7 Engineering Careers You Can Pursue

If you’re thinking about a career in engineering, know that you’re making a great choice. The world will always need knowledgeable and talented engineers to make the world a better, safer place.

Wanting to be an engineer is the first step. But the term “engineer” is pretty generic, and there are lots of subspecialties within the field. It’s important to choose a type of engineering that you find interesting so that you can enjoy a satisfying career.

Companies hire engineers for a wide range of jobs. Note, that sometimes they require passing the Mechanical Aptitude test. There are 7 types of engineering careers you can pursue and these have been described in detail below.

What Does An Engineer Make These Days Anyway?

Many people get into engineering because they know that demand from employers is high and salaries tend to be competitive. But what are engineers really making these days?

Good news for those interested in STEM careers: the median salary in science and engineering was more than double the median salary for the workforce as a whole in 2017. Engineers and scientists made a median salary of $85,390, with some engineers making much more. Those numbers may be from a few years ago, but salaries remain high for engineers.

Options for Engineering Careers

Engineers are problem-solvers, and there are many different types of companies employing engineers to reach their business goals. It’s up to you to decide what kind of company to work for—the possibilities are nearly endless! Here are 7 great options.

1. Civil Engineering

Civil engineers are tasked with bringing projects like bridges, roads, and structures to life. They interpret blueprints and solve problems throughout the construction process. It’s important for civil engineers to have in-depth knowledge of construction so they can ensure that the design is viable and built to the specifications of the blueprint. Some civil engineers also create new technology to be used in construction and infrastructure.

Civil engineers can work for specialized consulting firms, construction companies, government agencies, and more. There are lots of opportunities for civil engineers as the world grapples with urbanization and complex infrastructure challenges.

2. Environmental Engineering

Since the beginning of industrialization, the health of the environment has been a concern and a relatively new field of engineering has emerged to help offset human environmental destruction. Climate change is one of the world’s most pressing problems at the moment and has spurred more companies to hire environmental engineers and make projects more sustainable.

Environmental engineers work at many different types of companies, developing new technologies for sustainability, monitoring air and water quality, and evaluating or overseeing projects to make them more sustainable. They may work at private companies or government agencies.

3. Electrical Engineering

Just about every industry requires the services of electrical engineers. They work to design and develop all kinds of equipment and systems that use electricity. They also develop safety protocols for working with electrical current.

engineering career path

Electrical engineers may work in manufacturing, utilities, and technology. They also work for organizations and agencies that work with flight, satellite, and sonar systems.

4. Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineers develop technology that has moving parts. These devices and systems can include sensors, charging stations, medical devices, and much, much more. Some mechanical engineers oversee manufacturing and analyze equipment failures.

Just like electrical engineers, mechanical engineers can work in a wide range of companies and settings. Corporations, manufacturers, utility and renewable energy companies, and many other organizations hire mechanical engineers.

5. Aerospace Engineerin

Engineers who love flight will excel in aerospace engineering. These engineers develop and maintain aircraft, spacecraft, and aerial weapons. Some work in research, while others maintain and test equipment.

Generally, aerospace engineers work for companies in the commercial flight or military fields. Some aerospace engineers work for companies developing commercial drones as well.

6. Chemical Engineering

Many of the products we use in our daily lives are the direct result of the work done by chemical engineers. They create food, medicine, cleaning products, and other things we depend on out of raw materials.

Chemical engineers typically work in laboratories and might be employed by companies in a huge range of industries. Food and consumer goods, manufacturing, and research and development organizations often require the skills of chemical engineers.

7. Computer Engineering

Computer engineering has exploded in the past few years as computers have become ever more important in our daily lives. Engineers in this field can work in hardware, software, of networking to develop the technology we depend on.

Today, nearly all companies use computers for their daily operations. Computer engineers can work for technology companies, corporations, and anywhere else complex computer systems are used.

Choose What Interests You!

Demand is high for trained engineers. If you want to build a career you’ll enjoy for years to come, think carefully about what kind of engineering you want to pursue. Follow your interests! Companies all over the world need people with the specialized knowledge that engineers possess.

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