Predicting Career Optimism of Civil Engineers

Abstract

Delivery of infrastructure in Australia is increasingly challenged by shortages of professional civil engineers. It is therefore imperative to investigate their career optimism. Through the lens of the theory of work adjustment, we expand upon previous research on this topic. We identify the significance of occupational and organizational values and needs, adjustment, and commitment, emphasizing both individual and organizational factors. From a nationwide survey of Australian professional civil engineers, our logistic regression models identify the mechanisms that predict a civil engineer’s increasing or decreasing career optimism, which are distinguished through the constructs of Person, Environment, and the Adjustment between them. Our findings show that a civil engineer’s career optimism depends upon their years of professional experience and gender. Optimistic male civil engineers report affective organizational commitment, but career optimism declines with years of experience. Optimistic nonmale civil engineers report continuing organizational commitment and increasing optimism with experience. Predictors of an early-career civil engineer’s increasing career optimism include the occupational status value of responsibility and the ability to adjust within a work environment. Therefore, organizations must continue to build upon current practices in supporting a civil engineer’s occupational needs, provide flexibility, and understand their organizational commitment. Practical management implications that build career optimism of early-career civil engineers include provision of roles offering autonomy, responsibility, and flexibility, support returning from career breaks, and providing change management training.