Engineering careers are a popular option for many STEM students. They have great flexibility, along with demand.
Some of the industries demanding the most engineering graduates are:
- Defense
- Space
- Energy
- Transport
- Environmental
- Medical and pharmaceutical
- Construction
- Marine
- Food and drink.
With a variety of industries, there are a variety of jobs available. Which career is the best one for you depends on many factors. Before you begin your engineering journey, have a think and a look at which arm of engineering will be best for you. When you are trying to decide where your engineering journey will take you, have a look at Kettering online to see how to take your future career forward.
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Building things
Are you a practical person? Did you excel in the spaghetti bridge experiment, or spend hours perfecting the paper airplane? Are you hands-on?
Aeronautical engineers build aircraft that circle earth within the atmosphere. They work on shape and design, ensuring that aircraft stay in the air for longer.
Astronautical engineers work on spacecraft that flies beyond our atmosphere. Aeronautical engineers design and test spacecraft to improve their capabilities outside of the earth and gravity.
Both aeronautical and astronautical engineers work with avionics engineers. Avionics engineers design and test the electronic systems within flying vehicles. They are responsible for streamlining and researching the electronic systems that keep the vehicles flying and maintains the communication electronics inside.
Automotive engineers research, design, and test vehicles, including cars, bikes, and trucks. They are responsible for checking all of the systems in vehicles. As a result, automotive engineers tend to combine many different disciplines, including electrical and, more recently, software engineering.
Civil engineers are involved in the design and testing of buildings. A civil engineer is at the top of the career choices for people who like building things. Civil engineers work on everything, from residential to commercial buildings. Working with architects and architectural engineers, civil engineers make sure that buildings are safe and provide the necessities for their purposes while keeping traffic flow, and people flow clear.
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Computing
Do you enjoy using your computer? Are you interested in the intricacies of computers and software? Do you have a passion for the future of computers?
Software engineers work on the future of software, they are detail oriented. Software engineers design software as well as testing and fixing it. Bug reports go to software engineers who then use their skills to work out why a bug is happening and how to stop it.
Hardware and infrastructure engineers work on the actual computer part of the IT network. They look at the build of computers and issues arising from the structure of the computer itself and the equipment and links around it.
Automation, robotics, and simulation engineers work in the future of computing and IT. Simulation engineers work within the virtual environment, they model and test IT and computing concepts before they are implemented into a real-world application. Examples of this are testing and shaping the actions of machines or computers in places like Mars.
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Industrial Engineering
Are you happier in a boardroom? Maybe your planning skills are amazing? Can you solve problems involving people? Are you more of a people person?
Industrial engineering makes you think of factories or big industry, but it’s not all about the big buildings. Industrial engineering also involves planning and problem-solving for the industry. Industrial engineering is a great career path for people. Industrial engineers work with people to improve systems and business operations for the people involved. Industrial engineers combine the hard sciences with the softer sciences. It is probably the most varied of engineering careers.
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Isn’t engineering boring?
No! Not at all! Engineering is one of the most forward-looking, varied career paths. Many of the engineering paths above can merge with, work with, or lead to other paths. As a scientific subject, the engineering disciplines need more attention and can be harder work than other subjects, but the prospects make it worth it. Engineering careers are fast-changing and demanding, but they are also in demand and create opportunities for change and development.
With the different strains of engineering, it means that there is pretty much a career path for everyone. The practical, the scientific, and even the academic.
Before deciding on your engineering degree, have a think about your engineering career. Research and look into what companies you would like to work for to see what disciplines they hire. It can be surprising. NASA, for example, hire all types of engineers as do Google.
