Gaining Entry to the Engineering Profession

Engineering is a profession that applies scientific principles to solve problems. Engineers are present in nearly every industry, and their work can range from the purely theoretical to the hand-on practical. Engineers design, analyze, build, test, and validate. To become an engineer, the requirements are an engineering secondary education and in some cases a state license.

Engineering Education.

The foundation of an engineering education is a four-year bachelor's of science (BS) degree. A BS degree provides the student with a general base of courses within his specific branch of engineering and allows the student to explore a focus area within that major. Master's (MS) and doctorate (ScD or PhD) degrees in engineering are available as well, allowing engineers to focus on a more specialized topic within their discipline. Many public universities have engineering programs, and some private universities focus solely on engineering. Financing an engineering education can be a challenge, but because of the higher than average salaries of engineering jobs, the investment is considered fairly safe.

An undergraduate engineering education generally begins with a base in math and science courses. General engineering courses then follow, and then more specialized courses are undertaken in the junior and senior years. Most engineering curricula also include a senior project that allows the student to apply the learned material to a practical application.

Many engineers will also pursue a management degree, such as an MBA, to give them the tools needed to manage an engineering company, whether it's a small start-up firm or an engineering division within a global company.

Engineering Certification

For some applications, engineering certification is required to show proof of competency. Certification is not required for all branches of engineering, and is generally focused on the civil and mechanical engineering branches for projects that involve public safety. Engineering certification is a state-based registration process that qualifies the capabilities of an engineer within his field. an engineer who has been certified gains the title Professional Engineer (PE) and qualifies them for projects and positions that require certification

Requirements for certification can vary between states, so an engineer interested in becoming certified should review the requirements for his home state. After certification has been attained, an engineer must maintain that certification through annual renewals and professional development.

Engineering Jobs

The job search for the engineering profession is much like any other industry, but the technical nature of the discipline puts a greater emphasis on education and technical experience than other industries. Engineering jobs generally provide an above average salary for a 4-year degree, with even higher salaries paid for engineers with advanced degrees or management degrees. When interviewing for an engineering position, candidates should be aware that they will likely speak with technical, management, and human resources personnel, so they should tailor their experience to their audience.

The nature of an engineering job can depend on the industry, branch of engineering, and tasks that the engineer undertakes. Some engineers spend a significant time in the field at work sites, while other engineers do their work solely at a computer, and others may spend time in a laboratory setting.