From Campus to Career: The Influence of Undergraduate Research on Aspirations, Growth, and Research Mindset in Engineering Education

Authors

  • Kirupa Priyadarsini M Career aspirations, institutional support, personal and professional growth, research mindset, undergraduate research experiences, and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling.
  • S Pavan Kumar School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Management, NITK Surathkal, Karnataka

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.16920/jeet/2026/v39is2/26035

Keywords:

Career aspirations, institutional support, personal and professional growth, research mindset, undergraduate research experiences, and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling.

Abstract

Strengthening student research culture within colleges has become a priority as institutions aim to train students with the skills, mindset, and motivation needed for innovationdriven careers. Undergraduate research, supported by institutional initiatives, is pivotal in fostering early research engagement and shaping students’ long-term academic and professional career pathways. This study examines the influence of undergraduate research experience (URE), institutional support, research skills, and confidence on engineering students' career aspirations, personal and professional growth, and research mindset. Data from 215 Tamil Nadu and Karnataka students in Tier 1 and Tier 2 institutions were collected and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling in JAMOVI. Findings show that URE and institutional support significantly boost career aspirations, while research skills and confidence strongly predict growth. Career aspirations and development, in turn, enhance research mindset, with growth emerging as the strongest driver.

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Published

2026-02-18

How to Cite

M, K. P., & Kumar, S. P. (2026). From Campus to Career: The Influence of Undergraduate Research on Aspirations, Growth, and Research Mindset in Engineering Education. Journal of Engineering Education Transformations, 39(Special Issue 2), 279–287. https://doi.org/10.16920/jeet/2026/v39is2/26035

Issue

Volume 39, Special Issue 2, January 2026

Section

Articles
Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC

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