Development of a survey for understanding the careers of engineering professionals

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to devise a way to learn about the careers of professionals in positions that undergraduates at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are likely to aspire to enter. A survey was developed to be conducted over the summer of 2015 by MIT sophomores who are on summer internships to collect data in four categories: career path goals, underlying motivations, time use and management, and qualitative advice or suggestions from professionals. The survey has been tested with engineering students and engineering professionals. The results of the survey will inform curriculum development and career advising at MIT for engineering students.