English Linguistic Competence for the Career of Engineer: the Voice of Students and Employees
Keywords:
English linguistic competence, Engineering employability, Workplace communication, Qualitative thematic analysis, Multinational engineering workplacesAbstract
English linguistic competence has become increasingly central to engineering career development, particularly in globalized industries where communication, documentation, and cross-functional collaboration occur predominantly in English. In Indonesia, this demand is intensified by the growth of multinational sectors such as electronics, shipbuilding, and oil and gas, yet limited evidence integrates both student and industry viewpoints on how linguistic competence influences workplace readiness, wellbeing, and employability. This qualitative study investigates perceptions of final-semester engineering students and industry employees regarding (1) the importance of English linguistic competence for engineers, (2) the perceived proficiency of Indonesian engineering graduates, and (3) the forms of preparation required for securing employment in multinational companies. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six engineering students from two private universities and five employees holding managerial or supervisory roles in Batam-based multinational firms. Data were transcribed, cleaned, and coded using iterative thematic analysis. Three themes emerged: English proficiency functions as a hiring gatekeeper that shapes early career mobility; graduates display competence gaps that require compensatory adaptation in the workplace; and limited preparatory pathways in universities and companies result in insufficient engineering-specific English development. Findings reveal a persistent misalignment between academic English instruction and workplace communicative demands. Both groups emphasized the need for domain-specific linguistic preparation to support engineers’ performance, wellbeing, and long-term career progression. The study underscores the necessity for coordinated efforts among universities, employers, and policymakers to integrate industry-relevant English communication training into engineering education.
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