Engineering

Dean Willoughby

Mr. Alburger

English III

29 January 2018
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Dean Willoughby

Mr. Alburger

English III

29 January 2018

Engineering

Engineering has many different routes and career opportunities. Different types of

engineering consist of mechanical, civil, chemical, and nuclear. Each one has different career

choices and each one requires different skill sets and education. As buildings age and new

technologies developed the demand for engineers increases, as problems arise engineers

opportunities in the workforce also rise.This makes engineering a viable career for a good future.

Engineering has existed for many years, and the industrial engineering sparked many of

the innovations we have today. “In ancient times, engineering focused on meeting basic survival

needs. People needed to get food and water, to clothe and shelter themselves, and to protect

themselves from animals” (Zuchora- Walske). Engineering helped to solve the problems of

attaining basic needs. Some of the earliest feats in engineering like the wheel and the spear

helped humans survive and get around for many years. “Engineers design our modern world.

They combine science and technology to create incredible vehicles, structures, and

objects”(Carmichael). Engineering can solve many problems, without engineering todays society

may not have even existed. The world would not seem as modern without engineers.“A broad

set of skills is especially important in meeting the challenges of restoring deteriorating

infrastructure and working with restricted financing” (Bauer). This clearly explains the need for
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engineers. Civil and mechanical engineers play a major role in building and restoring buildings.

With an aging society buildings need maintenance and engineers to perform the maintenance.

Engineers have a variety of job paths they can take such as mechanical engineering.

“Engineers in this field design, test, build, and operate machinery of all types; they also work on

a variety of manufactured goods and certain kinds of structures.” (Engineering). Mechanical

engineers play an important part in maintaining electronics and things manufacturing companies

use in their assembly lines. Mechanical engineers help the economy by keeping machines

running and allowing for companies to produce efficiently. Without engineers to maintain

assembly line machines, production would fall as well as the economy. Mechanical engineers

also help to design new ways to operate machinery in more efficient ways. This allows the

completion of jobs faster and more efficient to maximize production and get more to the

consumer.“A typical example of the complexity of modern mechanical engineering is the design

of an Automobile”Engineers help with the design and production of cars. “Which entails not

only the design of the engine that drives the car but also all its attendant accessories such as the

steering and braking systems, the lighting system, the gearing by which the engine's power is

delivered to the wheels, the controls, and the body, including such details as the door latches and

the type of seat upholstery” (Engineering) Mechanical engineers play a major role in the

automobile industry, keeping assembly line machines running and designing the cars themselves.

They design more than just the engine and the working parts, they also help with the lights and

other accessories in the car. Without mechanical engineers the economy and car industry would

not perform and produce cars as well as it does today. Cars would not get produced as efficiently
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and would not have the same quality as they have today. Mass production of cars would also

decline without the assembly line to speed up the process of making cars.

Many careers involving mechanical engineering require some form of education

beyond high school. “The BLS reports that a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering is

necessary for most entry-level positions in the field.”(How). Many of these courses involve

math, life and physical science, and some design classes. “Students may spend time in the

computer lab, too, working with advanced computer-aided design (CAD) software”(How). This

will prepare them for careers in mechanical engineering. Once students obtain and education the

student then should obtain a license. “In the United States, all mechanical engineers that offer

services directly to the general public must hold a state license” (How). Once students pass a

ABET-accredited engineering program they can apply for an engineering license. They then

must pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam offered by the National Council of

Examiners for Engineering and Surveying. After all of this students must work for 4 years in the

field and then can take the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam to become

Professional Engineers. Many states require continued education and renewal of the licenses.

Students can also get a masters degree in mechanical engineering. students should

choose this if the students want to specialize in a certain area of engineering such as biomedical

engineering, mechanical design, and transportation systems. “A master's degree program, which

takes about two years to complete, lets students concentrate on a subsection of the discipline and

gain expertise in their chosen area of interest”(How). Masters degrees offer less variety but more

stable job opportunities and maybe even a higher pay.

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Engineering can also get broken down into civil engineering. Civil engineers focus on

structures inside cities such as buildings, bridges, and highways..“ An extensive market research

study, involving 17 focus groups comprising students, parents, teachers, counselors, engineering

faculty, and practicing civil engineers confirmed that the civil engineering profession faces

serious image and recruiting problems”(Careers). Civil engineers help to further building and

design in cities, without them projects may not even get done much less get done efficiently.

Restoration also requires civil engineering, especially in today's society with aging buildings that

require the attention and maintenance of a civil engineer.

Like mechanical engineers, civil engineers need a basic engineering degree.

Students can obtain one by going to 2 to 3 years of college and receiving a bachelor's degree in

engineering. Many schools offer these degrees, the subject area includes a wide range of subjects

like math, engineering, and architectural design. “Successful civil engineers have strong math,

science, and problem - solving skills”(How). Civil engineers need a good education to perform

successful in the workforce. Strong math skills will allow for one to get a better engineering job.

Almost all civil engineer programs require an internship. Internships allow for hands on

experience and for practical skills to experience in the workforce. Exactly like mechanical

engineering, civil engineers need to get certified by following the same process and taking the

same qualification test as mechanical engineers. Once done, students can enter the workforce.

Civil engineers can get a variety of jobs, structural engineers make around $62,000 annually,

civic engineers make roughly 82,000 $, and civic engineering project managers can make close

to $85,000 annually.
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Engineers even keep cities powered with the right training and specialization in the field.

Nuclear engineers work in nuclear power plants and work to keep cities powered and safe. “The

study resulted from a concern about the downward trends in student enrollments in NE, in both

graduate and undergraduate programs” (National) This study showed that the field has

opportunities and many openings because of the lack of students coming out of schools and

going into the field. The same criteria for other engineering jobs such as certification and

obtaining a license are requirements for entering the workforce.

Electrical engineers also fall under the category of engineering. Electrical engineers focus

more on electrical devices. “ Electrical engineers work on anything from small pocket devices to

large aircraft electrical systems. Engineers test prototypes and evaluate and improve systems”

(How). Many industries have need for electrical engineer so jobs can be found almost anywhere.

“The highest earners are located in California, Alaska, Massachusetts, the District of Columbia

and Washington state” (How). Electrical engineers make anywhere from 40-90 thousand dollars

annually in California.Students should focus on upcoming technologies in order to have more

opportunities to earn money in their career. Electrical engineering is a forward moving career

with many opportunities because in today's world technology is improved and changed often

causing the need for electrical engineers to go up.

New technologies called for a new kind of engineering, computer engineering. “With the

growing need for technological advancement, it should not come as a surprise that approximately

38 percent of all technological professionals work in computer engineering—hardware (27

percent) and software (11 percent)—according to CompTIA”(How). Computer engineers have a

high demand in the workforce, because of this many students choose computer engineering when
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going into a technological career. “However, between those two paths, the outlook for hardware

engineers is slightly tempered when compared to software engineers” (How). New computers

and technology increase the need for computer and electrical engineers. Despite the many

opportunities on both sides of the career, software engineers have a wider range of creativity and

opportunities in the workforce. Computer engineers can split into two categories or careers.,

software engineers and hardware engineers. Hardware engineers focus on the pieces to a

computer such as microprocessors motherboards, and router devices. Software engineers focus

on designing, and debugging programs that run on computers. “Just as there are countless apps,

software programs and computers that function for specific tasks, there are just as many career

options for those who wish to enter the computer engineering profession”(How). Both play a

role in society and play an important part in today's advancing world of technology.

Society needs computer engineers because of all the new technological advancements

made. “With the growing need for technological advancement, it should not come as a surprise

that approximately 38 percent of all technological professionals work in computer

engineering—hardware (27 percent) and software (11 percent)—according to CompTIA.

However, between those two paths, the outlook for hardware engineers is slightly tempered

when compared to software engineers”(How). New technology creates new jobs in this field but

may require different education. “According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median

income for this profession was $108,430 in 2014, but the top-earners make more than $160,000”

(How). Computer engineering provides a good median pay, and can prove to be a strong career.

Staying on top of current technologies can allow for growth into other areas in this career and

higher pay.
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To become a computer engineer, start by getting an associates or bachelor degree in

computer science. “At the associate degree level, prospective students can select from two

educational paths: Electronics and Computer Technology or Pre-Engineering with a Computer

and Electrical Engineering emphasis” (How). Bachelor degrees have a wider range of options

and choices for a more broad education. “The master's degree in computer engineering is

designed to prepare students for further studies at the doctoral level or for career advancement”

(How). Advanced study such as a masters degree provides more opportunities in the field, and

can even allow one to become a hardware engineer. Once ready for the workforce you can

specialize in a certain subject area or remain open for a wider career choice. Some jobs require

specialization and a higher education especially for hardware engineers. Proper certification also

helps, many companies will not hire a software or hardware engineer unless they get certified.

As buildings age and new technologies developed the demand for engineers increases, as

problems arise engineers opportunities in the workforce also rise.This makes engineering a

viable career for a good future.Engineering has come a long way from the primitive forms that

existed before modern engineering. New technologies create more jobs in the field of electrical

and computer engineering, new buildings and aging buildings create demand for civil and

mechanical engineers. As cities grow more power is needed creating a need for nuclear

engineers. Without engineers the world would truly be a different place, we have them to thank

for many of the necessities we take for granted in day to day life.
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Works Cited

Bauer, Ewa and Cindy L. Menches. "Why We Need Renaissance Engineers: Golden Gate Bridge

Seismic Retrofit Phase II Case Study." ​Journal of Construction Engineering &

Management,​ vol. 137, no. 10, Oct. 2011, pp. 901-905. EBSCO​host​,

doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000321.

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b=bth&AN=66950149&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Carmichael, L. E. ​Amazing Feats of Civil Engineering.​ ABDO Publishing, 2015. Great.

Achievements in Engineering. EBSCO​host.​

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"Engineering." ​Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia,​ 2017, p. 1p. 1. EBSCO​host,​

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“HOW TO BECOME A MECHANICAL ENGINEER: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

DEGREES & CAREERS.” ​Learn How to Become,​

www.learnhowtobecome.org/mechanical-engineer/​.

National Academy of Sciences - National Research Council, Washington, DC. Commission on

Engineering and Technical Systems. ​U.S. Nuclear Engineering Education: Status and

Prospects.​ 01 Jan. 1990. EBSCO​host,​

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Zuchora-Walske, Christine. Key Discoveries in Engineering and Design. Lerner Publications,

2015. Science Discovery Timelines. EBSCOhost,

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Careers in Civil Engineering​. Institute for Career Research, 2009. EBSCO​host,​

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