2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

The Professional Formation of Engineers (PFE) program at the University of South Florida
(USF) comprises a series of three one-credit courses designed to develop essential competencies in engineering students. This course series emphasizes the application of ethical principles and the impact of ethical engineering practices on both local and global communities, thereby preparing students for successful professional careers. The primary objective of the PFE program is to facilitate the optimal career development of USF Electrical Engineering (EE) students through engaging practical and professional experiences.
Inspired by a comparable business program, the PFE series was developed to address the professional formation of students, initially grounded in the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)’s Career Readiness Competencies. The program was introduced as technical electives with small class sizes and led by a professor of practice. Within the PFE courses, students formulate action plans to enhance their professional networks and achieve specific career objectives.
This paper presents a data-driven analysis of the Professional Formation of Engineers (PFE) program. Using data collected over time, students’ action plans with a focus on ambition levels, completion rates, and their correlation with career-related outcomes such as industry
internships, leadership in class projects, and enrollment in external technical courses are analyzed. The findings reveal that students who set realistic goals with moderate ambition levels tend to achieve higher completion rates, while those with overly ambitious plans often struggle to meet their objectives. Specific trends are identified in the competencies of the NACE, with Teamwork and Professionalism consistently exhibiting high completion rates, while areas like Global Diversity & Awareness and Critical Thinking present opportunities for targeted improvement. The study validation is supported by faculty observations and students’ results such as attainment of internships and undergraduate research positions. Additionally, the PFE program identifies students who may be lagging in their action plans, enabling the Electrical Engineering Department to provide targeted interventions and resources. These measures aim to foster higher levels of ambition and task completion, ultimately supporting students in their professional development.