2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

This Work-in-Progress paper extends prior research exploring civil engineering firm executives’ expectations for new graduate hires by examining how those expectations align with entry-level job descriptions from Mid-Atlantic consulting engineering firms. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the leadership, communication, and professional skills emphasized by executives are accurately reflected in the language used to recruit emerging engineers.

Job postings were collected from a targeted set of consulting firms operating in the same Mid-Atlantic region represented in the earlier interviews. A qualitative content analysis was conducted using a coding framework informed by the ASCE Civil Engineering Body of Knowledge, ABET student outcomes, and NACE career readiness competencies. Thematic results from job descriptions are being compared with prior interview data to identify consistencies, gaps, and emerging trends related to leadership readiness and professional competencies.

Preliminary analysis suggests that while job descriptions frequently emphasize technical qualifications and design software proficiency, leadership and communication skills remain largely implicit or secondary. This gap between stated job requirements and industry expectations underscores the need for greater integration of leadership development within civil engineering curricula and clearer articulation of professional competencies in recruitment materials.

The findings from this regional comparison will contribute to a broader understanding of how civil engineering programs and employers can work collaboratively to prepare graduates for leadership and professional success. Future phases of this research will include perspectives from recent graduates to further triangulate and refine the framework for workforce readiness.