Engineers design and develop new technologies and solutions to help advance society. In the age of innovation, technological advances are occurring much faster than ever. Now, nearly all of the engineering fields are seeing an increase in job opportunities. The outlook for engineering positions is projected to continue increasing with or above the national average, depending on the field.
The need for qualified engineers continues to grow nationwide. For engineers and engineering students, it’s important to consider the opportunities and advantages of each type of engineering. Let us take a look at the fastest-growing engineering industries to help you decide better.
Civil engineers oversee construction projects for both private companies and public utilities, striving to build or improve infrastructure. These projects can include construction for roads, bridges, dams, electrical grids, and even renewable energy. Civil engineers perform research and provide designs for these construction projects; they also submit requests for all required permits. They work closely with other engineers, architects, city planners, and construction crews.
With high earning potential and a reasonable growth projected over the next few years, many students choose to pursue a career in biomedical engineering. Biomedical engineers work in healthcare facilities and research institutions to research, design, and test new medical devices and equipment. These devices include robotic surgery equipment, artificial limbs, 3D-printed organs, and other modern innovations in medicine. A bachelor’s degree is typically required for a career in biomedical engineering. However, some choose to pursue a master’s degree for higher earning potential. Biomedical engineering offers many diverse career opportunities and specializations. Some receive a degree in biomedical engineering to later pursue medical school and become a physician.
Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering fields. In this discipline, mechanical engineers design and test machinery and other products before they go to market. These products can vary tremendously, from giant manufacturing systems to small tools and parts. Without mechanical engineers, we wouldn’t enjoy many of the recent advances in modern tools we use daily. Smartphones, electric cars, 3D printers, and even our home’s utilities would not be as advanced as they are today. Mechanical engineers are vital to a wide variety of industries, including automotive, aerospace, electronics, computers, robotics, and manufacturing. Mechanical engineers develop and use a vast array of skills to be successful in top engineering positions.
Much like mechanical engineering, electrical engineering has become a more diverse engineering industry. Electrical engineers are responsible for studying, designing, and applying electrical designs to equipment and devices. These electrical designs could include power grids, computers and handheld electronics, utilities, and anything else that uses electricity. Many different branches of engineering originate, in part, from electrical engineering: computer engineering, automotive engineering, and even aerospace engineering. Electrical engineers also have an increase in job outlook over the next ten years, allowing for many new opportunities.
In efforts to get the most out of natural resources, the field of environmental engineering has seen dramatic growth. Environmental engineers improve environmental resources – air, water, and land – for better habitation for humans and other organisms. Many find similarities between this field of engineering and agricultural engineering. Unlike agricultural engineers, environmental engineers focus on issues regarding pollution, climate change, conservation, and public health. These projects include cleaning water reserves, minimizing air pollution, and managing waste. Depending on the project, environmental engineers can work closely with or have a similar role to civil engineers. Environmental engineers are often required to have a bachelor’s degree in environmental or civil engineering.
Aerospace engineering is a popular field of engineering that’s expected to grow over the next ten years. Aerospace engineers design, build, and test aircraft and spacecraft prototypes, along with satellites and missiles. They work in an office environment but will often visit a manufacturing plant if their project calls for it. In the aerospace engineering industry, there are two primary specialties – aeronautical and astronautical. Engineers with an aeronautical specialty work to design and advance aircraft and their parts. This can include missiles and national defense, as well as aerodynamic testing on existing aircraft. Astronautical engineers work on spacecraft to test how materials and technology perform in space and other atmospheres.
Petroleum engineers hold immense importance in the overall economy of the country. Petroleum engineers are concerned with the exploration of oil and gas reserves, devising methods of explorations, extraction, and refinement as well as maintaining oil production and refining facilities. As long as another more economical and viable source of energy is not devised or discovered, the petroleum sector would continue to hold immense importance in the economy of the world. To become a petroleum engineer, you would need to have at least 4 years of bachelor’s degree. After that, you will need to have sufficient experience to become eligible for a higher figure salary.
Every field of engineering provides countless opportunities. Whether it’s advancing computer sciences, fixing mechanical systems, or maintaining a clean water supply, engineers are vital to modern society, and they are generally well compensated, too.
