Abstract: Workforce development in engineering is crucial to meeting the growing demand for skilled professionals in local and global projects. This talk is inspired by and grounded in my prior work studying the intersection of engineering education and workforce development, highlighting the importance of bridging gaps between working professionals, faculty, and students to sustain a robust talent pool. Drawing from my experiences in engineering education research within the civil engineering field, I will share my methodological approaches, employing qualitative case study methods. I will also present findings that make implications for addressing critical challenges in engineering education. The presentation is going to conclude with a discussion of future research directions, including improving mentoring practices, nurturing professional development opportunities and environment, and fostering academic success for engineering students. This talk aims to encourage collaborative efforts to build inclusive and effective learning environments.

Biography: Dr. Hwangbo Bae, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Michigan, focuses on professional development, mentoring practices, and cultural capital in engineering. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Florida, and MS and BS from Virginia Tech. His research explores the people aspects of engineering, emphasizing acquisition of professional skills, career preparation, and fostering inclusive learning environment for underrepresented groups, particularly Asian women in civil engineering. Grounded in qualitative research, he primarily employs Yin's case study approach. Through his research, he aims to foster learning environments where engineering students receive sufficient mentoring and professional development opportunities for their career advancement.