If you are thinking about studying for, currently studying for, or have graduated with a degree in engineering, chances are that you have developed, or will develop a wide range of practical skills and knowledge that will be valued by employers in many sectors. Studying for a degree in engineering enables you to fine-tune your numeracy, problem-solving, and logical thinking skills, amongst many more.
Engineering is a very broad subject, split into several different disciplines such as chemical, civil, electrical and mechanical engineering to name a few. As a result, the careers open to engineering graduates are wide and varied, although it’s likely that you will want to choose the engineering career that is most relevant to your chosen specialization and related skills you have or will have developed during your degree.
Here are some of the top careers to consider if you are, or are considering becoming, an engineering student.
1. Civil Engineer
If you would like a career in the construction industry that gets you away from the office and out into the field on a regular basis, civil engineering could be a great choice for you. When you study for a civil engineering degree, you will be equipped with the right knowledge and a wide range of skills to prepare you for an exciting career in the construction industry, along with the wider business, financial, and management sectors.
A career in civil engineering will be both rewarding and challenging, and can involve a wide range of different roles in construction, management, design, and more, depending on your interests and experience. It’s a career that often involves many aspects of design and architecture, making it the perfect choice for those who want a job that allows them to express their creative side.
2. Chemical Engineer
Graduating with a degree in chemical engineering means that there will be a wide range of career options available to you. In addition to teaching you the core components of engineering, gaining a chemical engineering degree will also provide you with a varied set of transferable skills that are necessary within a wide range of professions in the business, finance and even law industries, should you wish to pursue them.
A chemical engineer examines and designs both the equipment and processes used to turn raw materials into everyday products, such as food, plastics, and fuel, while ensuring that all health and safety guidelines are adhered to. If chemistry is a strong point of yours and you enjoy problem-solving, this could be a great career choice for you.
To perform the best at this career, you’ll need strong management skills. An engineering management degree specializing in chemical engineering is a great choice if you’re hoping to get into this field.
3. Aeronautical Engineering
While the obvious choice for anybody looking to become an aeronautical engineer is to study for a specialized degree in this field, you may be able to take this career path with a wide range of other engineering degree programs, including mechanical, computer science, manufacturing, electrical and even civil engineering. And, if you have already gained a degree in engineering and would like to take your career into the world of airspace, there are several master’s programs and other additional academic programs that you may wish to consider in order to provide you with the foundation of knowledge that you will need.
As an aeronautical engineer, you will be applying a range of scientific, mathematical and technological principles to research, design, develop, and maintain civil and military aircraft, including satellites, weapons and even space aircraft.
4. Electrical Engineering
The field of electrical engineering will provide you with a very strong skill-set that you can offer to employers both within and outside of the engineering industry. It is a very versatile engineering field that often overlaps into other types of engineering.
Those with a degree in electrical engineering can choose to work in several different sectors from construction to media, healthcare and many more. As an electrical engineer, you will be responsible for designing, develop and maintaining electrical control systems and/or components, using a combination of technical knowledge and commercial awareness.
5. IT Consultant
Even if you do not want to work as an engineer, a degree in this field can be very useful for careers in other sectors. If you have a degree in electrical, computer science or software engineering, you may be well suited to a career as an IT consultant.
Your expertise and knowledge of IT would be welcome in a huge range of organizations and industries, and you’d be working in partnership with your clients to guide them on how to best utilize information technology in order to meet business objectives and overcome issues.
6. Quality Control:
Studying for an engineering degree provides you with a solid foundation on which you can build a strong career in quality control. If you understand the importance of quality to both customers and businesses, have a strong eye for detail and enjoy ensuring that quality standards are upheld, this could be an ideal career choice for you.
As a quality manager, you would be responsible for ensuring that the products and/or services of your company are fit for purpose and meet the set standards and guidelines. You will need to follow, or even come up with a set of quality assessment procedures in order to ensure that these standards are upheld at all times.
7. Technical Writer
Would you prefer an office job or the opportunity to work from home? If so, then a degree in engineering puts you in a great position for a career as a technical writer. Technical writers are needed in several industries and their job is to write instructions or descriptions to help people better understand how to use a product or service.
With an engineering degree, you will have gained strong practical knowledge and experience that will be ideal for this role.
Which engineering career would be a good fit for you? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.
