Broadening the appeal of engineering-addressing factors contributing to low appeal and high attrition

• Autores: R. Jain, B. Shanahan, C. Roe
• Localización: The International journal of engineering education, ISSN-e 0949-149X, Vol. 25, no. 3, 2009, págs. 405-418
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • The declining number of graduating engineers necessary for the long-term economic growth and well-being of the US is becoming aserious challenge. We discuss national and international trends towards a decline in engineering enrollment and the consequences offurther decline of engineers to the nation; data on a minority of women and persons with disabilities participating in the profession areexamined in a historical context and the reasons for their relatively low numbers are evaluated, as are issues and causes related tostudent retention and low appeal of engineering in American universities. Input from key engineering educators (engineering schooldeans) has been analyzed and presented to understand the factors contributing to the low appeal of engineering among the generalpublic and high attrition among students. A generalized preference index model is developed to address these two crucial issues;example use of preference indices is also presented. Based upon research and data, strategies are proposed that can be implemented toimprove recruitment and retention.