2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

In an era where globalization disrupts job markets and technological advancements rapidly change professional landscapes, engineering students face mounting uncertainties regarding their future employment. This study examines the drivers of employment aspirations in engineering undergraduates, focusing on the impact of satisfaction with university courses. Leveraging data from 3,160 engineering students, it investigates how contentment with specialized coursework influences their eagerness to join the workforce and identifies the conditions that modulate this relationship. The research reveals a clear link: satisfaction with major courses notably propels students' intentions to seek employment. A gratifying curriculum directly strengthens their job-seeking resolve. The study further unveils that this effect is mediated by the perceived quality of educational training; high course satisfaction enhances views of overall educational excellence, which, in turn, elevates professional ambition. Moreover, active participation in the institution's career services intensifies the positive repercussions of course satisfaction on employment aspirations. Such engagement not only bolsters students' contentment with their studies but also magnifies their propensity to engage in careers pertinent to their discipline. In essence, the research underscores the pivotal influence of curriculum satisfaction and academic training quality in molding engineering students' career goals, while spotlighting the amplifying role of career education services. These insights are instrumental for educational institutions dedicated to nurturing engineers ready to navigate the dynamic landscape of the contemporary job market.