Analyzing the Role of Soft Skills to Influence Engineering Students' Career Self-Efficacy and Satisfaction

Abstract

Today's engineering industry places a strong emphasis on the development of soft skills in the ever-evolving professional landscape. This study delves into the intricate connection between the acquisition of soft skills by engineering students, their confidence in their ability to succeed in their careers, and their overall satisfaction with their chosen career paths. The primary objective is to assess how the acquisition of soft skills impacts students' satisfaction with their career development. Specific goals include examining the relationship between perceived soft skills and career self-efficacy, assessing the influence of acquiring soft skills on career development satisfaction and identifying potential gender differences in these factors. A total of 277 engineering students took part in the data collection process, and the reliability and validity of the findings were ensured through rigorous data screening and analysis. The study utilized descriptive statistics, structural equation modeling (SEM), and various statistical tests to provide a robust framework for analysis. The participants' demographic profiles offered valuable insights into the characteristics of engineering students, aiding in the interpretation of the findings and their implications. The research uncovered significant relationships and mediation effects between perceived soft skills, career self-efficacy, interest and goals, outcome expectations, and soft skills satisfaction. Perceived soft skills emerged as a key predictor of career self-efficacy, interest and goals, and outcome expectations among students. Furthermore, the findings underscored the pivotal role of interest and goals in mediating the relationship between perceived soft skills and soft skills satisfaction. By evaluating the insights into the interplay between soft skills, career self-efficacy, and career satisfaction will be enhancing soft skills development to prepare engineering students for successful and fulfilling careers in the 21st century.