“You are valuable. Don’t let anyone make you believe differently” (unknown)
For our post this month, we are going to take a look at the field of engineering. It’s a profession that can be challenging and rewarding and also one that various organizations and government entities are trying to encourage our youth to consider as a possible career choice for themselves. Just take a look at the video below to see what companies such as Ford Motor Company is doing to get young people to see themselves as the future workers in Science, Technology, Art, Engineering and Math (STEAM).
So what is engineering or what does it mean to be an engineer? Engineering is the process of taking scientific and mathematical knowledge and using it to improve the living condition of everyday people. People who are trained as engineers are responsible for designing, testing, modifying, improving, and maintaining products and systems that are used in our everyday living environment. The work of an engineer touches almost every aspect of our lives, whether it is the car we drive, the plane we fly on, the food we eat, the home we live in, the medical treatment we receive, the cell phone we use, or the entertainment we enjoy. Engineers impact nearly every aspect of our daily life. Engineers look at how the world is currently functioning in terms of the devices, machinery, and methods currently being used and use their skills to improve on current devices/methods or create new ones that will impact a person’s life for the good.
In order to be an engineer, one will need to develop an aptitude for science and mathematics. Please note that I used the phrase “develop an aptitude” because one does not need to be a math or science genius or prodigy to succeed as an engineer or even succeed as a scientist or mathematician. The aptitude I am referring to can be obtained through courses that students take while in middle and high school. Therefore parents, please make sure that your child is taking full advantage of as many mathematics and science courses as they possible can at the middle and high school level (this would include advance placement courses as well). These courses should include algebra, geometry, calculus, trigonometry, biology, physics, and chemistry.
***Note to Parents***: Please remember, that a child’s acceleration in the field of science and mathematics is not due to the fact that he/she belongs to a certain race or nationality, but rather it is due to exposure. So make sure your child is exposed to science and mathematics as much as possible, because not only is it going to affect them becoming an engineer but also their ability to train for other professions.
There are a number of specialty areas within the field of engineering and what we want to do below is give a brief glimpse into some of those specialties. Please remember that regardless of the specialty, an individual will have to obtain a bachelor’s degree in the field of engineering in order to become employed. That bachelor’s degree would most like be in the specialty area that one is looking to be employed in.
Aerospace Engineer
These are engineers who are basically responsible for designing aircraft, spacecraft, satellites and missiles. Aerospace engineers can further be classified as either an aeronautical engineer who works mainly with aircraft or an astronautical engineer whose work will revolve around spacecrafts. Some of the duties of an aerospace engineer would include:
- Developing the design of aircraft and aerospace products and overseeing the manufacturing and testing of those devices.
- Ensuring that quality standards are met in the design and manufacturing.
- Testing products to determine what is not operating properly and coming up with possible solutions to correct the problem.
To become employed as an aerospace engineer will require that one obtain a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or another field of engineering or science related to aerospace systems..
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for an aerospace engineer as of May 2016 was $109,650. BLS also predicts that the job growth rate for this engineering specialty will decline by 2% between the years of 2014 and 2024. However, research has also shown that 25% of today’s aerospace engineers are over the age of 55, which should open opportunities for the hiring of younger aerospace engineers as older workers retire.
Biomedical Engineer
These are the professionals who take engineering principles and apply them along with biology and medicine to design devices that will improve patient care. They are responsible for designing medical equipment such as MRI and microscopic surgical machines, as well as artificial organs and prosthesis. In addition to designing equipment and devices, biomedical engineers also assist in the installation, maintenance and repair of medical machines and equipment and provide the necessary technical support for it’s maintenance.
To become a biomedical engineer, one would need to obtain a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering or bio-engineering.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the growth rate for biomedical engineer will be around 23% between the years of 2014 and 2024. This would add approximately 5,100 new jobs in this field. The growth is due to the aging baby-boomer population and the increase need that this population will have for biomedical devices and procedures.
The median salary for biomedical engineers as of May 2016 was $85,620.
Civil Engineer
These professionals are the ones who design and supervise construction projects such as for roads and super highways, bridges, dams, tunnels, buildings , airports , water supply and sewage treatment facilities, etc. Some of the duties of a civil engineer according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics are as follows:
- analyze survey reports, maps and other data related to planning a project
- consider project cost, government regulations, potential environmental hazards and other factors that may impact a project
- test building supplies such as concrete, asphalt , steel, etc. that may be used in a project
- use design software to help them plan and design various structures and system.
In order to become a civil engineer will require that one obtain a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or civil engineering technology.
According to the BLS, the job growth rate for Civil Engineers between the years of 2014 and 2024 is projected to be at 8%, which will add about 23,600 new jobs during that time period.
The average salary for civil engineers as of May 2016 was $83,540.
Computer Engineer
Computer engineers are involved in the design, creation, development, and maintenance of computer hardware and software. Their involvement would include that of design of circuit boards, computer chips, processors, memory boards, routers, keyboards, modems, etc., which is basically the job of the computer hardware engineer. Another component of computer engineering is that of a computer software engineer, which is also referred to as a software developer. What they do is create and test software that instruct the computer hardware as to how it should function.
Anyone interested in becoming a computer engineer would need to obtain a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering. Since the profession is so closely aligned to that of electrical engineering and computer science, a bachelor’s degree in either of these disciplines should also prove helpful in preparing one for entry into the field.
Professionals in the computer engineering field are well paid for their service. Computer hardware engineers made an average salary, as of May 2016, of $115,080. Computer software engineers made an average salary of $102,280.
The demand for computer software engineer is expected to be higher than it is for computer hardware engineer. Between the years of 2014 and 2024, computer software engineering is expected to grow by 17%, adding approximately 186,600 new jobs in the profession. For computer hardware engineers, the job growth is projected to be at 3%, adding just 2,400 new jobs.
Mechanical Engineer
To be a mechanical engineer means that you will be involved in using the principles of science and mathematics to design , build and test mechanical devices such as engines, tools, etc. They also design power producing machines such as electric generators, refrigerators, and air-conditioning systems. As a mechanical engineer you will most likely be working as part of a team along side other engineers and professionals to provide the expertise needed to complete various projects.
Educational requirement to become a mechanical engineer would be that of obtaining a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology.
According to the BLS, the projected job growth rate for mechanical engineers, between the years of 2014 and 2024 is 5%, and will add approximately 14,600 new jobs in the profession during that time period. The average salary in 2016 was $84,190.
Petroleum Engineer
Petroleum engineers are responsible for designing equipment that is used to get oil and natural gases from beneath the earth surface. They would be involved in supervising the installation of oil field equipment and making sure that it operates properly. In addition, they will also use their expertise to find new ways to get oil and gases from older drilling wells.
Petroleum engineers are some of the highest paid engineering professionals. The BLS indicates that their average salary as of May 2016 was $128,230.
If your desire is to become a petroleum engineer and help solve the problem of oil and gas production for millions of people, then you will need to obtain a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering. A bachelor’s in mechanical or chemical engineering may also meet the educational requirements for employment in this profession as well.
Other specialty areas of engineering also include:
- Agricultural Engineering: Resolving agricultural problems such as pollution and environmental issues, crop production, farm equipment safety, etc.
- Chemical Engineering: Developing manufacturing processes and safety procedures for those working with dangerous chemicals.
- Electrical Engineering: Designing, developing, testing
- and supervising the manufacturing of electrical equipment such as communication systems, electric motors, etc.
- Environmental Engineering: Solving problems related to safe drinking water, air and water pollution, waste disposal, climate change, recycling, etc.
- Industrial Engineering: Developing and implementing efficient and cost effective systems related to production and manufacturing.
- Marine Engineering: Designing, building and maintaining ships such as aircraft carriers, boats, submarines and tankers.
- Nuclear Engineering: Developing systems and processes that can help us gain benefits from nuclear energy and radiation.
If you want be involved in work that will allow you to have a major impact on the world, then engineering may be the career for you.
Let me just reiterate to all young people that certain career paths are not reserved for a certain group of people. Regardless of who you are or what your background may be, you have the opportunity to succeed in any career path you choose. You have to have the desire and willing to put forth the effort required for success. Your racial background, gender, creed, nationality, economic background, etc. does not eliminate you from any career path. Only you can put those limitations on yourself either through your personal self-talk or by allowing other’s opinion of you to be an influencing factor. It’s up to you to decide what you want to be and then to do what is necessary to make it a reality for yourself.
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