From upper-level professional engineers to secondary engineering teachers: A study of pre-service second-career teachers in Australia and the United States

Abstract

Teachers with professional experience are important for improving students’ learning experiences and understanding of practical industry skills in engineering. This study explores why upper-level professional engineers decided to enter teaching with their Master of Arts in Teaching or Master of Teaching programmes and how pre-service teachers with decades of professional experience in engineering described and made sense of their career decisions to become secondary teachers. Sixteen participants shared their stories and their decisions. Among the motivations they reported, the relationship between industry and classroom knowledge in terms of preparation for university studies and encouragement from professional engineers to pursue engineering education influenced their decision. This study provides recommendations for potential second-career teachers and workforce management plans for school leaders and government agencies.