Whether you already possess a degree in engineering or intend to get one, you should consider the many different specializations in the field. When deciding which career path to pursue, career insights can assist you in determining which jobs are the right fit for you.
Several career opportunities are available in engineering, with long-term employment stability and projected salary growth.
Evidence suggests that the engineering industry has reached its apex growth-wise, but competition will continue to be fierce. According to the BLS, the engineering field is expected to increase job growth between 2021 and 2031 by approximately 4%. This is roughly the same as the national average job growth rate across all industries.
A well-planned engineering career is crucial to avoid regrets later on, even if you’re thinking about changing careers after a few years.
Building a Successful Career in Engineering
Your education choice is often guided by the type of career you intend to pursue. Engineers can go on to earn various types of degrees, but most of them graduate with a B.Sc. in Engineering, a B.Eng., or a B. Tech. It is recommended to pair your bachelor’s degree with a master’s degree.
You have a variety of options in terms of how you wish to pursue it. One way to pursue your master’s degree is through college. Or you can opt for an online masters engineering management degree if you prefer a flexible schedule and an individualized learning environment.
Make sure you work for companies that are relevant to your career path. Suppose you are a civil engineer and wish to become a transport engineer; it would be best to seek employment with the best highway, street, and bridge construction companies.
Having covered how to begin your career with an engineering degree, let’s examine the most lucrative engineering career opportunities:
Civil Engineering Technician
An average civil engineering technician earns approximately $58,000 annually. Their duties include assisting civil engineers in planning, designing, and constructing residential, industrial, commercial, and other infrastructure projects for various purposes.
A typical assignment involves estimating the structure’s size by studying drawings, analyzing site conditions before construction, monitoring the contractor’s progress to determine any design problems, and examining soil samples and construction materials.
A civil engineering technician also develops concepts for the design and operation of buildings, monitors the construction process to ensure it follows building specifications and codes, prepares reports, and keeps track of project activities.
Industrial Engineer
The average annual salary for industrial engineers is approximately $80,000, with a yearly growth rate of 10%. An industrial engineer plans, designs, analyzes, and evaluates manufacturing processes and services.
Industrial engineering is a complex field that is hard to define precisely. They are responsible for providing the means to extract fuel. Also, without them, we would not have buildings since they are the ones who design them.
The importance of industrial engineering for the future cannot be overstated since, without this field of study, technology would be inaccessible to the masses. Almost every type of business can benefit from the expertise of industrial engineers.
They strive to increase efficiency cost-effectively, which includes everything from the assembly of a product or service to its delivery. Their responsibility is to ensure that the product meets the customer’s needs and performs as intended.
Chemical Engineer
Chemical Engineering is expected to flourish as one of the most sought-after engineering fields in the future, with an average annual salary of up to $90,000 and a higher-than-average job growth rate of 14%.
Firstly, the industry is constantly evolving. Those in the field of chemical engineering are actively involved in developing safer and more effective pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and materials, which places them at the forefront of future advancements.
It is also important to note that chemical engineering has an extensive range of applications in various fields, making it a rewarding career choice with potential earnings. In addition to subspecialties like biomedical and nuclear engineering, chemical engineering connects to multiple domains such as business management, sales, and project management.
Thus, it is an excellent field for discovering new interests and combining them with existing ones to open up other career paths.
Environmental Engineer
Environmental engineers are estimated to earn an average yearly salary of $96,000 and to have a 4% job growth rate. They are responsible for researching and developing methods for improving and protecting the environment.
They integrate engineering concepts with biology, chemistry, and soil science to find environmentally friendly solutions for problems relating to ozone depletion, oil spills, pollution, wastewater management, environmental remediation, and more.
Additionally, their duties include securing approvals for their plans, supervising construction, and conducting compliance checks on facility operations.
Aeronautical Engineer
Aeronautical engineers earn an average salary of $10,600 per year, and their growth is expected to increase by 6% over the next few years. Their responsibilities include designing, producing, testing, and maintaining satellites, airplanes, spacecraft, and missiles.
Furthermore, they assess financial and technical feasibility proposals and ensure environmental regulations are followed. They also create and perform testing on prototypes to verify their functional capability, establish quality standards and acceptance criteria, and conduct inspections of damaged or malfunctioning products to determine the cause of the problem.
To Sum it Up
There is no doubt that technology is evolving, and with it comes a growing need for talent. Therefore, staying ahead of the competition is essential to be considered relevant. To accomplish this, you must keep up with the latest technological advancements and employment requirements.
Due to the large number of engineering graduates entering the workforce every year, finding the job you are looking for is now more challenging. To differentiate yourself from other candidates, you must upgrade your skills and have a solid understanding of the field you desire to work in.
Listed above are some excellent career options after completing an engineering degree. You can determine your interests depending on the career path you intend to pursue after graduation. Good luck.