Engineering as a career

  Introduction

Where would we be without engineers? Our world would most certainly be a different place, no doubt. Engineers design the products and processes that we use everyday. Their work focuses on making the world a better place for everyone and everything. Without engineers we would still be relying on horses for all of our transportation needs; we would not have electric lights, refrigeration or modern plumbing in our home; we would not have advanced medical tools and equipment; we would enjoy few recreational "toys".

Are you thinking about a career in engineering? Or, are you interested in pursuing an engineering degree as a way to open doors in any field you choose? Well, anyone can be an engineer! If you are willing to accept the challenge of engineering and can develop the math and science skills you need–even if you don't have them now–you can be an engineer!

More and more, professional job opportunities require technical expertise, and this trend is expected to continue. Our nation's need for engineers, technologists and technicians will grow as our society becomes more technology-driven. Those who understand technology and its value to humanity will have the best career options. A degree in engineering or technology will provide a foundation from which your career path can take almost any direction.

  Why Engineering?

                                                                 

Engineering is a field in which your mind and your talents are most important. If you are willing to work hard at challenging and satisfying tasks and continue a life time of learning, and if you want to help improve society, consider a career in engineering. It will provide you with opportunities you never knew existed.

Engineering prepares you to go in many different directions and allows you to consider pursuing a career in almost any field. Everyday, engineers question and challenge things in the world around them. They seek to improve the products we use as we travel, work and play. Engineering is as varied as your imagination.

  Job Prospects in Engineering

Engineering jobs in general are projected to increase at about the same rate as the growth in jobs overall between 2004 and 2014. However, the projected growth rates for certain engineering specialties during that time vary widely:

Computer software, biomedical, and environmental engineering job opportunities are all projected to grow at a rate far in excess of the growth of jobs overall.

Job opportunities in agricultural, chemical, civil, computer hardware, electrical, electronics, health and safety, industrial, materials, and mechanical engineering are all expected to grow at a rate faster than the overall jobs growth rate.

Job opportunities in aerospace, marine, and nuclear engineering are expected to grow at a slower rate than overall jobs growth.

Job opportunities in nuclear and petroleum engineering are expected to decline.

Note that even in engineering specialties with low projected employment growth rates, there should be ample opportunities for fledgling engineers in coming years. Among other factors, retirements among baby boomers will lead to opportunities in the larger engineering specialties.

One key for engineers is ongoing education. Materials and technologies are changing so rapidly these days that only those who are up to speed on the latest trends in their fields will be assured of strong job prospects.

  Range of Engineering Careers

Engineering is a career that involves finding the solutions to problems and changing the world in which we live.  There are a wide range of careers that fall under the umbrella term of "Engineering", and each branch of the sector requires a different set of qualifications, skills and interests - as you will see when you dip into the range of Engineering careers below.

Agriculture

 
  • Agricultural Engineer
    Want to protect the environment and feed the world - all at the same time? Agricultural engineers do just that.

 
  • Chemical Engineer
    Like chemistry? Chemical engineers use the science of chemistry to find new and better ways of doing things.

 
  • Environmental Engineer
    Interested in protecting the environment? Concern for the environment is the top priority for environmental engineers.

 
  • Mechanical Engineer
    Like to take things apart? Mechanical engineers build and maintain all kinds of machines - from nanobots to space exploration vehicles.

 

Communications

 
  • Computer Engineer
    Comfortable with a keyboard? Computer engineering offers enormous opportunities for your future.

 
  • Electrical Engineer
    Want to power the world? Electrical engineers work with all forms of electricity - the most versatile and important type of power.

 
  • Industrial Engineer
    Do you sometimes think "I could do that better or faster"? You may have a future as an industrial engineer.

 

Computers

 
  • Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineer
    Fascinated by things that fly? Consider a career in aeronautical engineering.

 
  • Computer Engineer
    Comfortable with a keyboard? Computer engineering offers enormous opportunities for your future.

 
  • Electrical Engineer
    Want to power the world? Electrical engineers work with all forms of electricity - the most versatile and important type of power.

 
  • Industrial Engineer
    Do you sometimes think "I could do that better or faster"? You may have a future as an industrial engineer.

 
  • Materials Engineer
    How do they get the non-stick surface of a frying pan to stick to the pan? A materials engineer would know.

 
  • Mechanical Engineer
    Like to take things apart? Mechanical engineers build and maintain all kinds of machines - from nanobots to space exploration vehicles.

 

Construction

 
  • Agricultural Engineer
    Want to protect the environment and feed the world - all at the same time? Agricultural engineers do just that.

 
  • Civil Engineer
    What do the Egyptian pyramids, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the road you take from home to school have in common? A civil engineer was involved in building them all.

 
  • Environmental Engineer
    Interested in protecting the environment? Concern for the environment is the top priority for environmental engineers.

 
  • Industrial Engineer
    Do you sometimes think "I could do that better or faster"? You may have a future as an industrial engineer.

 
  • Materials Engineer
    How do they get the non-stick surface of a frying pan to stick to the pan? A materials engineer would know.

 
  • Mechanical Engineer
    Like to take things apart? Mechanical engineers build and maintain all kinds of machines - from nanobots to space exploration vehicles.

 

Energy

 
  • Chemical Engineer
    Like chemistry? Chemical engineers use the science of chemistry to find new and better ways of doing things.

 
  • Civil Engineer
    What do the Egyptian pyramids, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the road you take from home to school have in common? A civil engineer was involved in building them all.

 
  • Electrical Engineer
    Want to power the world? Electrical engineers work with all forms of electricity - the most versatile and important type of power.

 
  • Environmental Engineer
    Interested in protecting the environment? Concern for the environment is the top priority for environmental engineers.

 
  • Industrial Engineer
    Do you sometimes think "I could do that better or faster"? You may have a future as an industrial engineer.

 
  • Mechanical Engineer
    Like to take things apart? Mechanical engineers build and maintain all kinds of machines - from nanobots to space exploration vehicles.

 
  • Nuclear Engineer
    Is fusion the power of the future? Nuclear engineers the people who might make the dream of limitless, safe energy a reality.

 

Entertainment

 
  • Computer Engineer
    Comfortable with a keyboard? Computer engineering offers enormous opportunities for your future.

 

Environment

 
  • Agricultural Engineer
    Want to protect the environment and feed the world - all at the same time? Agricultural engineers do just that.

 
  • Chemical Engineer
    Like chemistry? Chemical engineers use the science of chemistry to find new and better ways of doing things.

 
  • Civil Engineer
    What do the Egyptian pyramids, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the road you take from home to school have in common? A civil engineer was involved in building them all.

 
  • Environmental Engineer
    Interested in protecting the environment? Concern for the environment is the top priority for environmental engineers.

 
  • Materials Engineer
    How do they get the non-stick surface of a frying pan to stick to the pan? A materials engineer would know.

 
  • Mechanical Engineer
    Like to take things apart? Mechanical engineers build and maintain all kinds of machines - from nanobots to space exploration vehicles.

 
  • Nuclear Engineer
    Is fusion the power of the future? Nuclear engineers the people who might make the dream of limitless, safe energy a reality.

 

Machines

 
  • Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineer
    Fascinated by things that fly? Consider a career in aeronautical engineering.

 
  • Agricultural Engineer
    Want to protect the environment and feed the world - all at the same time? Agricultural engineers do just that.

 
  • Biomedical Engineer
    Thinking about a career in medicine? Biomedical engineering is a unique opportunity to help people through the combination medicine and technology.

 
  • Computer Engineer
    Comfortable with a keyboard? Computer engineering offers enormous opportunities for your future.

 
  • Electrical Engineer
    Want to power the world? Electrical engineers work with all forms of electricity - the most versatile and important type of power.

 
  • Industrial Engineer
    Do you sometimes think "I could do that better or faster"? You may have a future as an industrial engineer.

 
  • Materials Engineer
    How do they get the non-stick surface of a frying pan to stick to the pan? A materials engineer would know.

 
  • Mechanical Engineer
    Like to take things apart? Mechanical engineers build and maintain all kinds of machines - from nanobots to space exploration vehicles.

 

Materials

 
  • Biomedical Engineer
    Thinking about a career in medicine? Biomedical engineering is a unique opportunity to help people through the combination medicine and technology.

 
  • Chemical Engineer
    Like chemistry? Chemical engineers use the science of chemistry to find new and better ways of doing things.

 
  • Materials Engineer
    How do they get the non-stick surface of a frying pan to stick to the pan? A materials engineer would know.

 

Medicine

 
  • Biomedical Engineer
    Thinking about a career in medicine? Biomedical engineering is a unique opportunity to help people through the combination medicine and technology.

 
  • Chemical Engineer
    Like chemistry? Chemical engineers use the science of chemistry to find new and better ways of doing things.

 
  • Materials Engineer
    How do they get the non-stick surface of a frying pan to stick to the pan? A materials engineer would know.

 

Space

 
  • Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineer
    Fascinated by things that fly? Consider a career in aeronautical engineering.

 

Transportation

 
  • Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineer
    Fascinated by things that fly? Consider a career in aeronautical engineering.

 
  • Civil Engineer
    What do the Egyptian pyramids, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the road you take from home to school have in common? A civil engineer was involved in building them all.

 
  • Environmental Engineer
    Interested in protecting the environment? Concern for the environment is the top priority for environmental engineers.

 
  • Industrial Engineer
    Do you sometimes think "I could do that better or faster"? You may have a future as an industrial engineer.

 
  • Mechanical Engineer
    Like to take things apart? Mechanical engineers build and maintain all kinds of machines - from nanobots to space exploration vehicles.