Data for this analysis came from a large-scale survey of 3,711 first-year engineering students from 32 U.S. institutions of which 790 students identified as first-generation college students and 2,072 identified as having one or more parent(s) with a bachelor's degree or higher (continuing-generation college students). A Welch's t-test was used to examine the differences in engineering major selection between and within groups. Results from the within-group comparison show that men and women, who are first-generation college students, have similar disciplinary interest as reported in the ASEE Engineering by the Numbers. When analyzing the data by gender and examining college generation group differences, we found that female first-generation college students were more likely to choose, civil, computer, construction management, electrical engineering, computer science and, information technology compared to women in the other group. While male first-generation college students were more likely to choose construction management, electrical engineering compared to men in the other group. Enrollment trends of first-generation college students in engineering are difficult to determine, this study provides a first step towards understanding the fields that attract these students.

Dina Verdin and Allison Godwin (Purdue University, USA)

10.17.19: 1:30-3 PM, Room 9

Keywords – first-generation college students, engineering major, interests by gender