3 Things to Know if You’re Considering Practicing Engineering in the US
There are plenty of exciting industries and fields here within the United State that can lead to incredibly rewarding jobs. With so many experiencing periods of growth and promise, it truly is opening all kinds of doors to those just starting out on their career path. A great example of an industry that is not only growing but helping other industries to move forward, is that of engineering. Engineering is actually a blanket term that covers a large number of disciplines, which means you have plenty of variety and avenues to pursue.
Here we’ll take a look at the top three things to know for anyone who is considering pursuing and practicing engineering in the US.
Research What You Can Do with that Degree
A good place to start is by researching the various careers that you can pursue an engineering degree. As stated, engineering is a wide term that is used to describe all kinds of different disciplines. These can include civil, chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineering, to name a few.
In terms of which type of engineers are currently the most in-demand, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, that would be civil engineers followed by mechanical engineers. As for what level of education you need, you will need at least a bachelor’s degree in the discipline you want to work in.
While each discipline is unique, there are some similarities that stretch across the board. As an engineer, you’ll need to be a critical thinker, have excellent problem-solving skills, strong mathematical skills, and a natural curiosity about you. Engineers at the very core are problem solvers.
Find the Best School for Your Area of Interest
Next, you want to find a school that is known for a program in the stream of engineering you are interested in. Obviously, you want to be sure you learn all the foundations, skills, techniques, and information needed to truly excel in your field.
Because engineering can be such a demanding and often difficult program to get through, it’s a good idea to find tools and techniques that make studying as smooth and effective as possible. For example, you can use PPE HQ to get help with your FE exam preparation. Obtaining that high exam score can be the first step in securing your dream career.
What is the Typical Salary of an Engineer?
It’s great to pick that dream career based on your interests and skills, but you also want to know that it will get the bills paid. In the US, engineers enjoy a median yearly salary of $91,000, with half of those making less and half making more.
The salary is determined by what kind of engineer you are, your experience, your skills, and the industry/employer. When you are fresh out of school, it’s likely you will be in the lower half of that average salary, but you’ll have the ability to work your way up.
Typically, the highest-paid engineers in the country are petroleum, followed by computer hardware engineers, and then aerospace engineers. The average yearly salary of a petroleum engineer is $128,230, as of 2016 published statistics.
Pursuing Your Dream
At the end of the day, practicing engineering in the US is something that can prove to be rewarding in a personal sense, as well as a monetary sense. It is a highly-paid industry that is constantly evolving and pushing other industries forward. If you’ve got that keen eye for detail, is a natural problem solver, and have strong analytical skills, it could be the right path for you.
