Studies barometer for scientists and engineers
Project status: | Current | |
Project period: | 11/2007 to 04/2009 | |
Project type: |
Description
The career barometer for science and engineering will, for the first time, examine in detail the image of professions in the technical and natural sciences, and the reasons why they are chosen or rejected as careers. The investigation will be based on empirical studies of various target groups (including pupils, students and engineers). It will look at individual and societal causes for the low numbers of young scientists and engineers. This will give rise to recommendations for specific measures to enhance the attractiveness of careers in technical areas and increase the number of young people who choose this path. The career barometer, which is designed to take place in two phases, will initially analyse a large number of different studies to assess the state of existing research (meta and secondary analysis). On the basis of these findings, the career barometer will take an inventory of technological socialisation in society. To sketch out the level of technical socialisation in society, a broad survey of individual biographies and attitudes toward professions in the technical and natural sciences will be taken for different target groups. The findings will be correlated with trends in the technical and natural sciences, with how students choose a particular course of study, and with job opportunities and job profiles. The "innovative charm" of the career barometer lies in the following features:
- For the first time, a meta-analysis will compile the numerous different studies that have been undertaken on this topic.
- The individual and societal trends in the technical and natural sciences will be continuously documented.
- The perspectives of the target groups will be compared on the basis of various parameters, and the expectations and experiences will be compared within and between the groups.
When updated regularly, the career barometer is a comprehensive trend monitor that throws light on individual and societal influences on technological socialisation, technology education and the image of studies and professions in the technical and natural sciences in Germany.