Professional identity: a framework for research in engineering education

The development of a student’s professional identity as an engineer is key to understanding education from the student’s perspective, and framing future engineering education research. This paper investigates the idea of a professional engineering identity and puts forward the idea that a student’s engineering education should be focused on them developing an identity as a professional engineer. This identity not only includes the knowledge and skills usually developed in engineering programs, but attitudes and self beliefs toward being able to practice as an engineer. Understanding what influences the development of this identity, both positively and negatively, point to future research in engineering education.