Work in progress — What attracts students to the study of engineering? perceptions and motivations

This enquiry was held between 2009 and 2011, of second year engineering students enrolled in architectural, civil and mechanical engineering at Victoria University (VU). The basis for this study was to ascertain student perceptions of engineering profession and their motivation for undertaking the study of engineering. It is a part of a pilot program which, hopefully, with a research grant support will expand to a broader nation-wide program encompassing engineering faculties and disciplines at other Australian Universities to determine socio-economic comparisons and students' perceptions and motivations for studying engineering. Victoria University was selected for this study not only because of its accessibility but also because of its uniqueness among other metropolitan engineering education providers. A high proportions of the student body enrolled in engineering programs at VU comes from a low socio-economic background and with relatively low entrance score. The preliminary study indicated that though there were some disciplinary deviations, students have exhibited positive, if sometimes inaccurate, perceptions of engineering profession and to be highly motivated and hard-nosed in studying engineering.