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A Review of Career Development Theories and Their Applications in Engineering

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Conference

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Portland, Oregon

Publication Date

June 23, 2024

Start Date

June 23, 2024

End Date

July 12, 2024

Conference Session

Student Division Technical Session 2: Career Development and Employability

Tagged Division

Student Division (STDT)

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/46484

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Paper Authors

biography

Mandana Ashouripashaki The Ohio State University

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Mandana Ashouripashaki is a PhD student in the Department of Engineering Education at
The Ohio State University and the Associate Director of Licensing and Business Development at The Ohio State University's Innovation and Commercialization Office.
Mandana holds a BSc in Chemical Engineering from The University of Tehran and dual MSc degrees in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering and Chemical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin.

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biography

Krista M Kecskemety The Ohio State University Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0003-1192-4172

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Krista Kecskemety is an Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Engineering Education at The Ohio State University and the Director of the Fundamentals of Engineering for Honors Program. Krista received her B.S. in Aerospace Engineering at The Ohio State University in 2006 and received her M.S. from Ohio State in 2007. In 2012, Krista completed her Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering at Ohio State. Her engineering education research interests include investigating first-year engineering student experiences, faculty experiences, and the research to practice cycle within first-year engineering.

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Abstract

Career development theories can be a valuable tool for engineering education research. These theories can help researchers to understand how engineering students make career choices, develop their skills and knowledge, and progress through their careers. With the ever-evolving landscape of engineering disciplines, it is required to identify the theories that underpin career development in this field. This systematic literature review aims to explore and analyze the status of career development theories within engineering careers, explaining their significance and relevance in ongoing engineering education research. Career development theories have been applied to a variety of occupations, including engineering. However, there is limited research on the specific applicability of these theories to engineering careers. Despite the profound impact that engineering careers have on society, there is limited synthesis and analysis of career development theories specific to this field. This review will address this gap by systematically examining the state of the art in career development theories and their application to engineering careers. The methodology will follow established guidelines for systematic reviews, involving precise inclusion and exclusion criteria, comprehensive search strategies across multiple databases, and a thorough data extraction process. Approximately 50 articles will be systematically reviewed to ensure a robust and comprehensive analysis. The criteria for selection will encompass relevance to career development theories in engineering, empirical research focus, publication in peer-reviewed journals or reputable conference proceedings, publication within the last 20 years, and articles available in English. The selected articles will undergo qualitative and thematic analysis, showing key themes associated with career development theories in engineering. The analysis will provide insights into the applicability of these theories within the engineering context, their strengths and limitations, and potential research gaps. The anticipated conclusions incorporate a comprehensive overview of career development theories in engineering, highlighting their current state and relevance. The author will synthesize key theories, identify trends, and pinpoint research gaps. This systematic literature review contributes to the broader field of engineering education research, shedding light on the theoretical underpinnings of career development within the engineering profession. The insights gained will inform educators, institutions, and policymakers on how to better equip engineering students for successful and fulfilling careers in an ever-evolving world.

Ashouripashaki, M., & Kecskemety, K. M. (2024, June), A Review of Career Development Theories and Their Applications in Engineering Paper presented at 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon. https://peer.asee.org/46484

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