2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Career development theories can be a valuable tool for engineering education research. These theories can help researchers to understand how engineering students make career choices, develop their skills and knowledge, and progress through their careers. With the ever-evolving landscape of engineering disciplines, it is required to identify the theories that underpin career development in this field. This systematic literature review aims to explore and analyze the status of career development theories within engineering careers, explaining their significance and relevance in ongoing engineering education research. Career development theories have been applied to a variety of occupations, including engineering. However, there is limited research on the specific applicability of these theories to engineering careers. Despite the profound impact that engineering careers have on society, there is limited synthesis and analysis of career development theories specific to this field. This review will address this gap by systematically examining the state of the art in career development theories and their application to engineering careers.
The methodology will follow established guidelines for systematic reviews, involving precise inclusion and exclusion criteria, comprehensive search strategies across multiple databases, and a thorough data extraction process. Approximately 50 articles will be systematically reviewed to ensure a robust and comprehensive analysis. The criteria for selection will encompass relevance to career development theories in engineering, empirical research focus, publication in peer-reviewed journals or reputable conference proceedings, publication within the last 20 years, and articles available in English. The selected articles will undergo qualitative and thematic analysis, showing key themes associated with career development theories in engineering. The analysis will provide insights into the applicability of these theories within the engineering context, their strengths and limitations, and potential research gaps.
The anticipated conclusions incorporate a comprehensive overview of career development theories in engineering, highlighting their current state and relevance. The author will synthesize key theories, identify trends, and pinpoint research gaps. This systematic literature review contributes to the broader field of engineering education research, shedding light on the theoretical underpinnings of career development within the engineering profession. The insights gained will inform educators, institutions, and policymakers on how to better equip engineering students for successful and fulfilling careers in an ever-evolving world.