If you had to pick a major that would lead to a career with a combination of above average earnings, steady career advancement, and one that will put you on the cutting edge, it would have to be engineering. Engineers are at the core of the design – and often the maintenance – of most systems that we use in the world. Engineering is one of the most necessary functions in the career world, as well as one of the most prestigious careers available.
Engineering’s career outlook
In general, demand for engineers is projected to be either equal to, or above what is expected to be for the job market a large. Much depends upon the specific area of engineering that you plan to enter.
For example, the demand for civil engineers is considered to be in line with the overall job market, while demand for biomedical engineers is projected to be much higher.
Engineers can work in a variety of environments, including governments, large corporations, small businesses and research facilities. They can also form their own engineering firms and thus become self-employed.
Qualifications required
The typical entry-level requirement for an engineer – in nearly every discipline – is a bachelors degree. Graduate degrees and other forms of advanced training usually are required in order to advance.
Specific licensing can also be required in the case of civil engineers.
Earnings potential
Income potential for engineers runs in a wide range depending upon the specific discipline. But virtually all engineering specialties have income ranges that are well above those paid in most other career fields. Six-figure salaries are hardly unknown, particularly for experienced engineers, and those with advanced degrees.
Typical average salary levels start at around $80,000 per year for civil engineers, industrial engineers and mechanical engineers. At the higher end of the range, petroleum engineers earn upwards of $140,000 per year on average.
Specific careers in engineering
As already established, engineering is not a single career, but a collection of specialties. Each specialty tends to be concentrated in a certain industry, and have its own job outlook and income range. Opportunities to advance may also vary depending on which field you choose to enter.
One of the major advantages is that you could practically pick an area of interest, and there is an engineering specialty built around it. You can concentrate on just about any interest that you have in determining what specific area of engineering you want to enter.
Some of the possible engineering specialties include:
- Civil engineers
- Industrial engineers
- Environmental engineers
- Petroleum engineers
- Biomedical engineers
- Mechanical engineers
- Aerospace engineers
- Chemical engineers
- Electrical engineers
- Nuclear engineers
- Agricultural engineers
- Geological engineers
If you have an analytical mind and a good measure of technical ability, engineering could be a strong major for you to consider. It offers higher income and greater career stability that most other majors you can choose.
Have you considered engineering as a possible major?
