Engineering: A Great Career
Are you good at math and science? Are you creative? Do you like solving puzzles? Are you curious about how things work? Do you want to make a difference in the world? If so, have you considered a career in engineering?
Engineering is the largest of all the scientific and technical professions. In fact, among all professions, only elementary and secondary teaching employs more people. Engineering is also a very diverse profession. For example, at Lockheed Martin engineers work in a variety of different disciplines-aerospace, electrical, mechanical, nuclear, software, and systems engineering, to name a few.
A career as an engineer offers the opportunity to do an amazing array of challenging things, earn a very good salary, and work in different parts of the world using leading-edge technology. The work engineers do is important and touches every aspect of our daily lives-from designing bridges and buildings; to making sure our water is clean; to ensuring we have power for heating and lighting; to space exploration and health care and national security; to equipping us with computers, MP3 players, cell phones, and video games.
One of the most important things you can do to keep your options open for a future career in engineering is to take the right courses in school-including algebra, geometry, biology, chemistry, and physics. But don't overlook language arts studies. After all, engineers must be able to write proposals and reports, and present ideas and designs effectively! Every profession looks for well-rounded people, and engineering is no exception!
While earnings for engineers vary by discipline, as a group engineers earn some of the highest average starting salaries among college graduates. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, career opportunities in engineering are only expected to increase for the future engineers sitting in classrooms today. In the coming years, many of these job openings will arise from the need to replace engineers who retire or who move into management, sales or other professional opportunities.
- Aerospace Engineering
Salary range: $56,000-$115,000
- Electrical Engineering
Salary range: $47,000-$110,000
- Mechanical Engineering
Salary range: $44,000-$100,000
- Nuclear Engineering
Salary range: $63,000-$119,000
- Software Engineering
Salary range: $51,000-$126,000
- Systems Engineering
Salary range: $44,000-$113,000
*From Career Opportunities in Engineering, by Susan Echaore-McDavid and Richard A. McDavid (Checkmark Books, 2006)
