Why You Should Make a Career Out of Engineering
If you are looking for a stable career with many job options, engineering may be a good fit for you. Engineers are typically good at critical thinking, problem solving and mathematics. Attention to detail and creativity are two other characteristics most engineers possess. Here’s how to snag a great career as an engineer.
What is an Engineer?
First off, let’s talk about what an engineer does. An engineer creates, designs and builds most items you see or use daily, ranging from bridges to cool pool designs Pensacola. They also analyze, improve, modify and test these devices, machines, structures and equipment. Cost, safety, ease of use and other factors are carefully considered throughout the process. Engineers are used to following very strict protocols, regulations, budgets, time constraints and other specifications. Workspaces can include an office, laboratory or job site.
Main Types of Engineers
There is great diversity within engineering with specialties in almost any sector you could think of. An aspiring engineer could obtain a degree in one of four main engineering categories. These sections are mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering and civil engineering. Aside from these four most popular fields, there are a ton of other further specializations an engineer could obtain, such as aerospace, agricultural, biomedical, marine, petroleum and many others.
A mechanical engineer designs, develops, tests and improves machines, engines and other mechanical devices or tools.
A chemical engineer works with foods, chemicals and drugs. This is an excellent choice for someone who loves the sciences, as many chemical engineers help develop, enhance and problem-solve the production process of many chemicals.
An electrical engineer develops, tests and improves electrical components like motors or power generation. This is one of the broadest of the four fields, as the scope of practice for electrical engineers can vary greatly depending on the job.
A civil engineer specializes in infrastructure. Bridges, roads, tunnels and dams are some of the most common infrastructures.
Degree Requirements
The minimum requirement for an engineering job is a bachelor’s degree in engineering. The curriculum for this degree will vary depending on the engineering major chosen. However, all engineering students will take a set of core classes with a strong emphasis on mathematics and physics. Other engineering core classes include chemistry and computing or design courses, on top of general education requirements with applicable credits set by the university. During schooling, an internship is often part of the education requirement for graduation. These internships provide first-hand experience in the field and can offer insight into what a day in the life of an engineer is like. Many students may realize they love that specific sector, while some may search for other prospective paths upon graduation. Doing well during an internship can help you network, gain solid references for future job applications, and even land you a job should an opening within that company become available.
Job Outlook
Upon graduation, engineers will find they are in high demand. Due to the multitude of specialties, there are so many different sectors looking for engineers. Engineering opportunities are expected to keep growing in demand, with some areas increasing far more than the average. Science and technology are taking off, meaning there should be tons of growth for engineers in these areas, too. Engineers can earn a very good salary, which is typically accompanied by solid benefits packages. Pay can exceed $100,000 depending on experience and specialty. Overall, engineering is a very stable and dependable field to get into with a lot of job growth and opportunity.
Engineering is a great field to get into, especially if you enjoy math, science and physics. Many individuals are drawn to the wide variety of sectors an engineer can work in. There are many specialties, so be sure to look into a full list of specialties making a note of the ones that interest you to learn more about them. Shadowing an engineer is a great idea before applying to engineering programs. A good GPA and internship experience can help you land a job you love!
