Engineering CareersJob Description

Engineering CareersJob DescriptionEngineering Careers- Job DescriptionDo you like solving technical problems? Are you good at science and math? You might consider becoming an engineer. Engineers are problem solvers who use their expertise in science and math to do their jobs. They work in various branches of engineering. Lets take a look at several of them. Aerospace Engineer Designs aircraft and tests prototypes to make sure they function as designedAgricultural Engineer Solves problems related to agricultureBiomedical Engineer Designs prosthetic limbs and artificial organs, as well as the material used to manufacture themChemical Engineer Solves problems that involve the production or use of chemicalsCivil Engineer Design, builds, and supervises construction projects and systemsElectrical and Electronics Engineer Designs and tests electrical equipment and systems Environmental Engineer Solves problems in the environment Before you go any further, find out if a career in engineering is for you. Quick Facts Median annual earningsfor several branches of engineering (U.S., 2016)Electrical$94,210Civil$83,540Mechanical$84,190Environmental$84,890Nuclear$102,220Biomedical$85,620In 2016, 1.6 million people worked as engineers,according to the National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates. fruchtwein of them were electrical and electronics engineers (315,870),mechanical engineers(285,790),civil engineers(287,800), and industrial engineers (281,950).Job outlook differs by branch. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts civil and petroleum engineerswill experience employment growth that is faster than the average for all occupations through 2024 while employment ofbiomedical engineerswill increasemuchfaster than the average. Chemical, electrical and electronics, miningand geological, and mechanical engineerswill have job growth that is as fast as the average for all occupations. Employment of industrial engineers will change little or not at all and materi als engineers job growth will be slower than the average for all occupations. A Day in the Life of an Engineer What is it like to be an engineer? We found some answers by looking at typical job duties listed in employment announcements onIndeed.com Prepare roadway plans, detail drawings, project specifications, and cost estimate (Civil Engineer)Provide civil engineering and design support for large earth structures including dams, landfills, mining projects, and power projects (Civil Engineer)Design and execute engineering experiments, and statistical parameter control (Mechanical Engineer)Prepare engineering calculations, diagrams,and technical reports (Electrical Engineer)Write technical and regulatory documents in compliance with quality management system (Biomedical Engineer) Oversee and manage the setup, performance, and reporting of the laboratory testing. Ensure that projects are completed on schedule and within budgetary constraints (Environmental Engineer)Document and present analysis results to technical leads, management and/or customers (Aerospace Engineer)Research, draft, and coordinate acquisition packages for materials being purchased or upgraded (Materials Engineer) How to Become an Engineer To get an entry-level job, you will need a bachelors degree in engineering. Sometimes a college degree in physical science or mathematicswill suffice, especially in high-demand specialties. Some students specialize in a particular branch of engineering but then work in a related one. You will have to get a state-issuedlicenseif you want to offer your services directly to the public. Doing this will allow you to be called a Professional Engineer (PE).To become licensed your college degree must come from a program that is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). You also need four years of relevant work experience and must pass a state exam. Requirements vary by state. WhatSoft Skills You Need In addition to yo ur education and an aptitude for math and science, you also need specificsoft skills, or personal qualities, to succeed in this occupation. Active Listeningand Verbal Communication These communication skills are essential for working on teams, which will be a significant part of your job.Critical Thinking You will need to use logic when testing products and solving problems.Reading Comprehension You must have the ability to understand written documentation.Active Learning You must be able to incorporate new findings into your work. How Engineers Advance in Their Careers After entry-level engineers gain experience and knowledge, they may work more independently, making decisions, developing designs, and solving problems. With further experience, they may become technical specialists or supervisors over a staff or team of engineers or technicians. Eventually, they may become engineering managers or may move into other managerial or sales jobs. What Employers Expect From You To find out what qualities,in addition to education and technical skills,employers were looking for when hiring engineers, we again turned to Indeed.com. Heres what we found Strong communication and interpersonal skills arerequiredAbility to organize work and deliver on time work productsGoal-oriented, able to set goals and achieve themAbility to take ownership of assigned tasks in a timely manner, and learn new principle ideas and conceptsOrganized, self-motivated, and detail-oriented, with the ability to adapt quickly in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environmentAbility to read and interpret product drawings Is This Occupation a Good Fit for You? Yourinterests,personality type, andwork-related valuesare some of the factors that will determine whether being an engineer is a good fit for you. This career is suitable for people who have the following traits Interests(Holland Code) RIC (Realistic, Investigative, Conventional)Personality TypeMyers Briggs Personality Type Indicator (MB TI) ENTJ, INTJ, ESTJ, ISTJ, ESTPWork-Related Values Independence, Working Conditions, Achievement, Recognition