If you like to understand how things work, finding solutions to complex problems, have good critical and analytical thinking and have no problem with math and science, pursuing an Engineering degree might be just right for you! Still don’t know where to start? No worries! Our guide will help you get started on your journey towards a fascinating career with an Engineering degree.
What is Engineering?
Simply put, engineering is essentially creating new innovative solutions for existing problems or building of new solutions through using math and science. Structures, machines, devices, systems and processes - you’ll get chance to work with all of that if you decide to become an engineer. If you think about it, everything in your life is a by product of engineering - from your iPhones, to bridges, cars and your laptop. Just imagine, without engineers, you wouldn’t be able to send a tweet, Skype call a buddy or text your cousin in America for free via chat apps.
What Are the Fields of Engineering?
Mechanical Engineering
This Engineering class is the oldest and broadest subject because every tool we have utilised since our first records are related to Mechanical Engineering.
Students who pursue Mechanical Engineering are usually passionate about the design, manufacturing and maintenance process of mechanical devices and systems to innovate or improve on its technology.
Specialisations: static dynamics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, stress analysis, mechanical design and technical drawing.
Civil Engineering
Civil Engineers focus on designing and developing infrastructure through computer-aided designing. Minor projects may include the development of roads and buildings to major nationwide transport networks or water supply systems.
Students who pursue Civil Engineering are usually passionate about mechanics, hydraulics, geotechnics, materials science and statistical analysis of simple and complex systems.
Specialisations: structural engineering, architectural engineering, transportation engineering, geotechnical engineering, environmental engineering and hydraulic engineering.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering deals with the application of large-scale to small-scale production and supply of electrical power. When this study is combined with computer science, students will be able to specialise in Computer Engineering, which includes understanding network security and the refinement of computer graphics.
Students who pursue Electrical Engineering are usually passionate in the operations of electrical devices or electrical systems and want to help improve and power technological developments.
Specialisations: power generation and supply, communications and media, computer systems and robotic systems.
Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering is directly related to nature as it uses chemical and biological processes to produce useful materials and substances for our everyday living, from fuel to food.
Students who pursue Chemical Engineering should be interested in various chemical processes or other sciences, as this subject may include the use of physics, chemistry and biology with knowledge in mathematics and economics.
Specialisations: chemical reaction engineering, plant design, process engineering, process design, and transport phenomena.
Why Should You Study Engineering?
1. You like to solve problems
And not problems like, what to eat for dinner or how to write a paper one night before the deadline. It’s real-world big problems, for which the solutions could improve lives of thousands of people around the globe. If you like building, fixing and improving things, you should consider studying Engineering. You’ll get a chance to learn how to create technologies and products from household devices to robots and artificial intelligence.
2. You want to challenge yourself and constantly develop
Pursuing an Engineering degree is challenging. Ask anyone who’s been there and you’re likely to hear about the sheer amount of hard work and challenges faced. Of course, there’s a brighter side as well. You will master your analytical and critical thinking, create new ways to solve problems that may occur in your career or even your own life. Just think about it, that’s a great skill to have.
3. Great career opportunities
Strong analytical thinking, creative problem-solving skills and great logical thought process- these are enviable skill sets that employers from any industry will appreciate. As an engineer you can choose to work in many engineering related industries like telecommunication or oil & gas, and even more that that, nowadays you can find engineering graduates in business fields like finance, investment banking or management consulting.
4. Gain “hard” skills and confidence about your abilities
You know what all the humanities graduates think after leaving the uni? What can I do that companies can pay me for? And that’s not because they’re stupid. It’s mainly because they rarely have hard skills to be proud of. Yes, maybe they are creative, have good communication skills and good in team players. At the most - maybe they can write well. But it’s not the case for engineering graduates. You’ll have a lot of practical classes and assignments during your studies as well as internships in the “field”. That’s where you learn how to actually create new things or improve existing processes.
Are You Ready to Study Engineering?
So, do you think that Engineering might be the right choice for you? Before going online to apply for studies, take a second to define if you have next traits and skills that would make your path in Engineering much more pleasant and enjoyable.
1. Love for mathematics
Math is the mother of all sciences. It’s the most basic yet most important subject to learn to become successful when you study Engineering courses.
2. Logical and analytical thinking
Yes, this one is important. In order to do your job - solve complex problems - you have to be able to break the problem into peaces, understand each of them and based on that create a new approach how to solve it. That’s about it.
3. Creative thinking
Hey, not only marketeers need to think creatively, engineers need it as well! How else do you think they would solve problems otherwise? Engineering is not only about math and numbers. You’ll have some fun coming up with creative ideas and thinking “outside the box” in order to deliver solutions as well.
4. Persistence and determination to learn and work hard
As I told you before, you’ll have to study hard! And I’m serious, that’s not a joke :)
You’ll need to understand concepts to be able to apply them to the real life situations. That means, that you have to do everything that it takes, which may sometimes mean hours and hours of studies.
If after all the scary stuff you are still confident that Engineering is the best career for you, congrats with your choice. It’s certainly a good decision and good luck in your studies!
What is the Expected Salary?
|
Director of Engineering Per year |
Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Per year |
Civil Engineer Per year |
Senior Electrical Engineer Per year |
Entry level |
US$ 112,000 |
US$ 102,000 |
US$ 58,000 |
US$ 86,000 |
Mid-career |
US$ 127,000 |
US$ 125,000 |
US$ 72,000 |
US$ 96,000 |
Executive |
US$ 150,000 |
US$ 166,000 |
US$ 83,000 |
US$ 104,000 |
Senior |
US$ 153,000 |
US$ 189,000 |
US$ 95,000 |
US$ 114,000 |
(Source: Payscale)
Top 10 Engineering Schools
According to the QS World Ranking, the following institutions are among the top 10 Engineering Schools in the world