| This study investigates the post-graduation attrition of engineering students. Attrition issues with undergraduate engineering students are concerning but well-documented. However, little research has explored post-graduation attrition. The demand for engineers in the workforce and anecdotal evidence of post-graduation attrition motivated this research. Two mixed model surveys administered over the course of one year classified students based on their post-graduation plans and yielded evidence that post-graduation attrition might be a problem among CU mechanical engineering students. The results indicate five factors that may influence post-graduation attrition: (1) feeling prepared to pursue an engineering career, (2) internship experiences, (3) Senior Design course experiences, (4) satisfaction with the quality of instruction in the engineering program, and (5) career values related to financial rewards and co-workers. The implementation of an internship program, the continued implementation of improved pedagogy, and increased monitoring of the Senior Design course are suggested as methods to reduce post-graduation attrition. |
