The Impacts of Economic Decline on Career Decision Making among Early Career Engineers

• In Event: Issues for Students in the Professions: Moving From School to the Workforce

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to determine how early career engineering professionals describe the impact of the recent economic downturn on their career decisions. Using qualitative methods and Social Cognitive Career Theory, we interviewed 30 engineering graduates from the classes of 2007 and 2008. Results show that participants either felt the economy had no impact on their career decisions, that they had been negatively impacted by the economic decline, or that the economy caused them to change their plans but they are happy with their current career path. This study suggests the need to better prepare engineering graduates to adapt in order to succeed in an uncertain economy.

Authors

• Katherine Winters

• Holly Marie Matusovich, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

• Samantha Ruth Brunhaver, Stanford University