Student Motivations to Choose Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan

Incoming first-year engineering students at the University of Saskatchewan completed a survey about their motivation to study engineering. Ninety-one student responses were analyzed within the expectancy value theory framework, including interactions with demographics. Statistical analysis showed intrinsic value (interest/enjoyment) was more important in choosing engineering than attainment (identity) and utility values in the decision to study engineering. There were statistically significant differences in some motivation scores across gender and regional background. Wanting to study engineering because of job prospects and the respect earned by having an engineering degree was rated higher for female than male students, while wanting to study engineering to learn how things work was more prevalent in students from Saskatchewan than students from abroad.