| The regional Great Lakes economy is at a crossroads, given the contraction of the manufacturing sector, the net brain drain of recent college graduates out of the region, and the resultant need for a stronger base of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) professionals to fill the labor void. As a possible remedy to this challenge, the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) offers pathways for learners to affordably begin an education at the associate degree level, find employment related to their education, and transfer technical college credits to four-year partner schools to complete an engineering baccalaureate degree.;This study describes the findings from recountings of eighteen engineering graduates who attended six Wisconsin technical colleges and completed their degrees at Marquette University or the Milwaukee School of Engineering. The researcher sought to identify the factors that facilitated and militated against the graduates' baccalaureate completion, with reference to social cognitive career theory as a 'fit' model.;The essential findings of the study include a discovery of the subjects' intensity and propensity to persist, a critical incident or encounter with a significant mentor that encouraged the subjects to change life course and pursue a degree, the impact of interactions with supportive faculty members and peers, and the emergence of key criteria for designating three college and career pathways. In addition to these findings, the researcher demonstrated how the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) can serve to identify these populations to educators through the location and enrollment trends of a geographical demographic of learner populations.;The study serves to provide educators with insights about strategies to increase the enrollment, retention and completion of transfer learners through the WTCS - a relatively affordable and advantageous academic pathway to STEM careers, particularly for learners from a disadvantaged background. Ultimately, the widespread expansion of STEM professionals would serve regional labor needs and allow transfer populations to enjoy the rewards of an engineering career. |
