2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Many chemical engineering students struggle to identify potential career paths within the discipline, which can lead to disengagement and a lack of motivation when faced with a rigorous curriculum. To address this, we developed a sustainable career discovery module integrated into a required second-year course—Material Balances, the first core chemical engineering class. Delivered via Canvas, the module aims to help students explore career opportunities, reflect on their strengths, and begin building a professional development plan.

Our research investigates two key questions:
1. Do career discovery modules support students in creating a career development plan?
2. Does increased awareness of career possibilities enhance student motivation to learn chemical engineering content?

The module consists of eight components: career exploration, resume and career fair preparation, networking strategies, CliftonStrengths assessment coupled with AI interaction, skills grid development, and structured reflections that culminate with a student-developed plan for career development. Students engage with over 20 short alumni video interviews that showcase diverse career trajectories and offer advice to current students. They are asked to view at least five videos and reflect on insights gained, which inform their preparation for internships or co-op opportunities.

Following the CliftonStrengths assessment, students construct a personalized skills grid aligned with industry-valued competencies such as critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and leadership. They then connect these competencies to personal experiences and identify gaps in their resumes. Reflection activities are embedded throughout to encourage deeper engagement and self-awareness.

This work will present the module design, implementation strategy, and preliminary student feedback. The module has potential for longitudinal integration across the curriculum, supporting sustained professional development and career readiness.