Correlation of personality type with student interest in sustainability in civil engineering

Abstract

This paper presents a study on the relationships between personality type and student interest in sustainability within civil engineering. The personality types of undergraduate civil engineering students in a sophomore introduction to civil engineering course with sustainability-related topics were determined using the Myers Brigg Personality Type Indicator®. Sustainability related topics were presented in the course through traditional instructor-centered lectures. Personality type was then related to student-reported interest in civil engineering and sustainability, as well as student-reported importance of personal sustainability issues through surveys. Results correlate student interest ratings and importance ratings to personality type as well as gender. Results give preliminary insight into effective methods for attracting a more diverse population into civil engineering. Feeling (F) and perceiving (P) personality types - atypical in civil engineering - showed largest increases in interest in sustainability at the end of the introductory civil engineering course. Female, thinking (T) personality type civil engineering students also showed an increase in civil engineering at the end of the introductory civil engineering course. Therefore sustainability may be a viable means for attracting atypical engineering personality types and females into civil engineering.