Engineering is one of the broadest industries you could work in. Whatever your knowledge and skill base, you could have the potential to work in one of many engineering fields, creating, building and maintaining machines and structures that could have huge effects on the daily lives of many people. Here are a few fields of engineering that you could work in.
Computing
If you are a computer whiz, you may make a perfect computer engineer. This area involves developing hardware and software for computers and related equipment. It often combines computer science and electrical engineering. Not only does it cover computers themselves, but you can also work with AI and robotics, putting yourself at the forefront of new technology.
Computer science and engineering is incredibly popular, and there is a huge variety of courses that you can take to train you for this industry. Many colleges and universities offer courses and resources to help develop your talents, and give you expert information and coaching. As computers are so essential to your everyday life, there are many famous and influential computer scientists and engineers that have made a huge impact on modern life.
Biomedical
Engineering is also applicable in the medical industry, with biomedical engineers combining engineering techniques and processes with the needs of medical professionals. This results in the creation of new medical technologies that have saved lives and made huge advances in the medical world. One such technology is the use of prosthetics. Whether they are in the form of dentures or artificial limbs, prosthetics allow the wearer to have as much function as possible, following surgery, illness or accident.
Artificial organs have also been created by biomedical engineers, as has a technology that allows the wearer to write with their eyes. The EyeWriter was created to allow bed-bound individuals to communicate by having the movement of their eyes tracked by the technology in the glasses, and translating this into lines on a display. Technology is constantly advancing, and the medical field is a very exciting one to be a part of. Contributing to these amazing innovations is a very rewarding career choice, and it is incredibly interesting to see how far these technologies have advanced, even just in recent years.
Laser surgery was also created by biomedical engineers, and is used in a huge variety of procedures including laser eye surgery, mole removal, cauterizing and tissue removal. Using lasers instead of traditional medical equipment like scalpels reduces the risk of infection, makes the recovery more comfortable, reduces bleeding and generally allows surgeons to perform more complex procedures. Biomedical engineering is a great way to combine your passions for engineering and medicine, creating technologies that can save lives and have incredible benefits for people all over the world.
Aerospace
If building and developing air and spacecraft sounds like a dream come true, aerospace engineering may be your ideal career; you could even end up working at NASA! This type of engineering involves building and maintaining types of crafts and machinery that travel in the air, including planes and rockets. Solid math and science skills are the basis for any good engineer, and this is certainly the case in this field. There are plenty of courses and degrees available to offer you the best start in your education, and apprenticeships will help you get hands on experience, networking and make useful connections and relationships with others in the field.
As well as being involved in the creation of new technologies, you will also help develop and improve existing one, testing and reviewing work and progress. Technology that is created in the aerospace industry is often transferred to other areas of engineering, and there is usually international collaboration, as creating these great machines is often too much for just one country! Furthermore, the impact of air travel on the environment is a big concern for everyone, and aerospace engineers are always working to reduce and minimize environmental damage. If you are passionate about the environment, and a great problem-solver, this may be the career for you!
Audio
Audio engineering is a brilliant way to combine creativity with engineering. Sound and audio engineers are essential in many industries, such as music, film and TV. Any sounds you hear in these settings are created or assisted by an audio engineer. You could even make the sounds you hear in your favorite video games or albums. Understanding of the music and entertainment industry may help in this role, and keeping up to date with latest trends and technology will help you stay ahead of the crowd.
It is also a good idea to have hands-on experience with the types of sound and audio equipment you may be using, so helping with productions or gigs can really benefit you. Similarly, a course or degree in sound or audio is another great idea, as you will learn from the best, and combine technical knowledge with physical practice. Within the sound engineering industry, there are several subcategories that you can explore. These include:
- Research and development
- Reconstruction
- Systems
- Monitor sound
Agriculture
This section of the industry combines engineering with the land, and is interested in the effects of machinery on the planet, as well as the design and creation of machinery used in farming. If you enjoy learning about the environment and natural world, and are concerned about humanity’s impact on the planet, agricultural engineering will allow you to make a change to how the planet is treated. Practical experience and academic training will provide you with a solid background to pursue work in this area.
Designing, creating, building and maintaining agricultural machinery is just one part of this job. The agricultural industry is responsible for the running of so many of the world’s essentials such as food production, so it is important for them to have good quality equipment to keep up with the increasing demand for resources. You can assist in this by combining your engineering skills with an understanding of the business and the environment, and the impact on the earth.
Agricultural engineers also advise farmers on their practices, including the best land to use to get the best results. Other areas can include AI, animal waste disposal, aquaculture and climate control systems. It is a good career to move into if you enjoy working outdoors, with animals or in a wide variety of locations.
Personal Skills
As well as the technical knowledge and skills required to be an engineer, there are also many personal skills that will make you stand out. Teamwork and collaboration is incredibly important in any career, regardless of whether you are a technician, employee, contractor or manager. For more on engineering management, click here. Being able to listen to others and understand their point of view, offer helpful suggestions and take on advice and criticism are all important teamwork skills. It is essential that everyone respects each other, in order for the team to work in harmony.
Having a flexible approach to your work and ideas will allow you to grow and develop, and will make your products as successful as possible. Refusing to make alterations or change your mind on something can cause conflict, and being stubborn is not always the best way forward. Understanding that your ideas and approaches may need to change and adapt is key collaborating with others and being a successful engineer.
Obviously, becoming an engineer is incredibly hard work, and requires a lot of training and practice. You need to persevere and be committed, sticking to goals and seeking out opportunities. Academic courses and apprenticeships can help you with this, as they will give you lots of information and training from the experts. They can also help you prepare for life as an engineer after training, with job applications, licensing and further training or opportunities. There are many specialist skills and methods that you have to master in the different engineering industries, so some jobs may require you to have a bachelor’s, or even a postgraduate, qualification. It is worth looking at the kind of jobs you may be interested in, and seeing that the requirements and recommendations are. This way, you can make informed decisions about your training and academic choices, preparing yourself in the most effective way.
A good understanding of math and science is also an important starting point for a career in engineering, so advancing your knowledge in these subjects is beneficial. Whether you take extra classes or tutoring, or even teach others in your spare time, immersing yourself in the world of engineering will help you decide which route you want to go down, as well as letting you practice skills and meet new people. Analytical and problem-solving skills are vital, as many engineering roles involve discovering issues and finding ways to overcome them. Identifying problems and causes, working with information and making steps to rectify or alter your work to solve the problem is a very satisfying experience, and these are useful skills to have in any industry.
To read more on topics like this, check out the Technology category
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