Perhaps you are about to embark on a new chapter in your life and are considering engineering as a possible field of study? Or maybe you are thinking about a career change and exciting new challenges? Either way, you will have a few big decisions to make. Here is some information that you will need in order to effectively evaluate whether a career in engineering is right for you.
Is a career in engineering satisfying?
Most definitely. Engineers spend a large portion of their time developing solutions to common community problems and designing and creating a variety of incredible systems that contribute to the basic functioning of society. Engineering is also an industry that is constantly evolving with the times, as well as benefitting from the creation of new technology. As a result, every single day promises a new experience and plenty of opportunity to make a lasting impact.
What type of person is best suited to an engineering career?
Ideally, a successful engineer will possess equal parts logic and creativity. They will have a strong interest in mathematics and science, a natural inclination for problem-solving, and a knack for coming up with imaginative solutions. Most engineers are also curious individuals who are constantly in search of answers and explanations. They probably grew up with a desire to find out how machines or mechanical objects worked and took great pleasure in taking things apart to have a sneaky peak inside, only to carefully put them back together again thereafter.
Other stand-out personality traits of successful engineers include the following:
- Critical thinking ability
- Innovation
- Above average communication skills
- Hard-working and dedicated
- The ability to work well individually, as well as collaboratively in a team setting
Does a career in engineering pay well?
Yes. This is because engineers are highly qualified individuals with specialized skills. According to Indeed.com, most engineers working in the United States earn an estimated 40.49% more than the average base salary.
Of course, the earning potential varies significantly in terms of the engineer’s area of focus. For example, system engineers earn approximately $101,736 per year, while mechanical engineers earn approximately $87,279 per year.
In general, it is estimated that the most profitable city/state in which to work as an engineer is Seattle, Washington, with New York City following closely in second place.
Is it easy to find a job when you have a degree in electrical and computer engineering?
Usually, yes. There is an extremely high demand for qualified engineers — and not just in the USA, but all over the world. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has announced their prediction that employment growth is set to skyrocket for engineers between 2016 and 2026. It is estimated that around 140,000 new jobs will emerge during this time. The BLS further elaborated that over 25% of these new jobs would be geared towards civil engineers, which is also the largest engineering occupation in the country.
The long and short of it is that you shouldn’t have any trouble finding and securing a job after graduating with an engineering degree.
How long do you have to study for?
The majority of engineering degrees require a total of four years of study. However, most graduates will specialize thereafter and seek out various postgraduate degrees and courses, many of which require a further two years of study. The great news is that most of these postgraduate courses can be completed online while you continue working full time.
What does an engineer do?
The options are practically endless. For example, someone with a degree in engineering could break into the realm of autonomous vehicles or artificial intelligence. They could also delve into other areas such as renewable energy, space travel, genetics and DNA, cyber security genetics, and they could play a role in tackling pressing global issues, such as global warming, pollution, and poverty. In other words, an engineering degree opens up a diverse world of opportunity to truly make a difference. Click here for more information about online engineering study.
What are the different branches of engineering?
There are so many that it is practically impossible to mention them all. Here is a general breakdown:
- Civil engineering: Civil engineers spend their time designing, creating, and maintaining various infrastructure systems and projects within communities. These systems may include bridges, dams, buildings, etc.
- Electrical engineering: Electrical engineers are responsible for designing and developing a host of functional electrical systems, such as motors and communication systems.
- Mechanical engineering: Mechanical engineers focus predominantly on the design and development of machinery and equipment, such as air conditioners and elevators.
- Chemical engineering: Chemical engineering revolves around chemical manufacturing processes. It is a vocation that includes the streamlining of the production of fuel, chemicals, drugs and pharmaceuticals.
- Environmental engineering: Environmental engineers are dedicated to solving the various environmental problems with which the world is currently faced. They often focus their time and energy on environmental aspects and solutions like recycling, water pollution, etc.
- Aerospace engineers: Aerospace engineers are some of the highest paid in the USA. They spend most of their days crafting and testing creations such as aircraft and spacecraft but will also play a role in the creation of missiles and satellites.
- Computer hardware engineers: Unsurprisingly, engineers specializing in computer hardware turn their attention to the design and development of various computer systems. These systems include networks, routers, and circuit boards. There are actually many different types of engineers within the realm of computers. They include computer science engineers, computer software engineers and computer system engineers, to name a few.
- Industrial engineers: Industrial engineers are dedicated to optimizing production processes within numerous industries. The main goal is to reduce wastefulness and to make these processes more efficient in every way possible.
If you are still interested in kickstarting your career in engineering, now is the time to start doing research in terms of where and what to study. It is always worthwhile to speak directly with someone who is already successful within the field for advice and guidance. Good luck on this exciting new journey!
