Become an Engineer

Engineers research and develop solutions to technical problems by applying the theories and principles of science and mathematics. The branches of engineering include:

• Aerospace
• Agricultural
• Biomedical
• Chemical
• Civil
• Computer Hardware
• Electrical and Electronics
• Environmental
• Industrial
• Materials
• Mechanical
• Mining and Geological
• Nuclear
• Petroleum

Engineers who work in design and development:

• design, plan, and supervise the construction of buildings, highways, and transit systems;
• develop and implement improved ways to extract, process, and use raw materials;
• develop new materials that both improve the performance of products and take advantage of advances in technology;
• analyze the impact of the products they develop or the systems they design on the environment and on people using them;

Engineers who work in testing, production, or maintenance:

• supervise production in factories;
• determine the causes of breakdowns;
• test manufactured products to maintain quality;
• estimate the time and cost to complete projects;

Education & Training for Engineers

To get an entry-level engineering job, one usually needs a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Sometimes a bachelor’s degree in physical science or mathematics may suffice, especially in high-demand specialties. Generally engineering students specialize in a particular branch of engineering but may eventually work in a related branch.