Professional Identity Of Female Engineering Graduates: An Exploration Of Identity Status Through Life History Research

Authors

Natascha VAN HATTUM-JANSSEN, Saxion University of Applied Sciences, the NetherlandsFollow
Maaike D. ENDEDIJK, University of Twente, the NetherlandsFollow

Document Type

Conference Paper

Abstract

The number of students entering engineering programmes is too low to meet the need for engineering graduates. Still, many leave for jobs outside the technical sector right after graduation. Professional identity is a concept that helps to explain why they stay in or leave the technical sector (Cech 2014). It is the result of the process of professional socialisation. This study uses life history research to understand the professional socialisation of engineering graduates from kindergarten age until a few years after graduation. An analysis of the life experiences of male and female engineering graduates shows differences in how they describe moments of choice, reflecting different professional identity statuses of male and female graduates.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.21427/MGSH-P003

Recommended Citation

Van Hattum-Janssen, N., & Endedijk, M. D. (2023). Professional Identity Of Female Engineering Graduates: An Exploration Of Identity Status Through Life History Research. European Society for Engineering Education (SEFI). DOI: 10.21427/MGSH-P003

Creative Commons License

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