Engineering requires skillful and practical knowledge. Examples of their work can be seen throughout our everyday lives, from the highway that we drive on daily, to the airplanes that travel across the world. Engineering involves scientific, mathematical, and basic knowledge of how things work, in order to improve building structures, machines, and systematic materials. A wide range of engineering careers are available, and are generally categorized as civil, chemical, mechanical and electrical. Several subcategories also exist, allowing for a more enhanced, designated field of engineering work.
Civil Engineering
A career in civil engineering consists of administering the design and construction of buildings, bridges and infrastructures. Your job may be within the public or private sector, and will involve the design strategy and safety aspects of creating the things needed in order for the civilized world to run efficiently, effectively and safely. Civil engineers will construct: highways, bridges, skyscrapers, tunnels, waterways, and various other projects. Engineering jobs within this field are reporting an average annual salary of $75,000.
Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineers are responsible for chemical processing. Our whole world is made up of chemicals, from the gasoline we use in our cars, the plastic bottle that holds our drink, to the medicines we take to improve our health. Engineering jobs in the chemical field may also work in the environmental field. Environmental engineers help to protect our planet by creating new and cleaner fuel types, projecting environmental impacts, and studying the effects of chemicals within and around our environment, such as paints, fertilizers and medicines. Jobs in the environmental area are consistently increasing, and an average salary is typically $77,000 or more, per year.
Mechanical Engineering
Careers in mechanical engineering can offer a wide variety of options, because mechanical engineering is used in nearly every area of technology. Mechanical engineering jobs entail the designing, building and evaluating of machines, engines, and any other mechanical devices. Your engineering career could expand to aerospace engineering, computer engineering, and even biomedical engineering. Jobs may include the construction of children’s toys, creating medical equipment necessary to save lives, or developing aircraft carriers. The median pay with a career in mechanical engineering is $60,000 annually.
Electrical Engineering
The largest field in engineering is electrical engineering. A career in electrical engineering requires problem solving skills and creativity, as well as the use of technology, science and design. Electrical engineering jobs will design and maintain electrical and electronic systems. With the use of computers, electronic systems, and digital devices, electrical engineering is a growing career field. Information systems will only expand and improve, so the demand for jobs in electrical engineering is high, and predicted to stay on the rise. Jobs may include the design of innovative wireless communications or computer networks, developing new roller coasters or city power grids, or perhaps robotics and other new, inventive technological conceptions. Salaries for electrical engineers can range from $60,000 up to $102,000.
Education
To become an engineer you will need a bachelor’s level degree. Commonly, in a four year program, you will take a broad range of courses your first two years of studies. These courses include: math, science, social and economic studies, and introductory engineering courses. Throughout the first few years of schooling you should be able to explore and review the many types of engineering careers available, and find which appeal to you and your skills. The final two years of schooling will focus on your specific area of interest.
Several subcategories of engineering exist:
- Aerospace Engineering – $50,000 to $115,000
- Agricultural and Biological Engineering – $37,000 to $85,000
- Audio Engineering – $20,000 to $102,000
- Bioengineering and Biochemical Engineering – $40,000 to $145,000
- Biomedical Engineering – $38,000 to $95,000
- Ceramics and Materials Engineering – $45,000 to $95,000
- Computer Engineering – $40,000 to $101,000
- Environmental Engineering – $42,000 to $92,000
- Geological and Geophysical Engineering – $40,000 to $200,000
- Industrial Engineering – Salary range of $48,000 to $110,000
- Manufacturing Engineering – $52,000 to $71,000
- Marine and Ocean Engineering – $52,000 to $114,000
- Mining Engineering – $53,000 to $101,000
- Nuclear Engineering – $53,000 to $125,000
- Petroleum Engineering – $61,000 to $181,000
Some graduates will also obtain their Professional Engineer license, or P.E. license. The license is an approval of your credentials by the state and qualifies you as a professional engineer.
Look around and you can see the many instances of the positive effects engineering has on our lives, and our world. The preservations made to our environment, the life-saving equipment and technology, and the designs of cost effective, safely structured buildings is just a few of the everyday tasks of engineering jobs. Engineering careers are pursued to help prevent accidents and diseases, protect our well-being and health, and improve our overall quality of living. As an engineer you can truly save lives and protect the world.