O impacto das vivências acadêmicas no desenvolvimento de competências profissionais em estudantes de engenharia de produção

Abstract

Higher education institutions play a fundamental role in economic, social, and technological development by contributing to the training of qualified professionals. The general objective of this study is to analyze how participation in teaching, research,and extension activities contributes to the development of professional competencies among Production Engineering students. In this context, the study seeks to evaluate the perceptions of current students and alumni of the Production Engineering program at the Federal University of Ceará (UFC)—Russas Campus—regarding the contributions of academic experiences during their undergraduate studies to their academic, professional, and personal development. The research was conducted using a structured questionnaire containing closed-ended questions (on a Likert scale) and one open-ended question, enabling the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data. Data analysis was performed using the SWOT analysis method, allowing for the identification of key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to academic projects in Production Engineering. The results highlighted positive aspects, such as a tangible competitive advantage in the job market, the integration of theory and practice, and experiences that foster the development of professional soft skills. Conversely, areas for improvement were identified, particularly regarding late participation in projects and academic workload issues. Based on the research findings, an action plan was developed using the 5W1H tool, aiming to leverage the identified strengths and opportunities while minimizing the observed weaknesses and threats. Thus, the study contributes to the program's continuous improvement process and provides insights to support decision-making by the program coordination and the institution, with the goal of enhancing the education provided to future production engineers.