Engineering is certainly one of the fields that are expected to keep growing in the upcoming decade. Even now, some of the highest paying jobs go to engineers. Therefore, engineering degrees can still be the initial steps in the creation of successful careers. Below, we demonstrate that there isn’t just one but many kinds of engineering under an umbrella term. You may not find electrical engineering interesting, and that’s okay. But maybe, you’d prosper as a mechatronic engineer? Or even a marine one?
What’s more, most types of engineering degrees are now available as online programs. Thus, you can keep working part-time or apply for programs that local universities don’t offer. Now, let us offer you a glimpse into the vastness of the world of engineering:
Biomedical Engineering Degrees
As its name would suggest, the qualification combines aspects of the fields of medicine and biology with the design skills of engineers. With biomedical engineering degrees, you’d be a part of the force bringing advancements in technology used in healthcare treatment. Thus, you could be involved in the development, improvement, or maintenance of diagnostic devices, such as EEGs and MRIs. Consider how you’re helping the world, and you’ll find this career quite rewarding in that sense.
Chemical
Chemical engineering degrees are similar to biomedical ones, except that they combine the study of chemical and biological processes. The outcomes are materials or substances that can be used to improve daily life. Individuals with an analytical mindset and who are equally skilled at grasping the concepts in life sciences can choose to pursue this qualification.
You can pick a field to specialize in when studying chemical engineering. We mention some of them below:
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- Chemical reaction engineering
- Process engineering
- Plant design
- Process design
- Transport phenomena
Petroleum Engineering Degrees
You must have seen how popular petroleum engineering degrees have become this day. However, don’t expect the field to get oversaturated just yet. Because the forecast says that there will be even more need of petroleum engineers in the future. In fact, the outlook says the demand will be twice than that for other careers! Thus, you can join the ranks of graduates and still look forward to a stable and fruitful career.
As one, your job will be mainly to search for natural petroleum reservoirs. When you find one, you’ll help recover it for subsequent use. Thus, it is vital that you possess knowledge of geology, chemistry, and math.
Civil
Civil engineering degrees are designed to inculcate the basics of planning, designing, and constructing of new and improvement and maintenance of existing infrastructures in their students. Additionally, they also focus on how to do all that while complying with the public and environmental health laws.
When you apply for this degree, make sure that you complete math and science courses, particularly physics, at A level.
Computer Engineering Degrees
Computer engineering degrees are a part of electronic engineering but with a focus on the IT and computer industry. After obtaining one, you may choose to work in any number of fields, including:
- Telecommunications
- Software application development
- Networking
- Application development
- Network security
- Web development
- Cybersecurity
Robotics
Another type of degree in the field of electronic engineering. The focus of robotics, as you can probably guess, is on automation. Thus, you could help develop or improve machines that can help the human workforce with repetitive tasks. A sector that benefits the most from automation in this manner is that of manufacturing.
Robotics engineering degrees teach you to handle robotic technology. That includes running maintenance systems, so that the robots work optimally and with minimal downtime.
Mining Engineering Degrees
A mining engineer supervises the construction of mine shafts, tunnels, and open-pits. Thus, they don’t just have the know-how of underground construction. They must also be familiar with the extraction and processing of various minerals. Moreover, they also oversee or develop better methods for transporting the minerals after the latter have been dug out.
Marine
In obtaining marine engineering degrees, you learn about the designing of various types of underwater crafts, such as boats and ships. Besides familiarizing yourself with their structure, you will also study how to repair them. Moreover, you will also learn the basics of other kinds of relevant fields of engineering, such as naval architecture, etc.
Structural Engineering Degrees
As a specialism of civil engineering, the field of structural engineering focuses on architecture. However, your major focus will be on the safety factors of buildings, bridges, etc. And you will work closely with architects, advising them on the stability of the constructed structures.
What Type of Engineer Do I Want to Be?
That will mostly depend on the career goals you set for yourself. Make sure that the career path of your choice excites us and that the areas of study you pick are of your interest. If you find choosing between engineering degrees challenging, then your passion can guide you. After all, you’d preferably want to continue along this path for the rest of your professional career.
Another way to select between the various kinds of engineering careers is to think about their problem-solving element. Marine engineering, for instance, ensures that the watercraft people use are safe and functional. It has and continues to save many lives. Similarly, mining engineers guarantee the safety of the miners who will use the tunnels the former design for them.
You may also consider choosing a common engineering education initially. Then as you get to know about the specifics of each better, you can pick a field to specialize in that suits you the most. In that case, look for programs that offer a general engineering course in the first year.
Even if you discover later that engineering isn’t the right vocation for you, you can always do something else! It is always possible to take the transferable skills from your education and put them to use in another field. Got other ideas? Walk us through your thoughts by contacting us here!