Engineering As A Career

Engineering
Engineering as a career option has to be finalized at an age when the
student opting for is not very mature. Most of the time its the parents
choice, who undoubtedly think in the best interest of their ward or the
students imitating the seniors. Not necessary, those furnishing the
advice are engineers or have the complete idea of engineering as a
profession. Its seldom that the one opting for the career is completely
aware of Engineering as a profession.

Engineering related Career Options

The ethos of Engineering is not new to the Indian subcontinent. The
Rustless Wonder - the Iron Pillar at Delhi, in the memory of Chandra
Gupta Vikramaditya, is testimony to the advances made in metallurgy
some 2000 years back. But yes the study of engineering was confined
to few and the scope of engineering was certainly limited. But with the
onset of development fuelled by science and technology and the
growth of service sector Engineering as a career has attracted the
student fraternity of the country in a big way. Number of aspirants
taking the engineering exams are testimony to the fact. A large
number of students take the Engineering Entrance Examination but
few are aware of the various career options that engineering as a
profession offers. Engineers use their skills and knowledge in a specific
field to make things work, solve problems and improve the world
around us. Engineers can be involved in building, testing and designing
all sorts of products and structures. They can be found all over the
world working in many different areas: environmental management,
transport, medicine, broadcasting, electronics and even enabling space
exploration. You name it, engineers have worked on it!

Why Engineering as a stream?

Any act of yours, bringing tangible change in the society, would
undoubtedly bring a sense of satisfaction and feeling of pride. What if,
besides the quotient of satisfaction and feeling of pride you also earn a
handsome amount and reputation in the society? A career in the field

of engineering provides just that. Engineering is amongst the few

professions where creativity and ingenuity knows no bounds. Moreover
if you are the one among those who look for challenging opportunities
than probably, engineering is the most ideal profession to opt for. As an
aerospace engineer you have the chance of developing cryogenics
technology badly needed for the country to make advances in the
space research, as a Civil Engineer you have the opportunity of
developing earth quake resistant houses and as an electrical engineer
the challenge lies in developing superconductors. Your new mobile
phone or your tablet computer? Electronics engineers have had a hand
in making it. What about the make-up or deodorant youre wearing?
Chemical engineers will have tested out the product in a laboratory.
The car you travel in? Automotive engineers have worked in a team to
make it happen. Engineering is central to an exciting range of
businesses and industries, including construction, transport, cosmetics,
medicine, food, fashion and much more. With engineering, you can
follow your interests - if you like sport, you can work as an engineer
improving the performance of new tennis rackets. Engineers work in
offices, laboratories, film studios, in the outdoors and underground.
Engineering today is closely linked with technology, and plays a major
role in many technological advances and new device production. You
might be reading this on your phone, and that will be thanks to
engineers. As an engineer you could be designing colour-matching
technology to determine the best make-up for different skin tones or
working as part of a team to improve the performance of artificial hip
joints. Meanwhile, the perks of a job in the food industry may include
tasting the chocolate prior to production! The list is endless. In a
similar fashion every stream of engineering has lots of such
opportunities and challenges. And if you are the one looking for
opportunities where creativity and imagination are the tools to mitigate
the challenges then you ought to be an Engineer.

Rewards and Opportunities

1. Job Satisfaction Studies show that, by far, the most important cause
of dissatisfaction among the working people is the job dissatisfaction.
Thus, it is important to find a career that provides job satisfaction. After

all, one has to spend good part of his/her life at work station and if the
place you work delivers content and satisfaction you are bound to grow
in a better way with each passing day.

2. Variety of Career Opportunities

Neil Armstrong, Jimmy Carter, and Alfred Hitchcock, an astronaut, a
president, and one a filmmaker from different streams of occupation
all together but a commonality, they all started with an engineering
education. Engineering as a profession offers a wide range of career
possibilities. From the design of fighter planes to that of pacemakers
for hearts from boring holes deep in the earth for the petrochemicals to
steeping at mars, engineers play the pivotal role.

3. Challenging Work
Engineering is all about fixing things so as to make the object serve its
purpose in the best possible and efficient way. From the flying machine
of the Wright brothers to the stealth bombers the range of
improvement and development is enormous. Here lies the challenge.
Challenge is not only about visualizing the development and
improvement but also in performing it.

4. Intellectual Development
Engineering as a profession is function of creativity and ingenuity. Its
more about developing the best possible option. This in turn involves
great utilization of your mental faculties as compared to the
professions where practice and pattern aid a lot in performing the job.

5. Contribute to Society
No one can deny the contribution of society in ones own development
but few bother to contribute for the same. Engineering as a carrier
provides lots of opportunity to this end too. A civil engineer can design
models for easing out traffic congestion. A software engineer can

develop cheap and user friendly software for the disabled, an electrical
engineer can devise ways and means for optimum utilization of
electricity. All in the interest of the society and ones own career.

6. Financial Security
While financial security should not be the only reason for choosing a
career in engineering, if you decide to become an engineer you will be
well paid. Engineering graduates receive one of the highest starting
salaries of any discipline.

7. Prestige
Engineers play an important role in the development of the nation and
add to its international stature in a big way. And in this pursuit, one
also earns a reputed place in the society.

8. Professional Environment
As an engineer, you will work in a professional environment where
creativity and intellect are on the top priority. Working in such an
environment with creative and intellectual colleagues is rewarding in
itself.

Do I have to be good at Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics?

Yes. Engineers do need to be good at maths and sciences, physics in
particular, as it is applied to a number of different engineering issues.
As well as good grades in mathematics and sciences, engineering also
requires hands-on experience; and an understanding of innovation
principles, processes, design and the practical needs of societies. If
you've ever taken something apart to find out it works, enjoyed
building things or have a desire to improve an existing product,
engineering could be for you. The good news is that whatever your
interests are - in or outside of school , there is probably a branch of
engineering that will match. For example, a bio-engineer would work

with living organisms, for example helping to replace body organs, and
would need a good understanding of biology. A chemical engineer, who
works with raw materials to create products like shampoo or perfume,
would need an interest in chemistry. There are plenty of routes into
engineering that focus on your experience of practical problem-solving
more than your education, such as apprenticeships and vocational
schemes.

If only choose science subjects, doesn't that limit my option?

By choosing Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM)
subjects you are more likely to widen your options later in life rather
than narrow them. A wider range of careers will be open to you if you
continue with STEM subjects post 16. If you discount STEM subjects
after 16, it is very difficult to go back to study them if you change your
mind about what you want to do later on. Science and mathematics
are valued and useful for the majority of careers, not limiting.
Qualifications in science, technology, engineering and mathematics
show that you're not afraid of hard work. Employers like that.
Specializations in Engineering
1) Acoustic Engineering
Acoustic or Sound Engineering teaches students how to design sound-proof
buildings and rooms, and develop techniques, and sound-absorbing materials
to reduce noise. Correspondingly, it plays a key role in enhancing the sound
quality for public platforms, such as auditoriums and halls. Acoustic Engineers
work with construction companies involved in building large halls, buildings
and public address systems; theatres and producers of large music systems
or speakers. At a time when the real estate industry is experiencing an
unprecedented boom, this discipline offers great opportunities.

2) Aeronautical / Aerospace / Astronautical Engineering

An Aeronautical engineer is involved in developing various technologies
related to aircrafts, spaceships and missiles. Aeronautics and astronautics are
among the most popular of engineering disciplines. Most students wish to
work with NASA after pursuing this branch of Engineering. One can join a
space research organization or, can become an Astronaut. Some students
may go on to work with airplane or missile manufacturing companies.

Originally called aeronautical engineering and dealing solely with aircraft, the
broader term "aerospace engineering" has replaced the former in most
usage, as flight technology has become more advanced and includes craft
operating outside the Earth's atmosphere. In analogy with "aeronautical
engineering", the branch is sometimes referred to as astronautical
engineering, although this term usually only concerns craft which operate in
outer space.

3) Agriculture Engineering
A student, after getting this degree, can work in designing agricultural
equipment, which may lead to control of soil erosion. Agricultural engineers
work in irrigation and land conservation projects; and efficient processing,
transporting and storing of agricultural products for maximum freshness and
minimum losses; and also to reduce any kind of human effort involved in
these chores.

4) Automobiles engineering
Students of this branch of engineering study about developing various
technologies related to automobiles and other vehicles as well as their design
and production. With the growing automobile industry, this branch of
engineering provides lucrative job opportunities and excellent compensation
for fresh engineering graduates as well as experienced professionals.

5) Biochemical Engineering
Biochemical engineering is a branch of chemical engineering that mainly
deals with the design and construction of unit processes that involve
biological organisms or molecules. Biochemical engineering is often taught as
a supplementary option to chemical engineering due to the similarities in
both the background subject curriculum and problem-solving techniques used
by both professions. Its applications are used in the pharmaceutical,
biotechnology, and water treatment industries

6) Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical engineering (BME) is the application of engineering principles and
techniques to the medical field. It combines the design and problem solving
expertise of engineering with the medical expertise of physicians to help

improve patient health care and the quality of life of healthy individuals. As a
relatively new discipline, much of the work in biomedical engineering consists
of research and development, covering an array of fields: bioinformatics,
medical imaging, image processing, physiological signal processing,
biomechanics, biomaterials and bioengineering, systems analysis, 3-D
modeling, etc. Examples of concrete applications of biomedical engineering
are the development and manufacture of biocompatible prostheses, medical
devices, diagnostic devices and imaging equipment such as MRIs and EEGs,
and pharmaceutical drugs.

7) Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with the
application of physical science (e.g. chemistry and physics), with
mathematics, to the process of converting raw materials or chemicals into
more useful or valuable forms. As well as producing useful materials,
chemical engineering is also concerned with pioneering valuable new
materials and techniques; an important form of research and development. A
person employed in this field is called a chemical engineer. Chemical
engineering largely involves barfing and reproducing. Chemical engineers in
this branch are usually employed under the title of process engineer. The
development of the large-scale processes characteristic of industrialized
economies is a feat of chemical engineering, not chemistry. Indeed, chemical
engineers are responsible for the availability of the modern high-quality
materials that are essential for running an industrial economy.

8) Civil engineering
Civil engineering -- one of the oldest branches of engineering and the first to
develop scientific principles -- deals mainly with construction. Their
applications can be found in construction of buildings, bridges, roads,
highways, flyovers and all kinds of structures for airports, railways and many
other constructions. The real estate, infrastructure, and construction industry
is growing at a very fast pace in India. These industries serve as excellent
career options for civil engineers and architects. The salaries of civil
engineers and architects have been growing exponentially in the last few
years.

9) Computers engineering/ Software engineering/ Information Technology

In Computer Science and Software Engineering branches, both the hardware

and software of computers is taught. This branch of engineering deals with all
aspects of Information technology, like applications of artificial intelligence,
robotics and computations used in modern industrial scenario. Software
involves learning programming languages and operating systems, which may
be used to develop application programs for man-machine interface.

Computer engineering (also called electronic and computer engineering) is a

discipline that combines elements of both electrical engineering and
computer science. Computer engineers are electrical engineers that have
additional training in the areas of software design and hardware-software
integration. In turn, they focus less on power electronics and physics.
Computer engineers are involved in many aspects of computing, from the
design of individual microprocessors, personal computers, and
supercomputers, to circuit design. This engineering discipline is especially
useful for integrating embedded systems into devices and machines (for
example, several embedded computer systems are used to control and
monitor the many subsystems in motor vehicles). Usual tasks involving
computer engineers include writing software and firmware for embedded
microcontrollers, designing VLSI chips, designing analog sensors, designing
mixed signal circuit boards, and designing operating systems. Computer
engineers are also suited for robotics research, which relies heavily on using
digital systems to control and monitor electrical systems like motors,
communications, and sensors.

Information technology (IT) is the study, design, development,

implementation, support or management of computer-based information
systems, particularly software applications and computer hardware. In short,
IT deals with the use of electronic computers and computer software to
convert, store, protect, process, transmit and retrieve information.

Software engineering is the application of a systematic, disciplined,

quantifiable approach to the development, operation, and maintenance of
software. The discipline of software engineering encompasses knowledge,
tools, and methods for defining software requirements, and performing
software design, software construction, software testing, and software
maintenance tasks. Software engineering also draws on knowledge from
fields such as computer engineering, computer science, management,
mathematics, project management, quality management, software
ergonomics, and systems engineering.

10) Electronics engineering/ Electronics and Tele-Communication

Electronics engineering essentially deals with the production of all kinds of
electronic equipment, computers, medical and scientific electronic
instruments and consumer durables. An electronics and communications
engineer specializes in telecommunication equipment and processes. There is
a high demand for electronics and communications engineers so as to meet
the growing requirements of the telecom software development industry,
telecom equipment manufacturers and service providers. New research and
development in the wireless telecom standards has led to the creation of new
opportunities for high-end research and development work.

11) Electrical engineering

Electrical engineering is involved in developing, producing and testing of
electrical and electronic machines, such as generators and motors. They also
deal with power production and distribution systems. In India, telecom
software industry has been hiring electrical engineers in great numbers.

12) Environment engineering

This branch of engineering deals with prevention and control of toxic pollution
like air, water, soil and noise. They also build environment friendly industrial
processes. Environment engineers are trained in technologies related to
public health, public works, waste management, and environmental
protection and remediation.

13) Geomatic Engineering

It is a rapidly developing discipline that focuses on spatial information. The
location is the primary factor used to integrate a very wide range of data for
viewing and analysis. Geomatics engineers apply engineering principles to
spatial information and implement relational data structures involving
measurement sciences, thus using geomatics and acting as spatial
information engineers. Geomatics engineers manage local, regional, national
and global spatial data infrastructures. Geomatics Engineering also involves
aspects of Computer Engineering and Civil Engineering.

14) Mechatonic Engineering

Mechatronics is the synergistic combination of mechanical engineering
("mecha" for mechanisms, i.e., machines that 'move'), electronic engineering
("tronics" for electronics), and software engineering. The purpose of this
interdisciplinary engineering field is the study of automata from an
engineering perspective and serves the purposes of controlling advanced
hybrid systems.

15) Instrumentation engineering

Instrumentation Engineering is concerned with measurement and control of
processes in industry. For example, an instrumentation engineer may be
involved with production or design or maintenance of flow measuring
equipment.

16) Mechanical engineering

A mechanical engineer studies about production transmission and the use of
mechanical power and designing, operating and testing of various types of
machines. Mechanical engineering finds applications in all fields of
technology. These engineers are required in various industries, such as
automobile, chemical, electronics, steel plants, oil exploration and refining,
technical wings of armed forces, and space research organization.

17) Nuclear engineering

Nuclear Engineering, as a field of study revolves around the technological
application of nuclear energy for the production of energy and related
equipment.

18) Systems engineering

Systems engineering is geared towards the design and development of large
and complex systems, such as the intercontinental ballistic missiles system. It
uses results of systems theories and shares techniques with operations
research and is akin to software engineering, which also tackles designing
complex systems.

19) Polymer engineering

This branch of engineering is concerned with production of Polymers, their
processes and applications.

20) Petroleum engineering

This branch of engineering deals in the production, storage and
transportation of petroleum and natural gas.

21) Industrial/ Production engineering

Both Industrial and Production Engineering apply engineering analysis and
techniques to the production of goods and techniques, more particularly,
mathematical models to simulate flow of work through the organization and
to evaluate the effects of any proposed changes.

22) Metallurgical engineering

Metallurgical engineering is concerned with the study of structure, properties,
production and use of various materials metallic and non-metallic. It deals
with refining ores to a pure state (extractive metallurgy) and converting
refined materials into useful finished products (physical metallurgy)

23) Marine engineering/ Naval architecture

Marine Engineering is related to the production and maintenance of marine
machinery and equipment which are used in commercial ships and naval
bases. Naval Architecture deals with the design and construction of ships as
well as other vehicles.

24) Mining engineering

Mining Engineering as a field of study, is the integrated application of
multiple scientific and engineering disciplines related to the extraction of
natural materials from the earths crust.

25) Ocean engineering

Ocean Engineering deals with the design and installation of all kinds of
equipment used in large water bodies.

26) Textile engineering

Textile Engineering is concerned with machinery and processes used to
produce both natural and synthetic fibers and textiles.