An analysis of the relationships between work experience, job satisfaction, salary levels, and demographic variables for engineering graduates

The purpose of this study was, first, to determine whether the levels of job satisfaction reported by engineering graduates was influenced by work experience acquired prior to graduation. Graduates were divided into three experience groups: (a) co-op experience; (b) non-co-op experience; (c) no experience. A second purpose was to determine the differences in starting salaries and current salaries of engineering graduates which can be attributed to engineering work experience. The third purpose was to determine whether significant, meaningful correlations occurred between the dependent variables and the independent variables analyzed in this study.;The population for the survey consisted of all 1990 through 1994 bachelor's degree graduates of the College of Engineering at Auburn University. Surveys were mailed to a randomly selected group of 1,000 graduates from the population. Responses were received from 504 engineers for a response rate of 50.4%. The Job Descriptive Index and the Job in General scales were used to measure job satisfaction perceptions. The .05 level of significance was established.;Minimal differences existed in job satisfaction perceptions among engineers based on the experience variable. Non-co-op graduates were significantly more satisfied with pay than the no experience graduates.;Earnings of engineering graduates with work experience are positively influenced by experience. Both beginning and current salaries of co-ops and non-co-ops were significantly greater than those earned by graduates with no experience. In comparison with the no-experience group, starting salaries were 12.4% higher for co-ops and 8.2% higher for non-co-ops. In addition, 1--5 years after graduation, co-ops earn 12.5% more and non-co-ops earn 9.9% more than those with no engineering work experience.;Statistically significant correlations were found between the job satisfaction scales and the demographic variables. Age, realistic job expectations, salaries, supervision, personal and public perception of job importance all correlated significantly and positively with job satisfaction. Likewise, there were indications of the absence of statistically significant correlations between variables. No relationship was indicated between the job satisfaction factors and gender and number of children.