Table 1 Factor loadings

Factor one

1

 I think engineering is interesting

0.799///

I

2

 I feel good when I am doing engineering

0.784///

I

3

 I like doing engineering

0.779///

I

4

 I think engineering is fun

0.776///

I

5

 I find fulfillment in doing engineering

0.772///

I

6

 I enjoy learning engineering

0.722///

I

7

 I am interested in learning more about engineering

0.695///

I

Factor two

1

 Designing a system, a part/component of a system, or a process based on realistic constraints

/0.794//

P

2

 Creating prototypes to test an idea

/0.794//

P

3

 Designing and conducting experiments to test a research idea

/0.757//

P

4

 Building and testing systems to learn more about how they work

/0.709//

P

5

 Improving a design to make it more efficient (faster, better, cheaper)

/0.549//

P

6

 Identifying technical solutions that are as simple as possible

/0.534//

P

7

 I am confident that I can understand engineering outside of class

0.532/0.493//

P

8

 I am confident that I can understand engineering in class

0.450/0.433//

P

Factor three

1

 My peers view me as an engineer

//0.844/

R

2

 Other students in my program see me as an engineer

//0.756/

R

3

 My friends see me as an engineer

//0.746/

R

4

 My family sees me as an engineer

//0.710/

R

Factor four

1

 My advisor expects me to continue my career as an engineer

///0.865

R

2

 My advisor sees me as an engineer

///0.693

R