Interdisciplinarity, Generic Competencies, and Traits in Engineering Practice from the Perspective of Early-Career Engineers
Saved in:
| Title: | Interdisciplinarity, Generic Competencies, and Traits in Engineering Practice from the Perspective of Early-Career Engineers |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Jette Egelund Holgaard, Anette Kolmos, Dennis Friedrichsen, Henrik Worm Routhe |
| Source: | European Journal of Engineering Education. 2026 51(2):479-495. |
| Availability: | Taylor & Francis. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 17 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, Engineering, Technical Occupations, Interdisciplinary Approach, Entry Workers, Core Competencies, Personality Traits, Individual Characteristics, Minimum Competencies, Job Skills |
| Geographic Terms: | Denmark |
| DOI: | 10.1080/03043797.2025.2566691 |
| ISSN: | 0304-3797 1469-5898 |
| Abstract: | In engineering education, initiatives to establish interdisciplinary learning outcomes increase; however, fewer studies focus on how interdisciplinarity unfolds in engineering practice. This study explores interdisciplinarity in the work of early-career engineers and discusses its potential implications for engineering education, with the research question: How do early-career engineers understand interdisciplinarity, and which competencies do they emphasise in an interdisciplinary work context? Interdisciplinary competencies are a multifaceted concept encompassing the combination of disciplines and expertise, specific and generic competencies, and personal traits. Eight early-career engineers from an international company were interviewed. Their understanding of interdisciplinarity was linked to differences in people, expertise, professional fields, and languages. Different types of generic competencies play a role, with communication and decision-making being particularly important in interdisciplinary collaboration. However, these competencies are often mentioned in combination with personal traits, which this study identifies under three main categories: self- and social awareness, integrity, and action-oriented traits. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1503126 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | In engineering education, initiatives to establish interdisciplinary learning outcomes increase; however, fewer studies focus on how interdisciplinarity unfolds in engineering practice. This study explores interdisciplinarity in the work of early-career engineers and discusses its potential implications for engineering education, with the research question: How do early-career engineers understand interdisciplinarity, and which competencies do they emphasise in an interdisciplinary work context? Interdisciplinary competencies are a multifaceted concept encompassing the combination of disciplines and expertise, specific and generic competencies, and personal traits. Eight early-career engineers from an international company were interviewed. Their understanding of interdisciplinarity was linked to differences in people, expertise, professional fields, and languages. Different types of generic competencies play a role, with communication and decision-making being particularly important in interdisciplinary collaboration. However, these competencies are often mentioned in combination with personal traits, which this study identifies under three main categories: self- and social awareness, integrity, and action-oriented traits. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0304-3797 1469-5898 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/03043797.2025.2566691 |
