Caregiving skills for the engineering profession

Principal Investigator: Dr. Linda Schweitzer, Management
Student: Angel Henchey
Project Title: Caregiving skills for the engineering profession
Funder: Mitacs Accelerate
Partner: Engineers Yukon
Duration: 1 year

This study explores how caregiving—such as caring for children, elderly family members, or others—can help develop valuable skills for the engineering profession. Through interviews and surveys, the project will identify caregiving skills that are relevant to engineering, examine how these skills are used in the workplace, and assess whether caregiving contributes to career growth and professional development. It aims to demonstrate that caregiving experience can foster transferable skills—such as communication, problem-solving, and time management—that add value to engineering organizations. The study also seeks to support women in engineering, who are often underrepresented and more likely to take on caregiving responsibilities, by highlighting the importance of their experiences. Findings will help promote greater recognition of caregiving within the profession and support Engineers Yukon’s continuing professional development program, which includes caregiving as a meaningful learning activity.