How to Decide Which Engineering Path Is Right For You

November 15, 2013- When a student or young professional is trying to decide on a career path, the answer is not always clear. Often, one is expected to make this decision with relatively little life experience – or while still in school. Mari-Louise Ross, an engineer with more than 20 years of experience, offers sound advice for those considering which field of engineering to enter. She recently shared some tips in a Huffington Post article, including:

1. Conduct your research as broadly as possible. The more traditional areas of engineering are electrical or electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering and industrial engineering. Computer engineering and engineering technology are fairly new additions. There also are sub-sets, including: bio-engineering, environmental engineering, petrochemical engineering, mining engineering, or aerospace engineering.

2. The future of engineering will most likely be in fields that can provide sustainable energy and renewable resources, so these are likely to become high-demand fields in the near future.

3. Engineering studies can be combined with many other fields. These can include things like medicine, genetics, forestry, marine biology, physics, applied mathematics and computer science. All these lead to interesting skill combinations that can open doors to interesting career paths.

4. Many engineers feel the need to improve their commercial, financial, or management knowledge after they have gained some basic engineering experience. This could include a higher degree Engineering Management, general Business or management studies, and MBA or one of various certifications (such as that of Project Manager). A few years of work experience can help shape preferences.

5. Consider likely work locations in your choice of study. Certain fields of engineering are tied to specific locations. For Chemical Engineering, or Petrochemical Engineering, one is often most marketable in areas that have natural oil or energy resources. Certain types of Civil Engineering require frequent travel.

6. Certain areas of engineering lend itself better to being an independent consultant or a small consultancy. I have seen smaller civil-engineering companies. Certain types of engineering might be better suited to larger corporations.

To read more.

Carnow Conibear and Associates is a demonstrated leader in the occupational and environmental health professions since 1975. To find out more, click here or call us at (800) 860-4486.