What Is Engineering?
The definition of engineering is wide. An engineer is a person who solves problems. This may be by inventing pieces of technology, creating buildings and other structures, designing vehicles, or even building weapons for the military.
Engineers can be found everywhere. You can find them working at aircraft companies, tech companies, vehicle companies, and with architects. You may even find them working independently, inventing things (or programming games).
If a person is using a combination of math, tech, and science to solve a problem, then there’s a good chance they’ll come under the banner of engineer.
Where Do Engineers Work?
As engineering is a varied position, you could feasibly work anywhere once you’ve graduated with an engineering degree.
Many engineers will work in labs where they solve problems with their skills. Others may work in factories, and others may work with big businesses designing their IT systems.
As we said, engineering jobs can be found everywhere. Students should decide on their long-term engineering aspirations early, as this will influence where they ultimately study.
Do You Need to Know Math to Become an Engineer?
An engineer will need to use math daily. It is the basis of their work. Many engineering degrees only admit people with decent high school math scores.
If you do not have a good grade in math, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re barred from being an engineer. You may find it more difficult to find somewhere that’ll let you study, and if you do find somewhere, you’ll likely be asked to follow a catch-up course, increasing your workload while studying.
Do You Need to Know Science to Become an Engineer?
This will depend on the type of engineering a student wishes to study. However, most engineering courses require decent scores in the sciences. A person will be expected to have a solid knowledge of physics at the very minimum since physics plays a huge role in most engineering projects.
Who Should Study to Become an Engineer?
Engineering jobs are for those who wish to discover more about the world around them and solve problems that the world presents. The people who work best as engineers are very analytical but highly creative. Once you’re working as an engineer, you’ll often be tasked with developing brand-new solutions to problems. However, you do not have limitless options here. You must create solutions based on budgets, resources, and the world’s workings.
Engineering is demanding for those who wish to work hard and are always happy to solve a new problem. When you work as an engineer, every single day will be different. There’ll be a new problem to solve or an old problem to fix. If you are not happy with working in a dynamic work environment, then there is no chance of you being able to succeed as an engineer.
What Can a High School Student Do to Prepare to Study as an Engineer?
If you wish to study as an engineer at a degree level, then there are a few things that you can do to increase your chances of getting into a quality program. This includes:
- Work on your grades. Engineering is tough; engineering programs only want to work with the best. They need people who work hard, as many problems that need solving can change the world (or cost lives if they fail). A good engineer must focus on math and science, but all aspects of your studying should be impeccable.
- If your high school has any engineering-related extracurricular activities, join them. Extracurricular activities are always considered positive.
- Look for engineering programs in your local area. A few colleges will offer sampler courses to High School students.
How Do You Become an Engineer?
If you wish to become an engineer, you’ll need a degree. While technically, engineering jobs are available for those without an engineering degree, they rarely pay well and can be tough to find.
This means applying to an engineering school, preferably in the field of study you aim for. Because engineering schools are tough to get into, you might need a few backup options, even if you have had good grades at High School.
Do You Need a Degree to Become an Engineer?
Yes. You will need to complete a four-year degree to become an engineer. However, many top engineers end up going for their doctorate. It can be tough to become a doctor in engineering, but it can be a highly rewarding profession, both financially and in terms of the positions you’ll have available.
Do You Have to Specialize Your Engineering Degree at College?
Ideally, yes. While general engineering degrees are available, you’ll likely need to specialize if you wish to stand the best chance of obtaining a job in engineering. You might need to decide what your specialism is at an early stage, so it is worth researching the types of engineering to know which one will suit you the most.
What is the Best Engineering College in the World?
Harvard University and Stanford University are said to offer the best engineering courses in the world. The programs at Oxford University in the UK closely follow these. It doesn’t matter if you cannot get into a top college. Many engineering firms are more concerned with your grades and the specialism than where you received your grade. Even if you study at a lower-ranked college, you likely will still get a job.
How Much Does an Engineer Make?
This varies depending on the engineering type you end up practicing. The average salary for an engineer is $92,000. Electrical engineers have the lowest pay, and computer engineers have the highest pay. However, for practical purposes, there’s not a huge difference between entry-level jobs, and it is always wise to opt for an engineering degree that interests you rather than one that pays the best. You’ll always perform better at a job when you’re interested in what you’re doing.
Is It Easy to Find a Job as an Engineer?
Engineering jobs can be found everywhere. It can be tough to get an engineering job if you’re located outside of the big towns and cities or manufacturing areas. It may also be tough to find a job with some of the more popular engineering degrees, e.g., aerospace and aeronautics. However, most engineering graduates will eventually find a job.
If you wish to increase your job prospects post-graduation, you’ll want to do many extracurricular activities at school and increase your grades as much as possible.
