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No matter where you live in the world, holding a degree in engineering significantly increases your chances of finding employment. Engineering careers span all types of social needs and industries. Whether in the petroleum sector or software engineering, engineers are essential for maintaining, supporting, designing, and manufacturing every product and service we use. Consequently, engineers are crucial and consistently in demand.
Demand is Greater than Supply
With only one in twenty
- Engineering interest: Interest in engineering fields has indeed declined in recent decades. There are multiple reasons for this, including a shift towards business and computer science degrees.
- Demand for engineers: There is a strong demand for skilled engineers in the US across many industries, from aerospace and civil engineering to software and biomedical engineering.
- Salary advantage: Engineering graduates tend to have good starting salaries and career prospects. However, it’s important to note that salaries can vary depending on the specific engineering discipline and experience.
- Comparison to other countries: The US does lag behind some European and Asian countries in the percentage of engineering graduates. Countries like Germany have a strong focus on vocational training and engineering education
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The World Is Their Workspace
The demand for new technology spans across barriers and nations. Large industrial and service corporations hire hundreds, if not thousands, of engineers for various global projects. These projects range from developing a better light bulb to enhancing cloud computing and storage. The number of countries that supply the necessary products for these projects is extensive. Consequently, engineers must either interact directly with overseas markets or their employers will need to hire someone who can.
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We often view smartphones or computers as purchases made only once every few years. If these were the only products engineers developed, their career prospects would likely be less promising. However, the scope of engineering stretches far beyond these items. The pace of new product development and enhancements to existing products is relentless and continuously increasing. Coupled with infrastructure demands for buildings, bridges, tunnels, and factories, the need for engineers to meet these requirements grows exponentially.
Furthermore, the demand for engineers not only remains robust but can also fluctuate dramatically in response to unforeseen events such as floods, droughts, hurricanes, and blizzards.
Engineering Skills are More Than a Specialization
Although engineering is a precise science, it consistently demands creativity to develop better solutions for existing products, invent new solutions for emerging problems, and anticipate future needs.
Engineers must also cultivate leadership skills and possess excellent communication abilities. Those who successfully develop these competencies often become prime candidates for management positions. Furthermore, engineers excel at objective analysis, whether assessing a company or an electrical grid. This skill set enables them to act as taskmasters and problem solvers beyond their field of specialization, serving as consultants or supervisors when a fresh perspective on a problem or topic is necessary for a company.
Types of Engineering Careers
There are many different types of engineering careers, depending on your skills and passions. Projected growth in engineering jobs, as well as wages, are included below.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
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Nuclear Engineer – Nuclear engineers research and develop the processes, instruments, and systems used to derive benefits from nuclear energy and radiation. Many of these engineers find industrial and medical uses for radioactive materials—for example, in equipment used in medical diagnosis and treatment.
Software Engineers – Computer science professionals who use knowledge of engineering principles and programming languages to build software products, develop computer games, and run network control systems.
Agricultural Engineer – Agricultural engineering is a unique field that involves coming up with different modes of activities and processes to help improve agriculture. It combines other disciplines, such as plant biology, animal biology, civil, mechanical, chemical, and electrical engineering. It might not be as lucrative as other engineering careers, but with the necessary experience, it can provide a decent income.
Petroleum Engineer – Petroleum engineers are tasked with discovering the location of oil reserves and determining the best position for oil rigs and wells. Another responsibility is strategizing safe methods for the extraction of petroleum and refining crude oil into its constituents. Maintenance of oil wells and rigs is also done by a petroleum engineer. However, in the case of offshore wells, he or she is required to work in conjunction with deep-sea divers and diving technicians. It is a well-paying job and considerable experience is required.
Civil Engineers – Building the world’s infrastructure as well as updating aging infrastructures in Europe and the US keeps this role in high demand. Civil engineers also face the daunting task of designing and building spans that will be safer and longer-lasting.
Environmental Engineers – The country’s quest for environmentally friendly ways of getting things done bodes well for careers in environmental engineering. Environmental engineers are challenged with finding ways to improve recycling, waste disposal, public health, and air and water pollution control. To get the job done, environment engineers utilize the principles of biology, chemistry, engineering, and soil science.
Geotechnical Engineers – This emerging career for civil engineering graduates focuses on the behavior of soil and rocks at construction sites. Geotechnical engineers analyze soil properties to design foundations for various structures, making them essential in earthquake-prone and landslide areas. Their expertise also supports critical projects like offshore platform construction. With their specialized skills, geotechnical engineers find opportunities with oil companies and prospecting firms, marking a promising
Environmental Engineers – Providing and designing solutions for environmental problems such as waste disposal and proper pollution management is the responsibility of environmental engineers. The main goal of this type of engineer is to develop the system and means to better protect the environment. With the growing population, providing efficient methods to contain pollution is of main concern. In many countries today, environmental engineers are employed to ensure the distribution of safe water supply and proper treatment of sewage. These kinds of engineers are also needed in providing efficient means for disposing of chemical and toxic wastes from industrial companies, such as power plants, drilling firms, chemical manufacturing companies, and pharmaceuticals.
Transportation Engineers – The exponential population growth in many countries has caused a sharp increase in transportation needs. Providing the best means of transportation is the primary job of transportation engineers. This involves participating in providing systems and modes of transportation that are efficient and safe. Construction of public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and railways are also among the main responsibilities in a transportation engineering career. Railway, Airport, Marine, and road engineers fall under this engineering career.
Structural Engineers – A career in Structural engineering involves making sure a building can withstand natural and man-made forces, disasters, and influences that may affect its structural integrity. Ensuring the safety of bridges, roads, dams, and other public structures is also the responsibility of this type of engineer. Structural engineers are also responsible for testing the behavior of construction materials under different conditions. This involves providing information on how materials react and behave when subjected to pressure, cold, heat, and strain. It is one of the highly sought-after types of engineering today and it can be a fulfilling career for a civil engineering graduate. Opportunities abroad are also vast, especially in countries under development.
Requirements
According to bls.gov, entry-level engineers typically must have a bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline that’s related to the type of work they plan to do. Additional education or licensure, or both, may be needed to advance in the occupation.
Getting practical experience while in
Additional Resources:
Engineer Your Own Success: 7 Key Elements to Creating An Extraordinary Engineering Career – It’s a well-known fact that engineers are recognized for their uncanny ability to create magnificent blueprints in an effort to bring brilliant designs to the world. Unfortunately, oftentimes they suffer from a lack of the non-technical soft skills needed to advance up the corporate ladder and achieve the success they desire.
It's a well-known fact that engineers are recognized for their uncanny ability to create magnificent blueprints in an effort to bring brilliant designs to the world. Unfortunately, often times they suffer from a lack of the non-technical soft skills needed to advance up the corporate ladder and achieve the success they desire.
How to Become an Expert Software Engineer – This book provides a roadmap for advancing from novice to expert in software development. It covers essential programming skills, software architecture, agile methodologies, and career development strategies to help programmers excel and grow in the tech industry.
Additional Resources
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