Careers in Engineering
Careers in Engineering
The first engineer to be known by name and achievement was
Imhotep, a builder of the Step Pyramid at Saqqarah, Egypt, probably
in about 2550 BC.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica
Engineering has come a long way since the building of the pyramids. Today, there are more than 25 major engineering specialties recognized by professional societies, and the major branches have numerous subdivisions. Engineers in each branch have a base of knowledge and training that can be applied in many fields. Electronics engineers, for example, work in the medical, computer, communications, and missile guidance fields. Because there are many separate problems to solve in a large engineering project, engineers in one field often work closely with specialists in other scientific, engineering, and business occupations.
Engineering Specializations
Here are just a few of the many engineering specialties:
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Engineers should be creative, inquisitive, analytical, and detail-oriented. They should be able to work as part of a team and to communicate well, both orally and in writing. Communication abilities are becoming more important because much of their work is becoming more diversified, meaning that engineers interact with specialists in a wide range of fields outside engineering.
A bachelor's degree in engineering is required for almost all entry-level engineering jobs. College graduates with a degree in a physical science or mathematics occasionally may qualify for some engineering jobs, especially in specialties in high demand. Most engineering degrees are granted in electrical, electronics, mechanical, or civil engineering. However, engineers trained in one branch may work in related branches. For example, many aerospace engineers have training in mechanical engineering. This flexibility allows employers to meet staffing needs in new technologies and specialties in which engineers are in short supply. It also allows engineers to shift to fields with better employment prospects or to those that more closely match their interests.
Most engineering programs involve a concentration of study in an engineering specialty, along with courses in both mathematics and science. Most programs include a design course, sometimes accompanied by a computer or laboratory class or both.
In addition to the standard engineering degree, many colleges offer 2- or 4-year degree programs in engineering technology. These programs, which usually include various hands-on laboratory classes that focus on current issues, prepare students for practical design and production work, rather than for jobs that require more theoretical and scientific knowledge. Graduates of 4-year technology programs may get jobs similar to those obtained by graduates with a bachelor's degree in engineering. Engineering technology graduates, however, are not qualified to register as professional engineers under the same terms as graduates with degrees in engineering. Some employers regard technology program graduates as having skills between those of a technician and an engineer.
About 330 colleges and universities offer bachelor's degree programs in engineering that are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), and about 250 colleges offer accredited bachelor's degree programs in engineering technology. ABET accreditation is based on an examination of an engineering program's student achievement, program improvement, faculty, curricular content, facilities, and institutional commitment. Although most institutions offer programs in the major branches of engineering, only a few offer programs in the smaller specialties. Also, programs of the same title may vary in content. For example, some programs emphasize industrial practices, preparing students for a job in industry, whereas others are more theoretical and are designed to prepare students for graduate work. Therefore, students should investigate curricula and check accreditations carefully before selecting a college.
More Information About Careers in
Engineering
High school students interested in obtaining a full package of
guidance materials and information on a variety of engineering
disciplines should contact the Junior
Engineering Technical Society.
High school students interested in obtaining information on ABET-accredited engineering programs should contact:
Non-licensed engineers and college students interested in obtaining information on Professional Engineer licensure should contact:
- The National Society of Professional Engineers
- National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveying
Information on general engineering education and career resources is available from:
Information on obtaining an engineering position with the Federal Government is available from the Office of Personnel Management through a telephone-based system. Consult your telephone directory under U.S. Government for a local number or call (912) 757-3000; Federal Relay Service: (800) 877-8339. The first number is not toll free, and charges may result.
Links and Resources
Here are a few links to engineering associations:
Chemical engineers:
Civil engineers:
Computer software engineers:
- Association for Computing Machinery
- IEEE Computer Society
- National Workforce Center for Emerging Technologies
- Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals
Electrical and electronics engineers:
Engineering technicians:
Environmental engineers:
Industrial engineers:
- Institute of Industrial Engineers
- American Society of Safety Engineers
- Board of Certified Safety Professionals
Mechanical engineers:
Sales engineers:
- Manufacturers' Agents National Association
- Manufacturers' Representatives Educational Research Foundation
Engineering Education and Life-Long
Learning
When you investigate engineering programs, consider the following
points when choosing which college or university to attend:
- The degree program should be state accredited. Click here for more information about accreditation.
- Speak with admissions counsellors to determine the flexibility of the programs offered. For example, can you study a wide range of courses in your first and second years and then create a major and a minor in your third and fourth years? Maybe you wish to structure a major in your second year?
- What works best for you? Taking two years of college and then transferring to a four-year program? Or would you prefer four years at the same school?
- Does the school offer career services that include job placement, a resume service, job fairs and networking opportunities? Is there a fee connected with the career services offered? What is the placement rate for graduates of the program?
- Are you able to attend school full-time or part-time? Evenings or weekends only? Have you considered online or distance learning. Click here for more information on online learning.
- What is the cost of the education required? Will you require financial aid? Could you qualify for a scholarship? Are loans or grants available to you? Click here for more information about financial aid.
No matter what piques your interest, the engineering profession today offers many options to students.
- Get Started: Visit the links on the left navigation bar to review current career information and learn more about the nature of the jobs that interest you, such as salary expectations, working conditions, future outlook of the profession, employment rates and educational requirements.
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