There are a number of branches of engineering and some like civil, mechanical, chemical, electrical and aerospace are highly popular. Regardless of the branch you may be interested in, becoming an engineer takes a lot of dedication and hard work. If you are interested in engineering as a career, you first need to research the different options at your disposal. Some diverse engineering specialties that you can work in are:
• Aerospace Engineering
Designing, production and testing of airborne vehicles and machines is the foundation of aerospace engineering. As an engineer in this specialty, you may have to design parts for satellites, missiles, rockets and airplanes and then test the air vehicles under several conditions.
• Architectural Engineering
The job of an architectural engineer is to assist architects in designing buildings. While the aesthetics and function of the building is the responsibility of the architect, the engineers are responsible for making the design efficient in its utility needs and physically sound. Green buildings that want to obtain LEED certification are heavily dependent on architectural engineers.
• Bio-engineering
The integration of medicine, biology and engineering for enhancing knowledge and improving human health is bioengineering. Healthcare devices and instruments that can be used for the treatment of diseases are designed by engineers. An excellent example of this engineering is prosthetics, which are customized for each patient.
• Chemical Engineering
The designing and creation of chemicals for serving customer and industrial purposes fall under chemical engineering. The properties of chemicals have to be studied by a chemical engineer to find out its uses. Different aspects of lives are touched by this form of engineering such as food, medicine, construction and industry.
• Civil Engineering
The design of large scale projects that meet the need of communities fall under the head of civil engineering. Some of these projects like bridges, dams, transit systems and roads need engineers to study the use and impact of public projects for providing the best design that is in accordance with the needs of the community.
• Computer and Software Engineer
Developing computer technology for meeting the needs of a user is the job of a computer and software engineer. Servers, computers and communication systems between users are designed by hardware engineer whereas software engineering involves the creation of programs and applications for coming up with new ways of using hardware in order to fulfill the practical needs of the users.
• Environmental Engineers
The combination of chemistry and biology for developing solutions to various environmental problems is defined as environmental engineering. Problems like water and air pollution are tackled by environmental engineers and they develop systems that can eradicate and prevent the sources of pollution. The environmental engineering field has grown rapidly because of environmental consciousness and the growth of green industries.
• Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
Factories can be structured in a better way with the help of industrial and manufacturing engineers and they improve production. They design equipment and systems for building projects. It is their job to figure out how factories should be laid out and the machines that should be used for boosting efficiency.
• Electrical Engineering
As the name indicates, electrical engineers develop products that use electricity and other electrical systems. Electrical engineers work in developing a variety of high tech products. When you become an electrical engineer, you may have to work with engineers in other fields of design as well.
• Material Engineering
The development of new materials for meeting the needs of the industry and business is called material engineering. The materials can range from fabrics, plastics, ceramics and metal. Jobs of a material engineer can be found in high tech industries, manufacturing and construction. These engineers combine physics, material science and chemistry.
• Mechanical Engineering
Creating devices and machines is the job of mechanical engineers and it is the oldest and broadest field in the engineering industry. These engineers design manufactured goods by combining chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics and other science field for creating machines that work for mankind.
• Nuclear Engineering
Working and developing devices and systems that use nuclear radiation and energy for performing tasks is the responsibility of nuclear engineers. These engineers are needed in a horde of industries such as space travel, military, healthcare, energy and advanced research.
Before selecting one of the fields in engineering, you have to decide if you have what is needed for becoming an engineer. You have to have a college degree in engineering for becoming a professional. You should always apply to schools that have strong engineering programs in the area you are interested in. Bear in mind that the environment is highly competitive and seats are rather limited. You have to get good grades once you have enrolled in an engineering program. The first and second years are quite tough so outside employment is discouraged during this time because studies have to be the primary focus.
In the third, fourth or fifth year of engineering programs, you will be offered co-ops. Most of them are paid, but there may be unpaid ones. It is important to secure high grades in order to get a co-op. This can go a long way into getting you the related and valid work experience you need for entering the job market and it can help you in getting a job after graduation. When you are near the end of your program, you can seek the assistance of the career development center of your college. They will be able to help you in designing a good resume and direct you to internships and co-ops. This eventually aids you in applying for jobs in the engineering field after you have become qualified.
You can also join a professional engineering association or society, which caters to your particular interest. A large number of networking opportunities are offered by professional organizations, which are excellent for you, whether you are seeking employment or want to advance your career further in the field of engineering. You can be a good engineer as long as you utilize practical knowledge, science and mathematics for solving problems.
