Are you thinking about starting a new career in engineering? Read this article to learn about the different types of engineering degrees.
An engineering degree is a game-changer and sets you up for many career opportunities. Mechanical engineering is the most popular engineering degree, with 30,000 graduates yearly.
Apart from a mechanical engineering degree, there are tons of other engineering degrees. In the United States, about 110,000 students graduate with a bachelor’s degree in engineering each year. If you want to start a career, then an engineering degree is perfect.
In this piece, we’ll look at the different types of engineering degrees for your career path. That way, you can take the right degree course and secure your future with an engineering career.
1. Mechanical Engineering
A mechanical engineering degree is an excellent engineering degree course to pursue. It’s among the oldest types of engineering and is also one of the broadest. It entails the study, analysis, and design of mechanical systems for real-world applications.
That means you’ll learn about stress analysis, mechanics, drawing, and other subjects. As mentioned earlier, it’s a very broad engineering degree, and down the line, you might have to specialize. You should consider mechanical engineering if you:-
- You are great with coordinated team activities
- You like fiddling with mechanical devices
- You have an infatuation with robots
Mechanical engineering overlaps with many other types of engineering. This makes it excellent for anyone with an insatiable thirst for engineering knowledge.
2. Civil and Structural Engineering
All the lofty buildings and civil structures you see are the products of civil engineers. Civil engineering deals with the design and development of infrastructure projects. These infrastructural projects include transport systems, water supply, and building infrastructure.
Structural engineering specializes in the design and erection of civil structures. Most people would want to know what is structural engineering and whether it’s interchangeable with civil engineering because the two are very confusing.
To set things straight, civil engineering is an umbrella term, while structural engineering is a branch of the former. Civil or structural engineering is ideal for you if you like:-
- Buildings and building designs
- Geotechnics like soil mechanics
- Transport systems, including roads and railways systems
- Computer-aided design for infrastructural projects
Just like mechanical engineering, civil engineering is also very broad. You can specialize in structural engineering, environmental engineering, or transportation engineering.
3. Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
This engineering branch deals with designing, developing, and constructing aircraft technology. Aeronautical engineering covers flight within the earth’s atmosphere. Aerospace engineering, on the other hand, extends to space flights.
Aeronautic and aerospace engineering are very exciting branches of engineering but aren’t easy. However, you should pursue these degrees if:-
- You are keen to learn about flight travel mechanics
- You are fascinated with planes, jets, and spacecraft
- Computer simulations on the workings of air machinery interest you
Aeronautical engineering involves learning about aerodynamics, propulsions, and aeroelasticity, among other subjects. Few universities offer degrees in aeronautics and aerospace engineering because the equipment and facilities for these courses are expensive.
4. Chemical Engineering
If chemistry is your strongest field, then you should consider a degree in chemical engineering. Chemical engineering is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a branch of engineering that deals with engineering chemicals for various purposes.
You should consider chemical engineering if:-
- You are fascinated by the chemical processes behind everyday products
- Your mindset is analytic and systematic
- You have always been interested in chemistry as a subject
Chemical engineering is also very broad, and you can specialize in specific facets. For instance, you can choose to focus on chemical reaction engineering, chemical plant design, or even processes engineering.
5. Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical engineering focuses on developing machines and systems for healthcare. It combines both medical and engineering knowledge and principles.
The demand for biomedical systems has been at an all-time high, especially with the current pandemic. The average salary of a biomedical engineer was about $95,090 in 2018. That figure is likely to be more now, give the current demand of biomedical engineers.
Pursue biomedical engineering if you are passionate about improving health care through technology.
6. Electrical/Electronic Engineering
Most people use electronic and electrical engineering interchangeably, but that’s not the case. Electrical engineers deal with large scale electricity plants and distribution systems.
Electronic engineering focuses on the design and development of smaller electronic circuits. These circuits are the type you find on electronic devices.
You should consider a degree in electrical/electronic engineering if you:-
- You are curious about the workings of power grids and electrical devices
- You are keen on developing the next phase of technological advancements
- You have an analytical mind with good memory
Universities across the US offer excellent programs in electrical and electronic engineering. Apart from the actual course, there are mentorship programs and even university-organization partnerships.
7. Industrial Engineering
Industrial engineers study, design, and develop industrial processes mostly for the manufacturing sector. Industrial engineers streamline industrial processes for faster and more efficient production.
With the manufacturing sector rapidly expanding, industrial engineers are on high demand countrywide. That means the average salary for an industrial engineer is set to increase.
Pick Your Favorite From These Types of Engineering Degrees
With about 40 different types of engineering degrees, you have plenty to choose from. Just remember to pick an engineering degree that best suits you, and one that you can handle. It isn’t uncommon for people to enroll in engineering degree programs but fail to finish.
Almost all engineering degree courses involve a lot of reading, and it’s something you’ll have to get used to. That’s why you should read all the other posts on the site for some practice.