What Can You Do With an Engineering Degree?
If you enjoy solving practical problems and creating innovative solutions, a career in engineering can be a rewarding challenge. Engineering is a diverse field that builds on the natural sciences and analytical reasoning to provide solutions to a wide range of problems. There are many different types of engineers and career paths for engineering graduates. Palm Beach Atlantic University offers a Bachelor of Science in Engineering that can prepare you for an exciting career that matches your skills and interests.
What Do Engineers Do?
There are so many different types of engineering, and the exact responsibilities will depend on the field that an engineer works in. Put simply, engineers figure out how things work in order to design, create, fix, and maintain the many systems that modern society runs on.
Engineers will study the natural sciences with an eye toward optimizing the systems they work on. In addition to science and math skills, engineers use practical knowledge of the specific systems they work with (such as computer hardware, electrical circuits, or roadways) to solve problems.
Jobs With An Engineering Degree
Here are some of the best jobs you can get with a degree in engineering.
Computer Engineer
Computer Engineering blends computer science with electrical engineering to design or fix computer systems. Computer engineering has several subfields such as hardware engineering, software engineering, and network engineering.
Median Annual Salary:$138,080
Job Outlook: 5% growth over the next decade
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical engineering is a broad area of engineering that studies, designs, and fixes power-producing machines. Mechanical engineers will also work with control systems and sensors in a wide range of devices.
Median Annual Salary: $99,510 per year
Job Outlook: 10% growth over the next decade
Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical engineers support the health and wellbeing of society by solving problems in medicine and the health sciences. Biomedical engineers can design life-saving devices and innovative medical instruments.
Median Annual Salary: $100,730 per year
Job Outlook: 5% growth over the next decade
Electrical Engineer
Electrical engineers will develop a strong understanding of electricity and circuits to design and maintain many different types of electrical systems. Electrical engineers help turn the natural force of electricity into usable energy.
Median Annual Salary: $109,010 per year
Job Outlook: 5% growth over the next decade
Aerospace Engineer
As the name implies, aerospace engineers design flying objects such as aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, and rockets. Aerospace engineers will need a strong understanding of aerodynamics and materials sciences.
Median Annual Salary: $130,720 per year
Job Outlook: 6% growth over the next decade
Chemical Engineer
Chemical engineers design and synthesize new products based on the principles of chemistry and physics. Chemical engineering is a great field for students who enjoy science and problem-solving.
Median Annual Salary: $112,100 per year
Job Outlook: 8% growth over the next decade
Environmental Engineer
Environmental engineers are tasked with solving many of society’s environmental problems such as pollution control, waste processing, and water sanitation. Environmental engineers make an immense positive contribution to the communities they work in.
Median Annual Salary: $100,090 per year
Job Outlook: 6% growth over the next decade
Agricultural Engineer
Growing food is now a well-developed science and agricultural engineers deal with many of the practical applications of this research. Agricultural engineers help optimize crop yields and can help solve food shortages.
Median Annual Salary: $88,750 per year
Job Outlook: 6% growth over the next decade
Civil Engineer
Civil engineers design and oversee the construction of buildings and other structures. Civil engineers will benefit from a strong grasp of the natural sciences and an eye for design.
Median Annual Salary: $95,890 per year
Job Outlook: 5% growth over the next decade
Technical Writer
Engineering graduates shouldn’t overlook the qualification their training gives them in fields such as science and technical writing. Technical writers may use their advanced knowledge of a topic to review products or survey complex issues.
Median Annual Salary: $80,050 per year
Job Outlook: 7% growth over the next decade
Engineering Consultant
An engineering consultant supports businesses and engineering teams and provides advice and feedback. They are experts in their field and support clients to meet their engineering needs.
Median Annual Salary: $90,817
Job Outlook: 7% growth over the next decade
Engineering Concentrations
Computer Engineering
Create new technologies by combining the disciplines of electrical engineering and computer science. Learn more about computer design and computer hardware with a computer engineering concentration.
Electrical Engineering
A concentration in electrical engineering will teach you about electrons, electromagnetism, and electricity. Electrical engineers design and test electrical equipment for a variety of purposes.
Engineering Physics
A concentration in engineering physics can help you combine engineering skills with the study of physics to solve real-world problems. Engineering physicists typically work for private companies or in laboratories.
General Engineering
If you aren’t sure what area of engineering you’d like to specialize in, you can earn a concentration in general engineering. This will ensure you’ve developed the essential skills needed for any area of engineering.
What Will I Learn in an Engineering Degree?
While there are dozens of types of engineering, they all require a strong foundation in the natural sciences. Engineering students will use first principles from physics, chemistry, and mathematics to understand problems and find answers in any domain.
Here are some courses you’re likely to take in an engineering degree.
- Calculus
- Algebra
- Physics
- Thermodynamics
- Statistical Mechanics
- Chemistry
- Electricity & Magnetism
- Control Systems
- Classical Mechanics
Engineering students will also learn about relevant quality and safety standards in their chosen field of engineering. Many forms of engineering have public safety implications and must meet standardized guidelines. A well-rounded engineering degree will also teach students to work in teams, communicate effectively in written and spoken formats, and recognize their ethical and professional responsibilities.
Students in PBA’s engineering programs will complete a senior design project to demonstrate their real-world skills and ensure they are ready for the challenges of an engineering career.
Learn more about PBA’s Engineering Degree
Palm Beach Atlantic University offers a cutting-edge Bachelor of Science in Engineering that can help you reach your career goals. Learn more about this exciting degree program and start your application today!