2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

The career landscape for engineering Ph.D. graduates is changing rapidly, creating new challenges for how students identify and prepare for career pathways. This paper evaluates the impact of a discernment course designed to support informed decision-making among engineering Ph.D. students at a medium sized, Midwestern private institution. The course featured panels with alumni who shared experiences in industry, academia, and national laboratories, offering students concrete examples of diverse career trajectories. Additionally, the course offers career preparation activities such as resume / CV preparation, job search tools, networking, and practice interviews.

Researchers for this project analyzed pre- and post-course survey data from three cohorts of participants (N=120). Survey items captured students’ career intentions (and how they have shifted throughout the course), satisfaction with academic progress, advisor and financial support, as well as open-ended reflections on career interests and concerns.

Results indicate that the career panels enhanced students' confidence in their intended career trajectories, leading to a significant increase in interest in industry positions and a decline in interest in academic careers. Qualitative responses highlighted financial stability, work-life balance, and opportunities for applied impact as key drivers of interest in industry, while students who remained drawn to academia cited research freedom and mentoring as primary motivations. For international students, immigration and visa status emerged as major concerns impacting career planning. Overall, students highly valued the course components focused on career exploration and professional development.

Our findings demonstrate that structured career discernment interventions support students in identifying their career interests and provide graduate students with tools to make more intentional and informed career decisions.