Examining major selection and decision making can help us understand the recruitment and retention of engineering students. In majors that have identified overlap in terms of content and future careers, such as Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, it is important to understand the perspectives of students who decide to pursue these majors and if they change their major selection throughout the crucial first-year. This paper discusses results from a survey of engineering students throughout their first year of study. Pre-test, mid-test, and post-test survey results demonstrate that there are differences in certainty of major choice between those that intend to pursue Mechanical Engineering and those that intend to pursue Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, with the latter typically being a higher level of certainty. Open-ended responses highlight the differences in student perceptions of what engineers do in these two disciplines. It is hoped that the knowledge gained through this work may help inform recruitment activities, advising, and first-year engineering curriculum to allow students to make an informed decision about their major and future career.
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