engineering as a career

Engineering As A Career

by Clyde A. Lettsome, PhD, PE, MEM

• What Do Engineers Do?• Types of Engineers• Engineering vs. Engineering Technology• Engineering Job Security & Salaries• What is Expected?• Overview of Expectations• Advantages of Licensing• Career Goals

Outline

Engineers use of science and math knowledge to solve man-kind’s problems

“Scientists investigate that which already is; Engineers create that which has never been”

-Albert Einstein-

What Do Engineers Do?

Engineers are solutionists. We solve the worlds problems. This means we create what has never been.

We do what we do for the love:◦No for the rewards. There is no Nobel

Prize for engineering◦Most engineers would probably give

technology away if they can get their base needs met.

What Do Engineers Do?

Aerospace Biomedical Biomolecular Chemical Civil Computer Electrical

Types of Engineers Environmental Industrial Materials Mechanical Nuclear and

Radiological Ocean

Electrical sub-fields (technical interest area)◦ Power◦ Control◦ Microelectronics◦ Telecommunication (2)◦ Instrumentation◦ Computers (3)◦ Signal Processing (1)◦ Optics◦ RF

Types of Engineers

An engineering technologist, is a specialist devoted to the implementation of existing technology within a field of engineering.

-Wikipedia-

Engineering technology is much more hands-on and less theory based.

Engineer vs. Engineering Technologist

Job Security in almost all Engineering disciplines is good. Why?

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) survey, the following are the highest anticipated annual salary offer to 2011grads with BS:◦ 1. Chemical engineering -- $66,886◦ 2. Computer science -- $63,017◦ 3. Mechanical engineering -- $60,739◦ 4. Electrical/electronics and communications

engineering -- $60,646◦ 5. Computer engineering -- $60,112

Engineering Job Security & Salaries

◦ 6. Industrial/manufacturing engineering --$58,549

◦ 7. Systems engineering -- $57,497◦ 8. Engineering technology -- $57,176◦ 9. Information sciences & systems -- $56,868◦ 10. Business systems networking/

telecommunications -- $56,808

Engineering Job Security & Salaries

Money should not be your motivation.

“To those whom much is given, much is expected.”

-President John F. Kennedy-

“Doctors and Lawyers practice, Engineers have to get it right.”

-unknown but told to me by David Mager

What is Expected?

Few cases I have seen, heard, or been a part of

Rocket launches from Cape Canaveral. Local media tells public that rocket has nuclear fuel on board.

Ron Brown killed, along with 34 others, in a 1996 plane crash in Croatia.

911 terrorist turn of transponders in high-jacked planes

What is Expected?

Education– Academic Integrity – Bachelors minimum from an ABET Accredited

School–Masters for the competitive market

Certifications & Licenses– Professional Engineering (PE) from the National

Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)– Practical Work– Recommendation by a Professional Engineer– Fundamental In Engineering Exam– Professional Engineering Exam

– Certifications– Cisco Certification, MS Certifications, etc.

Overview of Expectations

Prepare, sign and seal, and submit engineering plans to a public authority

A legal requirement for those who are in responsible charge of work who wish to pursue a career as a consulting engineer

For those considering a career in education More credibility as expert witnesses in court

than most engineers.

Advantages to PE Licensing

Moore’s Law – Technology doubles every 18 to 24 months– Continuing Education– Take classes at a university– Obtain training in your discipline– Attend conferences and webinars– Write papers and reviews– Attend Seminars

– Become an active member of a Professional Society– Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)– American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)– American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

Continuing Education Goals

Career Tracks–Management – Obtain an MBA or MEM–Technical – Obtain MS in your discipline

of Engineering–Research & Education – Obtain a PhD

Career Goals

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