Product category:
Engineering Education, Resources and Standards
News Release from: CRAC: The Career Development Organisation
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 23 March 2007
Research covers wants of budding
engineers
A survey has been conducted to find out if significant numbers of engineering students are being lured away into the city for lucrative financial careers.
A major new piece of research into what engineering students want from their future employers and their careers was revealed in National Science and Engineering Week The survey of UK engineering undergraduates, by CRAC: the Career Development Organisation, and TMP Worldwide, was presented at the Institution of Engineering and Technology in Savoy Place
At a time when 80% of UK engineering employers anticipate that they will not fill graduate places, the survey was conducted to find out if significant numbers of engineering students are being lured away into the city for lucrative financial careers.
The survey data found that around 90% of engineering students do aspire to work in the sector when they begin their degree, but many seem to turn away from pursuing a career in engineering during their final year.
The research also revealed some significant differences in the motivation for career choices between the male and female students and what they want from their careers.
TMP's planning director, Neil Harrison said: "The survey has confirmed that men are motivated by big, high-profile projects and are attracted by high salaries, whilst the women are more inspired by how those projects will benefit the wider community and environment".
Neil Harrison also comments that the survey has revealed just how recruitment-savvy engineering undergraduates are: "There is clearly heavy competition from recruiters for these engineering students and they know it".
"The major business and financial services organisations manage to double their profile in the hearts and minds of students during their time at university, whilst the profile of some engineering firms actually falls in the critical final year".
The survey has clear implications both for the campaign messages of engineering employers and also the timing, as the students are delaying their job applications until much later than expected.
"The engineering community and its employers are missing out here" suggested CRAC's Development Director, Robin Mellors-Bourne.
"Worryingly, only 15% of the students felt that the benefits of an engineering degree were effectively communicated at school".
"The students would also benefit from better work experience schemes to maintain their interest and belief in an engineering career".
Differences in the attitudes of male and female students were revealed in several interesting areas, as well as between different engineering sectors.
Jan Stapleton, Manager, Education 5-19, at the IET said: "It is vitally important that school pupils are made aware of the exciting opportunities offered by a career in the engineering profession".
"The influence of role models and the availability of relevant work experience play a significant role in achieving this".
Robin Mellors-Bourne concluded: "Overall, the survey suggests that if the UK wants to remain competitive in a skills-rich industry like engineering, we need to inspire our students and then harness their talents in a more assertive and joined-up way".
• CRAC: The Career Development Organisation: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Engineeringtalk email newsletter
• Engineeringtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
