HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS’ VIEWS ON ENGINEERS CANADA’S DEFINITION OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING WORK

• Published in: Proceedings of the Canadian Engineering Education Association (CEEA) 2017-01
• Main Authors: Compeau, Scott, Strong, David
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2371-5243; 2371-5243
• DOI: 10.24908/pceea.v0i0.6467

The breadth of the engineering profession is illustrated by Engineers Canada’s (EC) recognition of over 120 accredited engineering programs across the country. Arguably, the work of a professional engineer spans over an even larger scope. However, synthesizing a description of engineering work that encompasses all aspects of the profession is extremely difficult. Applicants to engineering programs in Canadian universities require high standing in specific course pre-requisites. In order to make an informed decision with regard to engineering as a possible career path, it is critical that students clearly understand the engineering profession. The purpose of this paper is to describe how Grade 9/10 students’ perceptions of engineering work compares to EC’s description, based on the outcomes of a research study involving a questionnaire and interviews. The findings show that the emerging categories from these students’ descriptions of engineering work that aligns with EC’s description, involves design (42.3%) and helping people or the environment (16.5%).