Characterizing engineering work in a changing world: Synthesis of a typology for engineering students' occupational outcomes

Background Engineering education research frequently examines students' persistence (or intentions to persist) into engineering careers from school. However, the variety of engineering-related occupations has increased substantially in recent years, challenging researchers' abilities discern what constitutes engineering. Purpose This article investigates question: How can researchers categorize occupational outcomes terms relatedness a manner that enables consistency across future studies and is informed by enduring conceptions work? We develop an typology response this question. Scope/Method employed systematic literature reviews substantiate typology. In total, we reviewed 259 sources published between 1966 2016. Review 1 examined discussing or debating presence unifying attributes practice. 2 common job functions constituting criteria identified 1. 3 specific work activities associated with 2. Finally, 4 profile data year 2017 on 1100 titles identify contemporary nonengineering-titled jobs involving similar found 3. Conclusions practitioners' possession design responsibility—their responsibility for products' efficacy safety through governance designs (new existing)—has served as attribute over time. find 21st century given rise interrelated roles encompassing surrounding conventional propose categorizes relation The offers responsibility-based framing helps educators illustrate key distinctions among occupations.