Wondering if a career in engineering could be right for you? Learn more about the different types and qualifications needed, below.
Engineering isn’t a one-size-fits-all job. We think of it as one role, but actually the type of engineer you become will depend on your area of expertise. You might prefer automotive engineering or design engineering. You might want to build engines for windmills, or for ships. Whatever you choose the qualifications you need to pursue your career will vary slightly. In this article, we have outlined what qualifications you will need to define your career as an engineer.
What Do Engineers Do?
First, let’s discuss what it is that engineers actually do all day. You will be unsurprised to know that they are involved in the design, manufacture, and testing, of new parts, ideas, structures, and strategies. An electrical engineer will study electronics, devising the best way to incorporate machine learning or electrical components with their new design ideas. A chemical engineer, on the other hand, is like an old world alchemist, designing new chemicals to tackle old problems.
An engineer is a problem solver. They look at ways they can improve our quality of life through applying new skills, technology, research, and data, that we didn’t have before, to build new things. For example, an engineer looked at the cars we drive and decided to improve the fuel consumption of the design by inventing the electric car.
What Types of Engineer are there?
There are multiple types of Engineering Jobs available. You might be any of the following if you choose this career path:
- Automotive engineer – who designs, builds, and fixes, engines and car parts
- Civil engineering – who design the cities we live in
- Electrical engineers – deal with electronics and how to disperse electricity in building plans
- Computer engineers – design computer components
- Systems engineers – who look at your software systems
- Environmental engineers – who design spaces meant for wildlife
- Marine engineers – who specialise in boats
- Aerospace engineers – who focus on aircraft
And so on. Engineers are the inventors of the modern world. If your industry has potential progress to make, the engineers are the ones who push for it.
What Qualifications do Engineers Need?
Before you can rush out and start applying for jobs, you ought to study up to give yourself the best chance of landing a position. The area of study you pursue depends entirely on the type of engineer you want to be. Decide this first, before you pick your course.
Engineers typically take a subject + engineering. This could combine into one course through specialist colleges and universities, or it may involve studying both separately. UCAS have a good list of potential engineering courses you could pursue if you choose this career path.
What Salary does an Engineer Make?
We saved the best for last. What salary does an engineer make? Again, this depends on the type of engineering you apply yourself to. You could make a starting salary of £20,000, or you could be a high end engineer with years of experience taking home £150,000 or more. Study hard if you want to earn the big bucks.