WIP: Advisor Shifts in Engineering Doctoral Journeys - Perceptions from International Students

This research WIP paper aims to explore the experiences of international engineering students as they transition between advisors during their doctoral studies. The decision to change advisors is a significant step that requires careful consideration, and it can be particularly complex for international students who must adapt to new cultures, academic systems, and language barriers. Our main objective is to investigate the challenges and opportunities that may arise during these transitions and gain insights into how international engineering students navigate this process. While existing literature focuses on the factors influencing advisor changes, with emphasis on gender dynamics in engineering, there is a lack of research on how international students manage this transition. Through this study, we seek to address this gap and provide valuable insights into the motivations, challenges, and outcomes associated with changing advisors for international engineering students. Our study will consider factors such as compatibility in working styles, communication, research interests, academic guidance, financial considerations, and personal issues, to gain a better understanding of the multifaceted nature of the decision to switch advisors. The research questions guiding our study are as follows: What factors influence international engineering students' decision to change their advisors in a foreign academic environment? What support systems do international engineering students receive when navigating the process of changing their advisor, and how does this support impact their decision-making process? What challenges do international engineering students face when changing advisors, and how do they manage or overcome these challenges? To address these questions, we will utilize the Mentor Role Instrument (MRI) as a framework, with an emphasis on the importance of cultural competencies in fostering successful mentoring relationships. We are currently in the process of collecting data by using surveys and conducting interviews with international engineering doctoral students at a public university. We have identified participants and will conduct in-depth interviews in the summer/fall of 2024. We will analyze the experiences shared by the students to identify common patterns and themes related to changing advisors. This paper is a pilot study on a topic that has great potential for future scholarly investigation but has received little attention in the past. The new knowledge generated from this study will contribute to practical applications for institutions and other stakeholders in engineering education to support the success of international graduate students.