Engineering Career Paths That Start with a Bachelor’s Degree
Engineering is a broad and rewarding field that offers a wide range of career opportunities. With a bachelor’s degree in engineering, you can qualify for a variety of entry-level engineering positions. Over time, you can advance to more senior positions with experience and additional education.
Common Engineering Career Paths
Some of the most common engineering career paths include:
- Civil engineers design, build, and maintain infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and buildings.
- Mechanical engineers design, build, and operate machines and other mechanical systems.
- Electrical engineers design, build, and operate electrical systems, such as power plants and telecommunications networks.
- Chemical engineers design, build, and operate chemical plants and other chemical processing facilities.
- Industrial engineers design and improve industrial processes and systems.
- Software engineers design, develop, and maintain computer software.
- Materials engineers research and develop new materials with improved properties.
- Environmental engineers design and implement solutions to environmental problems.
Education and Training
To become an engineer, you will need to earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited university. Accredited engineering programs meet the standards set by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). ABET accreditation is important because it ensures that graduates have the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in the engineering profession.
In addition to your bachelor’s degree, you may also need to complete additional education and training to advance your career. For example, many engineers pursue a master’s degree or doctorate in engineering. You may also need to obtain professional licensure in order to practice engineering in some states.
Job Outlook
The job outlook for engineers is expected to be good over the next several years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of engineers is projected to grow 8% from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to be driven by the increasing demand for engineers to design and build new infrastructure, develop new technologies, and solve environmental problems.
Salary
Engineers can earn a good salary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for engineers was $100,640 in May 2020. The top 10% of earners made more than $162,180, while the bottom 10% earned less than $56,310.
Conclusion
If you are interested in a career in engineering, there are many different paths you can take. With a bachelor’s degree in engineering, you can qualify for a variety of entry-level engineering positions. Over time, you can advance to more senior positions with experience and additional education. The job outlook for engineers is good, and engineers can earn a good salary.
