Some possible jobs within this career area are:
Depending on your salary goals, you might need to continue your education throughout your engineering career. Commonly offered degree programs include:
- Associate’s Degree
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s Degree
- PhD
Careers in the engineering field are changing along with the world economy. The growth of computers and microprocessors is making software engineers and computer engineers in high demand. However, many of these jobs are growing in countries like China and India. To be successful, you might need to pursue a graduate degree to increase your earning potential and make yourself a more marketable employee. Beyond the global job market, engineers are always in demand. Infrastructure projects designed to boost the economy also boost the job market for civil engineers. Companies need engineers for their research and development projects, and some of the world’s most renowned software and computer companies rely on the creativity of their engineers to remain relevant in today’s fast-paced world.
Most Bachelor’s Degrees for engineering take four years, and some engineers go to college for six years to earn combined Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. A select number of engineers return to school to get their PhD, while other engineers enter the workforce with a two-year Associate’s Degree.
Engineering Degree Programs
The world of engineering includes computers and technology, bridges and roads, and utilities and energy. Engineers build the gadgets we use, design the cities we live in, and develop the technologies of the future.
Are you ready to learn more about engineering? Check out these basics:
How long does it take to study engineering?
Most colleges and universities offer four-year degrees in engineering as well as Master’s Degree programs. Many engineers get their Bachelor’s Degree and return to school to earn their Master’s later on. Some even get their PhD to further advance their studies and their earning potential.
If a Bachelor’s Degree isn’t your goal, you can also study engineering at the Associate’s level. Many technical colleges offer two-year programs in computer science, technology and other engineering disciplines.
Different careers can require different levels of study. Civil engineers, who design bridges and roads, often need Master’s Degrees. But computer programmers can get a job with a Bachelor’s Degree – and, depending on your skills, with an Associate’s Degree as well.
Where could engineering take me?
The spectrum of jobs in the engineering field is diverse. You could work as a mechanical engineer, and build engines and other components that are built in factories. As an electrical engineer, you could work on a team that builds microchips and invents the latest technologies. Civil engineers design the great bridges of the world. And software engineers show off their creativity by designing programs that make our life easier.
All of these career paths mean that you could work in a factory, in an office or in a foreign country. An engineer can be the hands-on builder, the corporate manager who negotiates multi-national deals, or the creative entrepreneur who builds an empire from the comfort of home.
Which types of engineering degrees are available?
Because of the wide array of engineering careers that are available, there is also a wide array of degree programs offered for engineers. Typically, your career choice would dictate the level of education you need. But your resume, skill set and creativity can also be a big boost to your engineering career.
Most engineers have at least a Bachelor’s Degree, but many others earn Master’s Degrees or even a PhD. Many technical colleges also offer classes for specific disciplines like computer science or software design.
You can earn these types of certifications or degrees in engineering:
- Associate’s Degree: A two-year degree, this is typically offered by technical colleges or junior colleges. Two-year degrees offer courses in the fundamentals in engineering.
- Bachelor’s Degree: A four-year degree offered by most colleges or universities. You might want to specify your course of study in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Civil Engineering or another specialized engineering program.
- Master’s Degree: A two-or three-year degree earned after a Bachelor’s Degree. These degrees are in specialized areas, so you can become an expert in your chosen field.
- PhD: A doctorate, usually reserved for senior- or executive-level engineers, or engineers who want to teach in a university setting.