The Influence of English Proficiency on Employability in Engineering Fields

English language proficiency (ELP) has emerged as a critical determinant of employability in the global engineering labor market. This quantitative study investigates the influence of ELP on employability outcomes among engineering graduates, encompassing dimensions of job acquisition, salary attainment, career advancement, and workplace communication effectiveness. Using a structured survey instrument administered to 385 engineering graduates from five research universities in Indonesia, data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, and multiple linear regression. Results indicated that ELP significantly and positively predicted overall employability scores (β = 0.472, p < .001), with writing proficiency and oral communication demonstrating the strongest individual contributions. Regression analysis revealed that ELP explained 38.4% of the variance in employability outcomes (R² = .384, F(4, 380) = 59.26, p < .001), even after controlling for technical GPA and work experience. Graduates with higher TOEFL-equivalent scores (≥550) reported substantially shorter job-seeking periods, higher starting salaries, and greater rates of career progression within three years of graduation. In conclusion, Human Capital Theory's prediction yields measurable economic returns and underscores the urgent need for engineering curricula to integrate systematic ELP development.