Engineering is the art of applying scientific and mathematical principles, experience, judgment, and common sense, to the economical solution of practical technical problems. Usually an engineer's work is the link between a scientific discovery and its commercial application. Engineers design machinery, products, systems, and processes for efficient and economical performance.
Engineers consider many factors in developing a new product. For example, in developing an industrial robot, they determine precisely what function it needs to perform; design and test components; fit them together in an integrated plan; and evaluate the design's overall effectiveness, cost, reliability, and safety. This process applies to products as different as rocket engines, chemicals, computers, planes, and toys.
In addition to design and development, many engineers work in testing, production, or maintenance. They supervise production in factories, determine the causes of breakdowns, and test manufactured products to maintain quality. They also estimate the time and cost to complete projects. Some work in engineering management or in sales, where an engineering background enables them to discuss the technical aspects of a product and assist in planning its installation or use.
Types of Engineers
Engineers have many different types of jobs to choose from, including research, design, analysis, development, testing, and sales positions. If you are interested in discovering new knowledge, you might consider a career as a research engineer. If you are imaginative and creative, design engineering may be for you. The work of analytical engineers most closely resembles what you do in your mathematics and science classes. If you like laboratory courses and conducting experiments, look into becoming a development engineer. Sales engineering could be a good choice if you are persuasive and like working with people. Engineering work is also organized by major fields of study.
BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING: Engineers are trained to apply techniques of mathematics and science to solving problems in medicine and biology. Engineers investigate genetic engineering, tumor biology, cellular processes, design and materials of prosthetic devices, new ways of taking images of the human body, and a wide range of other aspects of both biology and other engineering disciplines.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING: These engineers must apply the principles of both mathematics and chemistry to solve problems, create materials, and design complex chemical systems. Chemical engineers create drug delivery systems, numerical models for atmospheric pollution problems, as well as magnetic and electronic materials. Not only do chemical and petroleum manufacturers employ them, but chemical engineers also find work in firms that produce drugs, plastics, paints, magnetic tapes, and synthetic fuels.
CIVIL ENGINEERING: The roads, dams, bridges, water treatment plants and all other public projects that affect society's daily life are developed by civil engineers. Civil engineers also perform the structural design and analysis of buildings, such as skyscrapers. Other areas of civil engineering include construction project management, construction automation, environmental engineering, traffic analysis, and mechanics of materials.
ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING: Electrical engineers explore electrical phenomena, such as determining the best methods of getting information from one place to another, and building robots that can electronically sense their surroundings. Electrical engineers design products that meet human needs for today and tomorrow-huge power-generating systems in dams as well as the tiny electronic circuits that keep spacecraft on correct trajectory a billion miles from Earth. They create the electronic components that run TVs, stereo systems, and automated factories and seek ways to improve the transmission of messages by laser beams. Computer engineers are involved with digital technologies like computer hardware and the development of more efficient circuitry on silicon computer chips.
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING: Mechanical engineers work with about anything that has integrated, moveable parts. They draw on knowledge from every other branch of engineering, and work on a variety of projects: rocket engines, automobile transmissions, oil pipelines, designing prosthetic devices, efficient heating, ventilation or refrigeration systems, and robotics.
MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING: Engineers in this field develop new ways to produce and process materials such as metals, ceramics, glasses, polymers, and semiconductors. They study how materials react under various conditions and contribute to the development of innovative products like ceramic parts for automobile engines, heat shields on space vehicles, and medical prosthetic devices.
There are many other types of engineers that fall into the above categories: Acoustic engineering, Automotive engineering, Aerospace engineering (Aero or Astronautical), Agricultural engineering, Architectural engineering, Bio-mechanical, Bio-chemical, Ceramic engineering Computer engineering, Environmental engineering, Fire protection engineering, Geological engineering, Geothermal engineering, Heating, Ventilating, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration engineering, Industrial engineering, Manufacturing engineering, Metallurgy, Mineral and Mining engineering, Naval engineering, Nuclear engineering, Ocean engineering, Optical engineering, Plant engineering, Plastics engineering, Robotics and Automated systems engineering, Safety engineering, Software engineering, Transportation engineering.
Is Engineering a Field for You?
Potential engineers usually demonstrate the following qualities in high school: They enjoy solving problems in math and science. (Try not to equate your enjoyment of the subject matter to the teacher or your grade.) They are logical and answer-oriented. They enjoy lab work and group work. If you have any or all of the characteristics, then engineering may be the field for you.
High School Preparation
As a high school student you have to start to prepare yourself to become an engineer. Take as many math and science courses as you can: Algebra I and II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Math Analysis, Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, Physics. Gain experience with computers at school or at home. Don't neglect your English and foreign language classes. Engineers must communicate their work to others through written reports and speaking. Get involved in some extracurricular activities. You don't have to be a bookworm to be an engineer, and you will gain organizational and teamwork experience. Colleges look for well-rounded students.
College
A minimum of a bachelor's degree in engineering is typically required for beginning engineering jobs. College graduates with a degree in a physical science or mathematics may occasionally qualify for some engineering jobs, especially in engineering specialties in high demand. Many colleges and universities offer engineering curriculum, however, not all specialties are available at all schools. An engineering education is available through:
A four- or five-year accredited college or university program
Two years in a community college engineering transfer program plus two or three years in an engineering program at an accredited college or university
Three years in a science or mathematics major and two years in engineering
Five to six years in an engineering co-op program (A co-op program allows students to attend classes for a portion of the year and then work in an engineering-related job for the remainder of the year. They graduate with valuable work experience sought by employers.); or
Eight to ten years as an evening engineering student.
In a typical 4-year college curriculum, the first 2 years are spent studying basic sciences (mathematics, physics, and chemistry), introductory engineering, and the humanities, social sciences, and English. In the last 2 years, most courses are in engineering, usually with a concentration in one branch. For example, the last 2 years of an aerospace program might include courses such as fluid mechanics, heat transfer, applied aerodynamics, analytical mechanics, flight vehicle design, trajectory dynamics, and aerospace propulsion systems. Some programs offer a general engineering curriculum; students then specialize in graduate school or on the job.
How do I pay for college?
Through a combination of: Part-time employment and summer jobs; Scholarships and grants; Loans from the school; a bank, or family; Special programs such as ROTC or veteran's benefits; Co-op and work-study programs. Money is available from a number of sources, be sure to talk to your school counselor for help in finding what is right for you.
What is the career outlook? How much money will I make as an Engineer?
There are over 1.4 million engineers working in the United States today. Engineering is the nation's second largest profession. As a very diversified profession, engineering jobs are found in a wide variety of types of industries, however your engineering specialization may determine such things as the geographic area where work may be found, salaries and job conditions. Engineers earn considerably more than other people who enter a career path with just a bachelor's degree, sometimes this can be as much as 75% to 100% more per month, depending on geographic location and engineering specialty. At Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne in 2004, starting engineers earn more than $47,000 and may earn up to $175,000 per year.
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