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Interdisciplinarity, Generic Competencies, and Traits in Engineering Practice from the Perspective of Early-Career Engineers

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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
FullText Text:
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  Data: Interdisciplinarity, Generic Competencies, and Traits in Engineering Practice from the Perspective of Early-Career Engineers
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22European+Journal+of+Engineering+Education%22"><i>European Journal of Engineering Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 51(2):479-495.
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  Data: 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
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  Data: 10.1080/03043797.2025.2566691
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  Data: 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.
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      – SubjectFull: Minimum Competencies
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