There are many people studying engineering, which may make it difficult to find work in certain fields. Not everybody can become an engineer as there is only so much demand for them. Does this mean you will be out of work with your engineering degree when you graduate?
Are You Studying Engineering?
Not at all. It simply means that you may have to get more specific about what you want to do with your degree. It comes as good news also to those that start studying for an engineering degree and then realize the job is not for them. There are so many different disciplines that require an engineering degree that everybody should be able to find work.
In this article, we will go over several of the best jobs that require an engineering degree. Some of which may not even need an add on to your engineering degree.
Civil engineering
There are some parts of the country in which construction is booming. As the economy starts to rebound, buildings begin to go up. This is a fantastic opportunity for somebody with an engineering degree.
And to really ensure that they get a job, they should research the areas of the country which are experiencing a construction boom as that’s where the opportunities are. For instance, engineering firms Utah are always looking for candidates as there is a building boom going on all over the state.
There are two major roles for civil engineers: the consulting civil engineer and the contracting one. Creative types generally gravitate toward consulting engineering jobs as this is based mainly on design. Functional design, of course, as their ideas need to be able to work physically.
Contracting engineers are the ones that put the design ideas to reality. They’re the ones that decide on the materials and focus on the planning so deadlines and budgets can be met.
To really stand out as the ideal candidate, either a consulting or contracting engineer, you should pick a discipline and focus your attention solely on that. For example, with renewable energy projects getting pushed, if you were to become an engineer who works on wind turbines, you will be sought out as an expert. If you have a broad focus, then it will be hard to make a career for yourself.
Chemical engineer
As you study engineering, there will come a time when you have to find your focus and go in that direction. When that time comes, look into studying chemical engineering. There are many jobs out there for chemical engineers, so you will likely be hired very quickly after earning your degree.
They are responsible for many different things, but primarily they focus on the machines and materials used to produce things like fuel, plastics, and even food. Not much thought is placed on the raw materials and processes are used that make up the things we use every day by the general public. However, at the beginning of a product’s life is usually a chemical engineer who ideates the process from start to finish.
They are also responsible for the planning of the project so having good organizational skills is a must. The ones that are always looking for better ways to do things will always be in demand as they find better production processes and systems to innovate new products.
Electrical engineering
This is an extremely broad field, so it pays off to find the area where you should focus your attention and go all-in on that part of the trade. In the construction industry, an electrical engineer will design systems for use in many different buildings. Even within this more narrow area of electrical engineering, you can increasingly specialize. For instance, you could be responsible for designing the electrical systems in hospitals as they have many different requirements than a normal residential or commercial building.
Returning to renewable energy systems and wind turbines, an electrical engineer is a very important component of the industry.
Electrical engineers have to wear a lot of different hats as they often have a client-facing role and the technical side. As different projects are in different phases, the electrical engineer often has to change roles on the fly to complete them.
Logistics
The global economy is so intertwined that it takes many complex moving parts to make sure that things work like a well-oiled machine. This involves many logistics as getting products from point A to point B is no easy task.
An engineer usually has the right mindset to work on the logistics of transferring raw materials to the distribution of consumer goods.
It is ever more important to fill these roles with the best people, so if the technical parts of engineering are not of great interest to you, logistics may suit your personality better. This can also involve supply chain management, so other options are available under the same logistics umbrella. The trick is for companies to get their products to the customer quickly, efficiently, and at the lowest cost possible while maintaining the correct standards.
Conclusion
It is not a great feeling to realize that the degree you are studying for could have been a mistake. However, the beauty of the reality of the modern world is that there is no shortage of choices. Hopefully, this article helps you find your actual dream job after you’ve gotten your engineering degree!
