FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO ENGINEERING: HOW PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES CAN TRANSFORM CAREER CHOICES

Abstract

This study investigates how practical activities in high school can influence students’ career choices in Civil Engineering. The research, qualitative and descriptive in nature, was conducted with 19 third-year students at Colégio Estadual Vicente de Carvalho, in Dois Lajeados/RS, Brazil. The activities included an introduction to Revit software and BIM methodology, as well as the construction and load testing of popsicle stick bridges, supported by questionnaires administered before and after the workshops. The results revealed low initial identification with the exact sciences, with 21.1% of students reporting no affinity, although 89.5% intended to pursue higher education. After the activities, the number of students considering Engineering as a career option doubled, while three others remained undecided. Overall, 18 participants evaluated the practices positively, and 84.2% acknowledged their influence on future academic choices. The experience also fostered logical reasoning, understanding of structural concepts, and problem-solving skills. It is concluded that active methodologies, by integrating theory and practice, are effective in sparking students’ interest, strengthening motivation, and contributing to reducing dropout rates in Engineering courses.