While engineering and technology are often lumped together, they are separate types of careers. It’s important to consider these two career paths separately. Let’s look at both of them individually to determine if engineering and technology are good career paths.
Is Engineering a Good Career Path?
Were you one of those kids who loved building? Whether you were using blocks, rolling clay, or play dough, you were always trying to create. As you grew older, were you overly curious about the things around you, always taking them apart to see how they work? Did these traits stay with you as other kids outgrew this stage? If this analogy describes you, you could be poised for a career in engineering.
An engineer applies mathematical and scientific principles to develop, improve and maintain various structures. Researching, designing, analyzing, testing, recording, and production supervising are some of the main day-to-day duties of an engineer.
Engineering Career Path Outlook
Technology is taking over several sectors, and engineering is no exception. With the automation of so many basic functions, will engineering be taken over by machines? This could be the case, but we need people to build and maintain those machines, exactly where engineering comes in.
Engineers are evidently here to stay. There will always be a need for building, improving, and maintaining systems, physical or otherwise. One of the recent Bureau of Labor Statistics research predicts almost 140,000 new engineering posts over the 10 years of 2016-2026. Civil, mechanical, industrial, and electrical engineering occupations are expected to occupy the first 4 positions respectively in the provision of new jobs.
Jobs in the Engineering Career Path
Engineering careers are subdivided into categories depending on the sector they focus on. Here are some of the fields you can specialize in:
- Civil Engineering: This is probably the oldest and most common form of engineering. These engineers work on buildings, roads, bridges, water treatment plants, and others, including the systems interconnecting them.
- Mechanical Engineering: Mechanical engineers design and construct devices and machines. They utilize their expertise mainly in math and science to research, design, develop and test various products. A mechanical engineer will work on anything from a kitchen appliance, lawnmower to a bulldozer.
- Electrical Engineering: Engineers here work on electric systems and devices, from single elements to entire stations. Since electric power is used in almost every field, electrical engineers can work in various sectors, building and maintaining their electrical systems.
- Chemical Engineering: Here, the engineers utilize chemical formulas to facilitate the production of food, pharmaceuticals, detergents, industrial chemicals, etc. If you’re drawn to microbiology, chemical engineering would be your best bet.
- Petroleum Engineering: Although not so common, petroleum engineering is the highest paying branch of engineering. Petroleum engineers take part in the exploration of gas and oil sources. They must come up with the least destructive ways of extracting these materials.
Education Requirements in Engineering
To kick off your engineering career, you need a bachelor’s degree in the relevant field of engineering. Since the various engineering roles are interrelated, you can specialize in more than one field. Remember, the courses consist mainly of math and science; consider them only if you’re proficient in this area.
Is Technology a Good Career Path?
Technology or simply tech is the timeless career of the 21st century. Over the past decade, tech has taken over as the fastest-growing sector of all. The technology industry will challenge and inspire you in equal measure. Right there on your computer lies endless opportunities to research, create, discover and innovate new vibrant products across various sectors.
In the tech world, nothing is impossible. What can be imagined can be done. If you have an animated mind bubbling with ideas, this vigorous career could be your best fit.
Technology Career Path Outlook
Even before looking at the statistics, it’s easy that a career in technology provides the most positive outlook. In the past decade, tech startups have overtaken long-running conventional companies to lead the way with massive revenues and impact.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics confirms just that. The number of people employed in the computer and technology sector is expected to surge by 11% between 2019 and 2029, the most rapid of all sectors. The growth will bring on about 531,000 new jobs.
The median annual wage in this sector is more than double that of other occupations. If you’re looking for a perennial high-paying career, you could not be better placed than with a career in technology.
Education Requirements
It may come as a surprise that a career as dynamic as technology does not necessarily require a college degree. Here, skill precedes academic qualifications. Once you demonstrate your capability to an employer, you’re likely to be granted a chance even without academic papers. There are plenty of online resources to help you hone your skills in your area of interest. With time and practice, you’ll be the kind of pro that employers head-hunt for.
Should you have an opportunity to receive a formal education, by all means, do. A degree in information technology and computers would be a great place to start. You can then specialize in one of the many technology fields, some of which are listed below.
Jobs Available in Technology
Depending on your interest, you can work in various sectors in tech. The most common include:
- Software developer
- Web developer
- Computer system analyst
- Programming
- Computer support
- Hardware engineer
If you’re wondering how to find a job in the industry, remember every company needs some form of technical support. You can start by applying for simple freelancing tasks online. These online platforms allow clients to rate your work, and if you have a consistently high rating, your services will be on-demand, and you’ll earn more.
If you’re looking for a flexible job, a career in technology is likely to provide just that. Many companies will allow you to work remotely, eliminating the hassles of traffic and rigid suits. You can also pick your working hours, so you have enough time left for your other interests. You can delve into all these possibilities and more with a career in technology.
Jordan Fabel
Covering different 'paths' that people's lives can take. Creative, foster parent, ticket dismissal, you get the idea. Exploring the requirements, certifications, exams, and obviously, approved courses along each path.