학술논문

I Think I Can, I Hope I Can: Professional Efficacy, Hope, and Identity among Undergraduate Engineering Students
Document Type
Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Source
Educational Research: Theory and Practice. 2024 35(1):104-117.
Subject
Self Efficacy
Undergraduate Students
Student Attitudes
Engineering Education
Professional Identity
Goal Orientation
Work Attitudes
Correlation
Psychological Patterns
Comparative Analysis
Academic Degrees
Altruism
Creativity
Student Motivation
Decision Making
Language
English
ISSN
2637-8965
Abstract
This study explored relationships between hope, self-efficacy, and professional identity among a group of undergraduate engineering students at a western institution of higher education in the United States (US) over the span of an academic semester. We conducted a mixed-methods study with undergraduate engineering students to measure aspects of hope, and self-efficacy. Furthermore, we investigated how they perceived their own professional identity in terms of what it means to be an engineer and engage in the profession. Participants reported high levels of hope at mid- and end-of-semester. Those pursuing degrees requiring professional licensure reported higher levels of willpower compared to students pursuing non-licensure degrees. Students experienced increased self-efficacy towards engineering skills and processes over time. Participants' perceptions of engineering professional identity remained consistent over the semester. Their sense of engineering work and goal orientation fell primarily into one of three archetypes: Pragmatic, Creative, and Altruistic.