What is Engineering?
According to Britannica, Engineering is “the application of science to the optimum conversion of the resources of nature to the uses of humankind.”
Also, in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, engineering is “the application of science and mathematics by which the properties of matter and the sources of energy in nature are made useful to people.”
Engineering is broad and may be defined in several ways depending on factors such as a country’s organization or standard body.
Engineers are action-takers and solve challenging problems that we face in our civilization. As we evolve throughout history, humanity continues to build tools and systems that help us survive harsh environments, communications, transportation by road, air, or sea, food, health, energy, and security, just to mention a few.
Engineering could therefore be seen as using the knowledge in science and mathematics to solve problems. The people who solve societal challenges using effective principles of engineering are commonly known as engineers. It doesn’t necessarily mean all engineers are engine designers or fixers.
There is a common misunderstanding among many people who say “An engineer but he/she can’t even fix his car”. Not all engineers are the same or have the same background of knowledge or understanding. If you find an amazing bridge, it is the efforts of many engineers from different fields working together for a common goal and that is the bridge.
Engineers invent, design, and create complex systems that solve problems in our energy needs, communications systems, roads, clean drinking water, transportation, and medical instruments.
In this brief post, we want to know why you should consider studying engineering and make a fulfilling career out of it. More importantly, some areas of engineering you would like to think about if you are now about to make a choice at college or early in your career.
Which Type of Engineering you should consider?
There are several disciplines in the field of engineering. But which one is suitable for you? This is an important question that bothered many of us.
Most of us had difficulties knowing which program to pursue after senior high school. To an extent, we may even start a program at college but aren’t sure if that would work out for us. Similarly, others struggle to select a major while in college.
In an article written by career services coach, Katharine Brooks Ed.D, “Surveys show that about 80% of first-year students don’t know what they plan to major in– and that over 50% of college students change their majors at least once before they graduate”
You are not alone. If you knew this with certainty early in your life, then great you did.
In this post, these questions among others will be clarified to help students and/or early career persons decide appropriately.
In our world, we are challenged with natural and physical problems that need to be solved. Engineering is a placeholder in providing solutions as well as mitigation strategies to our daily life challenges.
Fields in Engineering
There are several engineering programs out there in various universities across the world. Below is a list of engineering programs:
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronics Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Telecommunication Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Structural Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Mining Engineering
- Petrochemical Engineering
- Petroleum engineering, among others.
Combine Fields of Engineering in Universities
It is important to note that some Universities have some engineering programs combined. For instance, Electrical and Electronic may be combined as Electrical and Electronic Engineering or it could be Electrical and Computer Engineering. One will have to look at these options and make a choice that is favorable to their career plans.
Requirements to be an Engineer
Most engineering professions will just need a bachelor’s degree to qualify to practice as an engineer. Other firms may require professionals with an advanced degree (a master’s or PhD). A master’s degree helps to further specialize in some aspects of the program studied at an undergraduate level.
For instance, one may pursue a graduate study (master’s) in electrical engineering with a focus on power systems. This specialty may help them to become a power systems engineer, protection and control engineer, etc.
Typically, Ph.D. graduates have many options. They could take an academic path and become a professor. Or practice as an engineer in research and development (R&D) where new products, systems, or processes are invented or highly optimized.
Areas Engineering Skills are Used to Solve Problem
Graduating with an engineering degree is only a step into the real world of events. The knowledge and skills gained from college or university are valuable to solving problems across every endeavor of life. Some of the areas engineering skills have been used are:
Electricity supply, medical devices, military equipment, bridges, computers, skyscrapers, water and wastewater treatments, transportation (by land, sea, or air), communications, oil and gas exploration/production, manufacturing, food processing, media (social media or traditional media like television or radio), among others.
Everyone depends on these modern infrastructures for their daily survival.
If you have the desire to help the world become a better place or solve the daunting challenges of nature, then engineering has a place for you.
Engineering professions usually have abundant career opportunities that are rewarding in salaries and self-fulfilling. There are also opportunities to advance your career into more exciting positions of decision-making that would even have a broad impact and increase income.
In case you need help with resume or CV evaluation in pursuit of jobs, send me your resume for a review using this link: Resume Review
In the short video below from “Explorist”, you will find exciting marvels that engineering has created.
Video credit: Explorist
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