Estudo de caso: engenharia x geração Z no mercado de trabalho brasileiro

Abstract

The present study aims to analyze the main challenges faced by Engineering in Brazil, with an emphasis on the decline of interest in the field and the shortage of qualified professionals, relating this scenario to the professional profile of Generation Z. The research adopts a mixed-methods approach, both qualitative and quantitative in nature, as well as an exploratory character, seeking to understand the causes and perceptions surrounding the decline of Engineering and the behavior of the new generation in the labor market. Through the analysis of statistical data, scientific articles, institutional reports, and expert opinions, key factors were identified- beginning with the deficient educational foundation, reflected in low performance in mathematics and physics, and extending to high dropout rates, lack of technical qualification among graduates, and the mismatch between academic training and market demands. At the same time, it was observed that Generation Z, marked by hyperconnectivity and the search for purpose, presents new professional values and expectations, such as flexibility and the prioritization of mental health, which have created tensions with the traditional structures of Engineering. The study proposes a reflection on how these generational and structural transformations may impact the future of the profession in Brazil.