4 answers
Yash
Student
Hilliard, Ohio
1
Question
Updated
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How do I narrow down potential engineering fields?
Currently, I am stuck between chemical, mechanical, and aerospace engineering. All of these really interest me, but I cannot choose. Thank you!?
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4 answers
Mike S.
Technical Writer
22
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Mike’s Answer
Hello Yash,
When you are just starting out, it is hard to choose from many interesting careers.
Are you currently in High School? Also, are you pretty good at math (Algebra and Geometry)?
Chemical, Mechanical, and Aerospace engineering are all wonderful areas to work in.
My advice is to make your best choice about what you want to do, and start to focus on that.
As you work on your chosen career, you might change your mind along the way. You might decide you want to switch to something different. If this happens, that is OK.
I changed my major in my second year of college, and it worked out well for me.
Below, I have a link to the CareerOneStop career exploration page. Some people find that this website helps them in choosing a career.
Every career requires hard work. But it is not hard work if you can find something that you love to do.
I hope that you will do well in the path that you choose, and I wish you Good Luck in all that you do.
Mike
Here is the CareerOneStop exploration website: https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/explore-careers.aspx
When you are just starting out, it is hard to choose from many interesting careers.
Are you currently in High School? Also, are you pretty good at math (Algebra and Geometry)?
Chemical, Mechanical, and Aerospace engineering are all wonderful areas to work in.
My advice is to make your best choice about what you want to do, and start to focus on that.
As you work on your chosen career, you might change your mind along the way. You might decide you want to switch to something different. If this happens, that is OK.
I changed my major in my second year of college, and it worked out well for me.
Below, I have a link to the CareerOneStop career exploration page. Some people find that this website helps them in choosing a career.
Every career requires hard work. But it is not hard work if you can find something that you love to do.
I hope that you will do well in the path that you choose, and I wish you Good Luck in all that you do.
Mike
Mike recommends the following next steps:
William Vvuko
Retired engineer
150
Answers
Moyo, Northern Region
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi Yash,
You are truly at crossroads. It's quite a nice problem to have.
Obtaining a qualification is the starting point of your career. What you are able to do with the qualification at the level of practice is most important. A brief look at the opportunities available for the different engineering disciplines that are of interest to you can help clarify your choices.
Mechanical engineering provides a very wide range of opportunities in the following areas:
a) Manufacturing sectors - food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, oil & gas, textiles, equipment/industrial machinery manufacture (including earthmoving equipment), automotive, aerospace etc. Roles include design, production, utilities & maintenance engineers.
b) Utilities sector especially water supply, electricity supply, effluent treatment etc.
c) Mining sectors - across the board.
Research & development and consultancies provide opportunities for mechanical engineers to work as consultants.
Aerospace engineering is a highly specialized field of study that can be quite exciting especially with regard to such fields as astronomy.
Chemical engineering offers opportunities in such areas as food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, oil & gas, textiles, chemical industries - cosmetics, cleaning chemicals etc.
Choices are generally influenced by interests, natural gifts, role models, fascinations with what surrounds us etc. It's important to love and enjoy what you do.
Our desire to address human needs remains the overriding factor.
I hope this makes your choices a little easier.
You are truly at crossroads. It's quite a nice problem to have.
Obtaining a qualification is the starting point of your career. What you are able to do with the qualification at the level of practice is most important. A brief look at the opportunities available for the different engineering disciplines that are of interest to you can help clarify your choices.
Mechanical engineering provides a very wide range of opportunities in the following areas:
a) Manufacturing sectors - food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, oil & gas, textiles, equipment/industrial machinery manufacture (including earthmoving equipment), automotive, aerospace etc. Roles include design, production, utilities & maintenance engineers.
b) Utilities sector especially water supply, electricity supply, effluent treatment etc.
c) Mining sectors - across the board.
Research & development and consultancies provide opportunities for mechanical engineers to work as consultants.
Aerospace engineering is a highly specialized field of study that can be quite exciting especially with regard to such fields as astronomy.
Chemical engineering offers opportunities in such areas as food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, oil & gas, textiles, chemical industries - cosmetics, cleaning chemicals etc.
Choices are generally influenced by interests, natural gifts, role models, fascinations with what surrounds us etc. It's important to love and enjoy what you do.
Our desire to address human needs remains the overriding factor.
I hope this makes your choices a little easier.
Mark Blackwell
Risk Based Process Safety Engineering, Functional Safety for the Process Industry Sector.
2
Answers
Columbus, Indiana
Updated
Mark’s Answer
Mike and Teklemuz have provided great insights.
I suggest:
- Reading the book "What Color is Your Parachute?"
- Combining your passion with a plan for success. Aim to earn your degree and use it to reach your career goals. Think about whether your chosen field might require you to move and if you're okay with that.
- Remember that your passion will take up a big part of your life, so it's wise to choose something you love.
I'm close to finishing my career, and I've worked as an engineer in multiple areas. Some people stick to one engineering field, but others, like me, work in integration, which means understanding several engineering fields.
I suggest:
- Reading the book "What Color is Your Parachute?"
- Combining your passion with a plan for success. Aim to earn your degree and use it to reach your career goals. Think about whether your chosen field might require you to move and if you're okay with that.
- Remember that your passion will take up a big part of your life, so it's wise to choose something you love.
I'm close to finishing my career, and I've worked as an engineer in multiple areas. Some people stick to one engineering field, but others, like me, work in integration, which means understanding several engineering fields.
Teklemuz Ayenew Tesfay
Electrical Engineer, Software Developer, and Career Mentor
517
Answers
Ethiopia
Updated
Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer
To narrow down potential engineering fields, start by identifying your passion, strengths, potential, career goals, and the job market you want to enter. Think about what excites you, what skills come naturally, and what kind of work you see yourself enjoying in the long term. Next, consider which field aligns most with your interests and abilities, and be brave in making a choice.
If you are fascinated by transforming raw materials into useful products, working with chemical reactions and processes, and solving problems in industries like energy, pharmaceuticals, or manufacturing, chemical engineering is a good fit. If you enjoy machines, mechanical systems, engines, and physical devices, and like designing, analyzing, and working with CAD or AutoCAD to create solutions, mechanical engineering is ideal. If you love math, physics, problem-solving, and are drawn to electricity, electronics, or building electrical and communication systems, electrical engineering is the right choice. This field also offers broad opportunities worldwide, allowing you to work almost anywhere.
By reflecting on your natural curiosity, skills, and career goals, and matching them with the nature of each field, you can make a confident decision that guides your growth and opens up opportunities in the engineering world.
If you are fascinated by transforming raw materials into useful products, working with chemical reactions and processes, and solving problems in industries like energy, pharmaceuticals, or manufacturing, chemical engineering is a good fit. If you enjoy machines, mechanical systems, engines, and physical devices, and like designing, analyzing, and working with CAD or AutoCAD to create solutions, mechanical engineering is ideal. If you love math, physics, problem-solving, and are drawn to electricity, electronics, or building electrical and communication systems, electrical engineering is the right choice. This field also offers broad opportunities worldwide, allowing you to work almost anywhere.
By reflecting on your natural curiosity, skills, and career goals, and matching them with the nature of each field, you can make a confident decision that guides your growth and opens up opportunities in the engineering world.