Professional success mediated by big data: The relationship between digital education and career prospects among engineering students

Tello A.B.; Wu Y.-T.; Vilchez-Guizado J.; Hoang T.P. · Multidisciplinary Science Journal (2026) · DOI: 10.31893/multiscience.2026377

Resumen

The backbone for the foundational role of organizational and operational pursuits for engineers, as well as for developing employability skills among engineering students through digital education, has become a pivotal mechanism for cultivating competencies and operational acumen. This is particularly important for aligning students’ skills with industry expectations. Nonetheless, the integration of big data analytics within digital learning environments remains underexplored, despite its potential to enhance educational outcomes. To address this gap, this study investigated the influence of digital education experiences on the employability skills of engineering students, with a specific focus on their perceptions of big data analytics. A total of 850 students from international engineering higher education institutions were invited to participate in a structured survey, yielding 500 valid responses. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM), enabling the identification of key relational pathways. Findings indicate that students’ perceptions of big data analytics significantly mediate the relationship between digital education and employability skills (p < 0.01). This findings suggests that when students engage meaningfully with data-driven technologies in their learning environments, they are more likely to develop competencies aligned with industry expectations. Exposure to digital platforms not only enhances technical proficiency but also fosters adaptability and analytical thinking — attributes highly valued in contemporary engineering roles. These insights carry substantial implications for both educational institutions and the engineering sector. By embedding big data analytics into digital curricula and e-learning tools, stakeholders can strategically enhance the employability of future engineers. The study advocates for a pedagogical shift toward data-informed digital education, positioning it as a catalyst for professional readiness in an increasingly data-centric workforce. Copyright

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizán