"Am I Ready?" – Young Graduates’ Self-Perceptions and Labor Market Expectations of New Engineers

Abstract

Engineering education is undergoing rapid transformation as Industry 4.0 and 5.0 reshape the skills expected from future professionals. This study examines competence perceptions among secondary-school students and engineering undergraduates in the South Transdanubian region of Hungary. A quantitative survey conducted in December 2024 and March 2025 involved 875 respondents (509 secondary students, 366 university students), who rated the perceived importance of 18 cognitive, technical, and social competencies and their own preparedness in each area. Results show consistently high importance ratings paired with lower self-assessments, with the largest gaps in domain-specific knowledge, time management, and decision-making. These findings suggest that young people aspiring to engineering careers recognise their developmental needs, providing valuable insights for practice-oriented curriculum design.