis on developing new skills. These findings indicate that engineering education should ensure that students work to creatively apply their knowledge to actual clients' problems and develop significant business and communication skills. Engineers also substantiated these implications in responding to what they would have liked to have had as part of their formal undergraduate education.