Engineer Careers Information
Engineers are experts the physical sciences, so that they may apply the principles of mathematics and science to create solutions to real-world problems. Though you may not realize it, engineers have made a great deal of our day-to-day life possible!
Engineer Careers & Degrees
- Colorado Technical University - Undergraduate: Undergraduate - Online
A civil engineer use their knowledge of the load-bearing capacity of certain materials to determine what best to use for a new bridge construction, so that we can cross rivers without issue.
You’re able to clean your bathroom so easily thanks to chemical engineers, and their knowledge of chemical solvents and their reactions. And we wouldn’t be able to get from San Francisco to New York in less than a day if aeronautical engineers hadn’t figured out how to harness air pressure to allow us to fly.
Clearly, there are a variety of areas in which engineers can work. Some work in the design and development of new solutions to problems. Others work testing existing setups and paradigms, or maintaining existing technology.
Still other chemical engineers work in production, supervising production lines and determining causes of product failure.
There are also, obviously, a wide range of fields in which engineers can specialize. Ranging from chemical engineers to software engineers, aerospace engineers to biomedical engineersif there’s a field of study for it, chances are there are engineers working on it.
Engineer Careers Path
A bachelor’s degree in engineering is required for nearly all entry-level engineering jobs. Occasionally, workers with degrees in other physical science fields may qualify for engineering positions, but this is relatively rare.
Engineering degrees teach not only core mathematical and physical principles, but also key techniques and concepts in the specific engineering field the degree is concerning, which are often applicable to related engineering fields as well. Graduate training in engineering is essential for higher-level engineering positions and research positions.
Further, all engineers in the US are required to gain a professional engineer (PE) licensure. A four-year degree from an accredited institution, four years’ experience, and the successful completion of a state examination are required for the PE license.
Engineer Careers: Compatible Personality Traits
Detail-oriented, excellent quantitative abilities, analytical, inquisitive, creative, strong problem-solving skills, ability to communicate and work with a wide range of people
Engineer Careers: Salary Expectations
Engineers can earn a wide range of salaries, depending on their area of specialty. For example, the median salary for agricultural engineers is approximately $69,000, while the median salary for petroleum engineers is just over $108,000.
Engineers tend to earn among the highest starting salaries out of college of any industry. Entry-level petroleum engineers earn an average of $83,000 annually, first-year mechanical engineers earn an average of $59,000, and civil engineers average a starting salary of about $52,000 per year.
Engineer Careers: Job Outlook
Engineering jobs are projected to grow about on pace with the national average for all occupations, however, the numbers will vary by specialty.
Biomedical engineers, for instance, are expected to see massive job growth, while chemical engineers are expected to see a slight decline. Environmental, civil, industrial, and petroleum engineers are all expected to see the highest gains in employment numbers in the coming decade.
Engineer Associations and Resources
The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
Slightly Off the Footpath
Source: bls.gov
