Article ID: CBB321049412

Performing at the Boundaries: Narratives of Early Career Engineering Practice (2021)

unapi

Jesiek, Brent K. (Author)
Natascha T. Buswell (Author)
Swetha Nittala (Author)


Engineering Studies
Volume: 13
Issue: 2
Pages: 86-110


Publication Date: 2021
Edition Details: Issue Theme: The Early Career Years of Engineering: Crossing the Threshold Between Education and Practice
Language: English

The realities of engineering practice remain opaque and constantly evolving, often leaving graduates underprepared for the workplace and employers dissatisfied with new employees. In this study we shed new empirical light on the lived working experiences of early career engineers in large manufacturing firms. We adopt boundary spanning as the primary framework for our research given growing recognition of its importance in the workplace and potential utility for conceptualizing engineering practice. We specifically address the research question: What kinds of boundary spanning do early career engineers experience in their daily work? Our study is based on interviews with 23 early career engineers analyzed using a thematic analysis approach to code for boundary spanning and other related themes. We then wrote third-person constructed narratives to holistically portray the day-to-day work of three participants. Our findings illustrate how engineers frequently encounter many different types of boundaries and perform specific boundary spanning activities. The narratives also illuminate early career progression, including evidence of increasing leadership responsibilities as engineers navigate evolving job role demands and organizational expectations. We conclude with directions for future research, and discuss how our findings speak to ongoing efforts to reimagine professional practice while improving engineering education and professional development.

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Associated with

Article Samantha R. Brunhaver; Brent K. Jesiek; Russell F. Korte; Alexandra Coso Strong (2021) The Early Career Years of Engineering: Crossing the Threshold Between Education and Practice. Engineering Studies (pp. 79-85). unapi

Citation URI
https://data.isiscb.org/isis/citation/CBB321049412/

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Authors & Contributors
Alexandra Coso Strong
Tehya Stockman
Bell, Deanne
Adam Kirn
Ernst van der Wal
Jesiek, Brent K.
Concepts
Engineers
Interviews
Work environment
Technoscience; science and technology studies
Engineering
Education, engineering
Time Periods
21st century
20th century
Places
United States
Germany
Institutions
Khan Academy
Mars Exploration Rover Mission (U.S.)
United States. National Zoological Park
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