Outsiders: Pathways and Perspectives from Engineering Education PhDs Outside Academia

Meagan C Pollock; Hoda Ehsan; Sreyoshi Bhaduri; Lauren Thomas Quigley

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Conference: 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Portland, Oregon
Publication Date: June 23, 2024
Start Date: June 23, 2024
End Date: July 12, 2024
Conference Session: Breaking barriers, building futures: Narratives of equity and inclusion in STEM education
Tagged Divisions: Equity and Culture & Social Justice in Education Division (EQUITY)
Tagged Topic: Diversity
Permanent URL: https://strategy.asee.org/47826

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Paper Authors

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Meagan C Pollock Engineer Inclusion

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As an engineer turned educator, through her company, Engineer Inclusion, Dr. Meagan Pollock focuses on helping others intentionally engineer inclusion™ in education and the workforce.

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Hoda Ehsan The Hill School orcid.org/0000-0003-3681-317X

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Hoda is Chair for Engineering and Computer Science Department and the Director of Quadrivium Design and Engineering at The Hill School. She holds a Ph.D in Engineering Education from Purdue University, M.S. in Childhood Education from City University of New York, and B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Bahonar University in Iran.

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Sreyoshi Bhaduri ThatStatsGirl

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Dr. Sreyoshi Bhaduri is an Engineering Educator and People Research Scientist. She employs innovative and ethical mixed-methods research approaches to uncover insights about the 21st century workforce. Sreyoshi has a doctorate in Engineering Education, and Masters degrees in Applied Statistics (M.A.) and Mechanical Engineering (M.S.), from Virginia Tech. She earned her Bachelors degree in Mechatronics Engineering from Manipal University in India. Sreyoshi has been recognized as a Graduate Academy for Teaching Excellence (VTGrATE) Fellow, a Global Perspectives Program (GPP) Fellow, a Diversity scholar, and was inducted in the Bouchet Honor Society in 2017.
Sreyoshi is passionate about improving belonging among women in Engineering. She serves as Senator at SWE (Society of Women Engineers) - the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change for women in engineering and technology with over 42,000 global members. She also champions and serves as advisor at Sisters in STEM - a not-for-profit led by school students, aimed at increasing interest, engagement, and allyship in STEM. Learn more about her work at - www.ThatStatsGirl.com. This work was carried out independent of author's current employment at Amazon. Views expressed in this paper are the author's own and do not represent those of the organization she works at.

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Lauren Thomas Quigley IBM Research orcid.org/0000-0003-2266-3174

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Lauren Thomas Quigley, PhD is a Research Scientist focused on the development of responsible and inclusive technology. Specifically, she researches practical approaches for fairness and inclusion in AI, data representation, and projecting technology’s impact on society and the environment, through a lens of social justice. Her secondary area of research is the use of critical theories in engineering education.

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Abstract

This article presents a critical exploration and recommendation based on the lived experiences of PhD graduates in Engineering Education who have ventured into non-academic career paths. The work is rooted in an auto-ethnographic research approach, and the report aims to mimic a live virtual panel. It seeks to elucidate the experiences and challenges faced by PhD graduates who diverged from traditional academic roles to pursue careers in industry, entrepreneurship, consulting, and pre-college leadership. These narratives reveal a complex landscape of motivations, perceived hierarchical barriers, and under-recognition within academic and non-academic sectors, highlighting a divide between industry and academia. The paper delves into the unique challenges faced by non-academic engineering educators, such as confronting a culture that often questions their value outside traditional faculty roles and the overarching perception that non-research roles are less significant. Despite these challenges, the authors argue for the vital role these professionals play in bridging the gap between research, instruction, and practical application in engineering education. They emphasize the importance of ASEE or similar professional societies in recognizing and leveraging the diverse contributions of non-academic engineering educators to foster a more inclusive and supportive community. Key takeaways and recommendations include the necessity for ASEE and similar bodies to shift normative expectations, create inclusive and equitable environments, and actively value diverse career trajectories. The paper calls for actionable strategies to build more inclusive professional communities, create safe spaces for discussing career diversity, and establish stronger connections between current students and diverse alums. The overarching goal is to cultivate an environment where all forms of contribution to engineering education are valued, encouraging a broader spectrum of career considerations among graduates and professionals. The authors seek not only to share insights but also to galvanize a nascent community of like-minded engineering educators aspiring or working outside the traditional academic sphere.

Citation
Format

Pollock, M. C., & Ehsan, H., & Bhaduri, S., & Quigley, L. T. (2024, June), Outsiders: Pathways and Perspectives from Engineering Education PhDs Outside Academia Paper presented at 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon. https://strategy.asee.org/47826

TY  - CPAPER
AB  - This article presents a critical exploration and recommendation based on the lived experiences of PhD graduates in Engineering Education who have ventured into non-academic career paths. The work is rooted in an auto-ethnographic research approach, and the report aims to mimic a live virtual panel. It seeks to elucidate the experiences and challenges faced by PhD graduates who diverged from traditional academic roles to pursue careers in industry, entrepreneurship, consulting, and pre-college leadership. These narratives reveal a complex landscape of motivations, perceived hierarchical barriers, and under-recognition within academic and non-academic sectors, highlighting a divide between industry and academia.
The paper delves into the unique challenges faced by non-academic engineering educators, such as confronting a culture that often questions their value outside traditional faculty roles and the overarching perception that non-research roles are less significant. Despite these challenges, the authors argue for the vital role these professionals play in bridging the gap between research, instruction, and practical application in engineering education. They emphasize the importance of ASEE or similar professional societies in recognizing and leveraging the diverse contributions of non-academic engineering educators to foster a more inclusive and supportive community.
Key takeaways and recommendations include the necessity for ASEE and similar bodies to shift normative expectations, create inclusive and equitable environments, and actively value diverse career trajectories. The paper calls for actionable strategies to build more inclusive professional communities, create safe spaces for discussing career diversity, and establish stronger connections between current students and diverse alums. The overarching goal is to cultivate an environment where all forms of contribution to engineering education are valued, encouraging a broader spectrum of career considerations among graduates and professionals. The authors seek not only to share insights but also to galvanize a nascent community of like-minded engineering educators aspiring or working outside the traditional academic sphere.
AU  - Meagan C Pollock
AU  - Hoda Ehsan
AU  - Sreyoshi Bhaduri
AU  - Lauren Thomas Quigley
CY  - Portland, Oregon
DA  - 2024/06/23
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - Outsiders: Pathways and Perspectives from Engineering Education PhDs Outside Academia
UR  - https://strategy.asee.org/47826
ER  -