The career opportunities are endless when you get an online engineering degree. Let’s explore this from the beginning to understand what an engineer is, what types of jobs are available, and how much you can make in an engineering position.
What is an Engineer?
An Engineer designs, builds, or maintains engines, machines or public works. Engineers bring together science, math, technology and creativity to solve problems.
As Julie Ulseth, director of marketing enrollment services at Kettering University (MI), puts it, Engineers are “people who want to make things better, faster, stronger, simpler, smarter, quicker, quieter, greener and more efficient.”
The solutions and innovations of Engineers can be found everywhere in our daily lives, notes Dr. Manos Maragakis, Engineering Dean for the University of Nevada Reno. “From the cars you drive, to the roads you drive on, to the smartphones you use, to the air we breathe and the water we drink” says Maragakis. “All of this is engineering.”
Why Engineering?
The field of Engineering is both exciting and gratifying.
Because it involves technology and innovation, new discoveries and advancements are happening every second of every day. There is no end to the learning process; Engineers are always building upon something new. Ulseth points out, “There are fields of study and new industries that don’t even exist yet that will come into being because of engineers!”
And the things Engineers are working on today, can change lives tomorrow. (And not just the medical advancements!)
“[There are] plenty of opportunities for a career that can be personally rewarding and can make a major contribution to the improvement of people’s lives and the advancement of our nation,” says Maragakis. “Examples [of contributions] include engineering applications related to all aspects of infrastructure national security, renewable energy, natural disaster response and medical applications.”
What can you do with an Engineering degree?
Earning an online degree in Engineering will equip you will a broad range of skills that will be valuable in a number of industries. You could work in a large corporation, for a small non-profit, at a hospital or in zoo – anywhere!
The possibilities really are endless, but let’s take a look at some of the highest paid Engineering majors:
(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook)
More specifically, your Engineering degree could land you unique, interesting jobs like these:
Which Engineering degree is in high demand?
Engineering as a whole is a lucrative and rewarding field, but with so many concentrations available it can be difficult to select the right one.
There are nine primary branches of engineering to consider: chemical, mechanical, aerospace, industrial, civil, structural, electrical, computer and biomedical. Under these branches are hundreds of majors or concentrations, which vary by school and by region.
As students narrow down their focus, they should be considering which industries are likely to grow, which may become oversaturated or obsolete, and so on. This is impossible to know with certainty, of course, but we can make predictions.
Currently, the fastest growing fields are those in the IT sphere, but technology isn’t the only promising path.
According to NewEngineer.com, these are the most in demand engineering jobs with the highest salary potential for 2019:
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) supports this. For example, the BLS expects employment in Petroleum Engineering to grow 15% from 2016 to 2026, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
What skills do you need to be an Engineer?
Engineering requires a blend of technical, creative and interpersonal skills.
As a major, Engineering can be quite challenging because it covers subjects that are traditionally difficult for students: mathematics, science and technology. These subjects are rigorous and require extensive homework and labs.
To prepare while in High School or Community College, students may wish to take the following foundational courses:
But you will need more than just technical know-how as an Engineer. You will need the ability to think like an Engineer, always identifying and solving problems.
Engineers will need the following skills or traits:
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Those last attributes – the interpersonal skills – are often overlooked, but they’re essential in this field.
“Engineers almost always work in teams with other people—often non-engineers. Participation in team activities is important so that prospective students will learn how to get along with others and focus on accomplishing a task,” says Dr. W. L. Scheller II, Head of the Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department at Kettering University.
What are the trends in Engineering?
The hottest trends in the Engineering field center on the environment and technology.
Environmental problems, climate change and the depletion of natural resources are world-wide concerns. Environmental Engineers work to design, build and maintain structures that conserve non-renewable energy, use recycled or reclaimed materials, and respect plant and animal communities.
Technology, of course, influences all industries, but for those who innovate – namely, Engineers – it’s at the forefront. Currently, all eyes are on Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning and 3D Printing.
Can you get an Engineering Degree Online?
Absolutely! Engineering is a field that is always changing – even by the minute – which makes it particularly well-suited for online learning.
Whether you’re newly graduated or want to go back to school for Engineering, online degrees are available at any level, from associate’s to doctoral!
An online associate degree in Engineering is an excellent starting point, providing the foundational education necessary to pursue jobs in civil, electronic or mechanical engineering, for example, assisting licensed professionals. This online degree can get you into the field quickly, and allow you to earn a more advanced degree in the future.
Earning a bachelor’s degree in Engineering online will open many more doors, allowing you to focus your education on a specialized field and increasing your earning potential dramatically. A 4-year bachelor’s degree is the most common degree for Engineers.
An online Engineering master’s degree provides further professional development, managerial skills and, generally speaking, increased earning potential. The BLS reported that Mechanical Engineers, Civil Engineers and Architectural and Engineering Managers with master’s degrees all had median salaries that were 9 to 13% higher than the median wages of their counterparts who had just a bachelor’s degree.
If you’re most interested in research and academia within the Engineering field, an online doctorate would be beneficial to your career path. With a doctorate, you can pursue any concentration, and work on cutting edge investigation and development.
For more information on earning your Engineering degree online – at any level – click here.
Are Scholarships available for Engineering majors?
There are literally hundreds of Engineering scholarships available. Some are exclusive to students at a particular school, in a particular major or concentration, those working on a certain degree level, to a minority gender or ethnicity, or to those in a specified region.
Some of the best resources for finding scholarships for Engineering students are as follows:
There are also traditional scholarship search sites, where you can use filters to focus on Engineering-related opportunities.
Check with the college or university you choose to find out what scholarships they offer students.
Finally, don’t forget to apply for financial aid! Engineering students at all levels should complete the Free Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA). Every year millions of students assume they will not qualify for need-based assistance, so they do not apply, and billions of dollars in federal funds go unused.
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A degree in engineering opens up a variety of career paths toward high-paying, in-demand jobs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, engineering professions typically have a wage higher than the national median, as well as a relatively positive growth outlook.
A Closer Look at the State of Select Engineering Professions
Across the board, today’s engineering students have many educational options that may lead to excellent short and long-term job prospects:
Mechanical engineering
There were 277,500 mechanical engineers in 2014, making an average of $83,590 per year. More than 14,000 such jobs are expected to be added to that total by 2024. One promising development for mechanical engineers is the rise of the Internet of Things, the vast network of interconnected devices and sensors.
From networked home appliances to embedded infrastructures in factories, there could be 26 billion installed IoT units by 2020, according to IT research firm Gartner. This surge presents numerous opportunities for mechanical engineers to design and maintain the necessary IoT hardware and software.
Biomedical engineering
Biomedical engineers have a particularly robust career outlook into the 2020s. The total number of positions in the field is expected to exceed 27,000 by 2024, for a 23 percent gain from the 2014 level – much faster than the average growth rate for all professions in the U.S. Average salary was over $86,000.
An aging global population, combined with the increasing sophistication of medical devices (e.g., network connectivity) has created a major opening for biomedical engineers in the years ahead. These professionals will be called on to develop the medical technology needed to treat patients at a far greater scale than ever before.
Electrical engineering
Electrical engineers design and build the critical components of various communications systems and infrastructure, including computing devices such as laptops and smartphones. They have a very high median wage, at $95,230 per year.
While the sector is not expected to add many jobs until 2024, employment in the field is already high at over 315,000 jobs as of 2014. Changes in manufacturing employment will affect future opportunities for electrical engineers. The expansion of the IoT may be a windfall to electrical engineers, who will be instrumental in designing the circuitry of IoT devices.
Where Engineer Careers are Heading: Paths to Keep an Eye On
There are many other types of engineering beyond the three examined above, although that trio captures a good cross-section of where engineering as a whole is heading. A growing focus on computer hardware and software, network connectivity for the IoT, and the medical industry will all reshape the career paths of millions of engineers around the world.
Ck2 agot reddit. With that overarching trend in mind, let’s look at 5 more specific paths that are currently taking shape and becoming magnets for top engineering students:
1. Robotics engineering
The “rise of the robots” is an important topic in the future of labor and productivity. The International Federation of Robotics has estimated that by 2018, 1.3 million industrial robots will have entered service in factories worldwide. Robots can perform many common work-related tasks previously done only by humans, such as assembling complex electronics and helping with surgery.
Accordingly, robotics engineers are set to be in significant demand as their field expands and what the IFR calls a “fourth industrial revolution” unfolds. They ought to be experts in:
Bachelor and master’s degree programs can help develop these skills. There is also significant overlap with computer science as well as mechanical and electrical engineering. Robotics engineers will be important contributors to the IoT.
2. Water/environmental engineering
Demand for environmental engineers, especially ones with expertise in water systems, is increasing. One reason is the growing attention of many state and local governments to the quality and affordability of their water supplies.
Environmental engineers also contribute to highly technical projects such as the design of green energy systems including windmills, hydropower deployments, and solar infrastructures. The growth rate for the profession is pegged at 12 percent, or faster than the national average.
3. Data science and computational engineering
Many emerging engineering professions combine classical elements of mechanical and electrical engineering with principles from relatively new fields such as computer programming and data analytics. Computational engineering is a prime example of this combination.
Computational engineers have cross-disciplinary expertise (including electrical engineering, mathematics, data science, and computer science) that enables them to address problems using statistical modeling, computer algorithms, and other techniques derived from working large data sets. These professionals could work in fields such as:
4. Aerospace engineering
Aerospace engineers contribute to the design of aircraft and spacecraft. The good news for this field is that demand for these vehicles is expected to be strong for the foreseeable future.
KPMG has projected that the civil aerospace market would need an additional 27,000 passenger aircraft, 24,000 business jets and 40,000 helicopters between 2013 and 2031. Aerospace engineers are in excellent position to meet these demands by applying their technical expertise and research skills.
5. Virtual and augmented reality engineering
In recent years, virtual and augmented reality have become top priorities for technology firms such as Facebook (which acquired VR headset maker Oculus), Google, and Apple. VR/AR involves using a visor or display to project new imagery on top of what someone would see with his or her naked eyes.
VR/AR has many applications in a field such as gaming and advertising. Markets and Markets has estimated that the VR market alone could be worth $33.9 billion by 2022, up from just over $1 billion in 2015. Engineers with hardware and software expertise will be in high demand to create the next generation of VR/AR devices for consumers and businesses.
There are many such exciting opportunities available for today’s engineering students. UCR offers a convenient and flexible online degree program in engineering, with specializations available in mechanical, environmental, and electrical engineering, as well as data science, materials at nanoscale, and bioengineering. Visit our program page to learn more today.
Sources
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/environmental-engineers.htm http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/ar-market.asp http://mashable.com/2015/11/20/high-tech-engineering-jobs-brandspeak/#XxiFpca4sZqn https://www.ft.com/content/78e9a934-d66e-11e2-9214-00144feab7de http://www.ae.utexas.edu/undergraduate/computational-undergrad-program https://engineeringonline.ucr.edu/data-science/ https://www.wpi.edu/academics/study/robotics-engineering-bs http://www.ifr.org/news/ifr-press-release/survey-13-million-industrial-robots-to-enter-service-by-2018-799/ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/electrical-and-electronics-engineers.htm https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/biomedical-engineers.htm https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/computer-hardware-engineers.htm http://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/2636073 https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-role-of-mechanical-engineers-in-IOT https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/mechanical-engineers.htm The Future of Mechanical Engineering: A Vision and a Mission
Mechanical Engineering has been around for centuries and will be, for a long time to come, unless there is a miracle in science that allows humans to deny all laws of mechanics and still allow them to build stuff that can be used. As of now, the situation is unfathomable.
From basic objects like wheels to the ever useful screws and inclined planes, from cars to aeroplanes, from paperclips to ships, from bridges to skyscrapers, they all work under the foundations and principles laid out by the laws of mechanics.
We have seen how machines have made our lives easier. Thanks to mechanical engineering, they have increased the efficiency of the machines that we use and also made it easier to make them. We have seen the wonders of mechanical engineering, but what is the future of mechanical engineering?
The future of mechanical engineering is spread across various emerging streams that hold many promises to make the future a better place to live in.
Some of the promising streams that are the quintessential applications of the future of mechanical engineering are:
1) Nano-technology – nano-engineering to be more specific
2) Biomechanics – A promising stream of the future
3) Automobiles and aviation
4) Buildings of the future and urban designing
5) Robotics
… and the list continues, but these are the major areas where the future of mechanical engineering will logically be applied. Now let’s take a tour of what they are and see how they are the future.
Nano-engineering
“Nano” is the word used to measure any object that is measured in scales of 10 to the power of -9. They are microscopic and only electron microscopes are used to see such objects. Creating anything of that microscopic size in itself is a stellar task, let alone applying the principles of mechanical engineering at that level. Nano-engineering is mainly used in the field of research and medicine. It is used to create materials that are not affected by normal factors like weather and corrosion, etc. Materials designed by nano-engineering are lighter and stronger than other materials. The mechanical structure of the materials is changed thereby giving enhanced properties to the materials. A concept using carbon nanotubes by NASA is said to be able to link the surface of the earth and the satellite thereby making a direct connection to a satellite. This is the potential of nano-engineering.
Biomechanics
Bionics is the boon of modern medical science that promises to make the lives of millions better. “Bionic” is the term used to refer to the artificial material or object that mimics the action done by a part of the human body. For example, a bionic arm mimics the actions of a human arm; the bionic leg mimics the human leg. They are created using the principles of biomechanics. Experiments are going on that promise bionic chests and bionic necks. The functions and the operations of the bionics that copy their human counterparts heavily depend on the principles laid by mechanical engineering. Bionics is one area where we can see the wonders of what the future of mechanical engineering has in hold for us and how it is being applied in day-to-day life.
Application of Mechanical Engineering in Bio Mechanics
Image Credits:
https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2170/2481219378_121eaefa72.jpg
Automobiles and Aviation – Mechanical Engineering has helped in creating the fastest cars that are capable of traveling 400+ kph (248 mph) and in the making of the most comfortable vehicles on the planet that are used by millions. The huge aircraft that enable millions every day to reach from one corner of the globe to the other in a matter of hours all are the result of extensive improvement and implementation of mechanical engineering. The strength of the body and the way the automobiles and aircraft are built are results of extensive mechanical engineering and testing. Advancements in mechanical engineering are applied to automobiles to decrease their carbon footprint and make them more eco-friendly and economical while simultaneously giving more efficiency.
Buildings of the Future and Urban Design – Huge structures like the Burj-Khalifa, Taipei 101, and many other tall buildings use mechanical engineering for the structure of the building. Taipei 101 uses mass dampers for stability so that there is a uniform weight distribution so that the buildings don’t get unstable easily. The mechanical structure of the buildings are so adjusted that they are resistant to winds of high speed and natural disasters like earthquakes, storms, etc. The mechanical structure of the building is built such that any tremors at the base of the building are gently damped and the vibrations do not cause any serious effects. Thus mechanical engineering plays a pivotal role in the construction of buildings along with various other sciences.
Robots – Robots like ASIMO can walk, jog, climb stairs, greet people, and do a lot of other things. Robots like ASIMO are the future. For all those actions the robots need to work like humans and mechanical engineering helps in the functioning of the limbs and other body parts. The same principle of biomechanics is used in this area of science. Nano robots are also in the making that are said to be of immense use in the field of medicine, though many oppose the concept as they are also potential weapons of mass destruction and cannot be stopped easily.
Image Credits:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/2005_Honda_ASIMO_01.JPG
Though the wonders of mechanics are many, a very few have been listed, so that a rough idea of what the future of mechanical engineering has in hold for humanity, is perceived.
The biggest question for engineering aspirants before facing counselling is which branch to chose? With the ever fluctuating trends of the market this question takes an even more intense form. Opting for the current highest in demand engineering stream may direct to land you in a problem as you will be facing market with your degree only after completing your course i.e. 4 years (B.tech) or 5 years (Dual degree programme) and the scenario after four years is quite hard to predict.
As per my opinion a wise idea to decide highest in demand engineering stream would be analyzing the market and deciding the needs of future market rather than going behind the number of vacancies in different sectors. Here I would like to remind my readers one very important thing that it is not at all bad to study the trend and watch for most in demand stream of the course you are going to pursue but making your choice based on this demand would be an injustice to yourself. Go for your interest even if it does not matches the trend because then only you will be able to bring out best out of you. Remember, do what you like and the success will follow your footsteps.
Is There A Demand For Electrical Engineer Job In The Future
Here is the list of Top 10 highest in demand Engineering Streams:
10. Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineering is applied in the production of food, drugs, fuels, and the testing as a part of research and development programme. Demand for the Chemical engineering grows at a slower rate as compared to the demand of other branches of engineering. The demand is quite fluctuating, as the economy improves and degrades it subsequently rises and falls.
9. Industrial and Production EngineeringIs There A Demand For Electrical Engineers In The Future Full
Industrial and production engineering, available in handful of colleges is gaining popularity nowadays, as there is more demand of employees than supply. Industrial and production engineering deals with the development, implementation, monitoring and improvement of the whole industrial process. This branch of engineering is used in manufacturing and production unit of the industries in order to increase productivity as well as efficiency of the system. There is ample of demand in public as well as private sector for industrial and production engineering graduate.
8. Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
Aeronautical and astronautical engineering are the two classification of aerospace engineering. Aeronautical engineering deals with the design, construction and development of the aircrafts operating within the earth’s atmosphere on the other hand aeronautical engineering deals with design, construction and development of spacecrafts. Now there is not much need to elucidate the application of these two in the current society. In the developing countries like the demand for Aerospace Engineer will keep on rising as presently there are only a handful districts which are connected through airways, also the air force defence system also needs aerospace engineers for the constant development, implementation and improvement of their designs.
7. Petroleum Engineering
Considering the significance of fuels in today’s’ world there is huge demand in this sector. Petroleum engineering not only deals with extraction and purification of the fuels but it is also responsible for finding the location of availability of fuel as well as exploring the new dimensions in this field. The demand for petroleum engineering is restricted to specific places due its dependence on the availability of petroleum reserves.
6. Civil Engineering
One of the most prominent branch among core engineering streams, Civil Engineering serves as a backbone of the entire infrastructure of any country. Right from the bridges, huge dams, to the endless highways connecting entire countries and the beautiful creation of real states which you find hard to lift off your eyes type are the result of civil engineering. There is a boom in demand for the civil engineering and the good thing is that it will continue to be boom in demand in near as well as far future making it an evergreen branch to opt for. This is the main reason for civil engineering stream to make it to top beside it’s on site working condition and rigorous schedule.
5. Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering has been proving itself an evergreen stream by showing least fluctuation in demand during economic fall. The demand for mechanical engineering has been rising ever since its evolution. Now you must be thinking why an evergreen branch is kept at number 5 and 6 position? To clear you enigma I would like to remind you the comparative salary, working condition and growth for scope. The fact cannot at all be denied that Mechanical and Civil engineering are two strongest contenders in the race of evergreen engineering streams but their demand curve has been and is going to take a linear shape forever making it lose in race of job oriented streams. It is among the best choices for the ones who want a safe and steady future.
4. Electrical Engineering
Electrical engineering, another core engineering discipline has made it to number four due to the constant rising demands for electrical engineers to fulfill the power requirement of nation. Seeing our infrastructure it is totally clear that our entire system is running on electricity and hence there is constant hike in the rise of demand in private as well as public sector making a lot of students to opt it. One of the high rank official of IEEE, Michael Buryk has stated that, “Even electrical engineers, especially those who work as power engineers, are in short supply, especially given the growth in the fields of alternative energy and Smart Grid.”
3. Information TechnologyIs There A Demand For Electrical Engineers In The Future Movie
Although ever since Y2k problem its charm has quite degraded in India but when practically seen at international level it is still the same, filled with tremendous opportunities. There may be slack in demand in public sector but once you excel it private sector has endless leverages to offer. It is true that this field has surplus aspirants yet the work environment and benefit like salary and growth opportunities has grabbed 3rd position for it. with the increasing dependence on worldwide connectivity and the dream of globalisation there will always be an ultimate hike in its demand no matter how frequent and abrupt the fluctuations are.
2. Electronics and Communication Engineering
A blend of computer science and electrical engineering, electronics and communication engineering has been raising its flag in almost every field right from public to private, software to core. Ever since the wake of computer revolution this stream has seen a constant hike in demand making it to top 3. Electronics and communication engineering owns a strong hold in software engineering along with its own identity. It would be completely fair to state the computer science and electronics and communication engineering are dependent on each other and hence are their demands. But as stated above, this stream is a blend of Electrical and Computer science engineering thus has an identity of its own hence faces lesser fluctuation when compared.
1. Computer Science Engineering
Computer Science is the ultimate hero of engineering disciplines, and the backbone of entire software industry. Seeing a mobile or two or more than that in every ones pocket, a laptop or a tablet hanging in a bag on every professional’s and students’ shoulder, and endless examples of technological dependence we can easily predict the importance of this stream. We cannot imagine our world without computers, right from GPS, to our mobile phones; this has strengthened its root in our lives like an old banyan tree. As long as computer will continue to exist among us the need for its engineers will also encounter constant hike. There is a constant demand for the computer science graduate to meet the global needs, making it the most in demand engineering stream.
There are currently an estimated 73,600 computer hardware engineers in the United States. The computer hardware engineer job market is expected to grow by 5.4% between 2016 and 2026. How employable are computer hardware engineers?
CareerExplorer rates computer hardware engineers with a D employability rating, meaning this career should provide weak employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 8,200 computer hardware engineers. That number is based on 4,000 additional computer hardware engineers, and the retirement of 4,200 existing computer hardware engineers.
Are computer hardware engineers in demand?
Technological innovation in the computer industry is focused more on software than on hardware. This fact exerts negative pressure on the job outlook and demand for computer hardware engineers. Declining employment in the manufacturing industries that hire many of these engineers will also hinder growth in the field. This loss, however, may be somewhat tempered by openings at computer consulting and hardware start-up firms, to which some manufacturers outsource their hardware design. While intense competition from foreign companies may diminish overall domestic opportunities, demand for the expertise of computer hardware engineers may rise from the need to embed computer chips in new-generation automobiles, household appliances, medical equipment, and other devices. Competition for all available positions is projected to be strong, due to an occupational growth rate which is below average and a rapidly increasing number of degrees granted in this discipline. These factors allow employers to get maximum value for their investment by hiring and retaining only the best applicants who are familiar with the most up-to-date technology. In such a competitive market, job candidates who have earned a Master’s Degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or business administration enhance their employability, especially with larger firms or companies in specialized industries. Not surprisingly, a background in or some knowledge of computer software systems is another highly regarded asset. Computer hardware engineers who obtain one or more certifications from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) will also stand out among qualified applicants. Advancement options for these engineers include opportunities as senior technical specialists and computer and information systems managers.
What’s the supply of computer hardware engineers?
The computer hardware engineer industry is concentrated in California, Maryland, Colorado
Computer Hardware Engineer job market by state
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