6 answers
Donny
Student
Grundy Center, Iowa
3
Questions
Asked
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Where should I look to start my career as an engineer?
I want to become an engineer but I'm not sure where I should look for job availability. #engineering
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6 answers
John Oller
Engineer, Project Manager, Quality Manager
160
Answers
Rockford, Illinois
Updated
John’s Answer
Review www.indeed.com, www.linkedin.com, contact your local chamber of commerce to find companies in the region, contact employment/recruiting companies who will help you find a job that fits your skill set. Ask your teachers or the person than runs any internship programs. Many choices out there.
Thank you very much, nice to hear that there are lots of options out there.
Donny
Jessica Bradley Sant
Software Engineering Leadership
1
Answer
Maple Shade Township, New Jersey
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
There are so many great avenues in the world of engineering - what other topics are you interested in? That may help you focus on a particular engineering branch and thus where to look further. Here's a few of the different types of engineering to think about:
Software engineering (building software, video games, etc)
Electrical engineering (building robots, microwaves and televisions)
Mechanical engineering (building cars, planes and vacuums)
Biomedical engineering (building surgical equipment, artificial limbs and medical testing devices)
Chemical engineering (manufacturing vaccines and other medicines at scale)
Civil engineering (building bridges, buildings, even things like sustainable packaging)
That's just a few of the big ones to get you thinking.
Software engineering (building software, video games, etc)
Electrical engineering (building robots, microwaves and televisions)
Mechanical engineering (building cars, planes and vacuums)
Biomedical engineering (building surgical equipment, artificial limbs and medical testing devices)
Chemical engineering (manufacturing vaccines and other medicines at scale)
Civil engineering (building bridges, buildings, even things like sustainable packaging)
That's just a few of the big ones to get you thinking.
I was thinking of doing mechanical engineering, as I love making different designs on CAD software. I love challenging myself to make new things and improving my skills. My next choice of interest would be electrical engineering. I am very obsessed with how things work and how they are made, and I would love to have a position where I could learn and even design new things. Thank you for the advice!
Donny
Eduardo Arfelli
Demand Planning
4
Answers
Miami, Florida
Updated
Eduardo’s Answer
Hi Donny,
In terms of median pay and growth potential, these are the 10 highest paying engineering jobs to consider.
Big Data Engineer
Petroleum Engineer
Computer Hardware Engineer
Aerospace Engineer
Nuclear Engineer
Systems Engineer
Chemical Engineer.
Electrical Engineer
In terms of median pay and growth potential, these are the 10 highest paying engineering jobs to consider.
Big Data Engineer
Petroleum Engineer
Computer Hardware Engineer
Aerospace Engineer
Nuclear Engineer
Systems Engineer
Chemical Engineer.
Electrical Engineer
Jon Szyszko
Engineering
3
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Jon’s Answer
Hi Donny,
First, figure out what type of Engineer you want to be. There are a lot of great resources online, such as YouTube, that explain the differences between mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, civil engineering etc. .
In terms of job availability, engineering has always been in demand and won't be going away any time soon. To be able to pursue these jobs follow these steps:
1. Get a degree at a university or college
2. Build your resume by pursuing internships, co-ops, research, and academic club/project opportunities
3. Apply anywhere and everywhere online through LinkedIn, Indeed.com, and on company websites that interest you. Another great way, is through career fairs, which most schools hold at least once or twice a year.
Best of luck!
First, figure out what type of Engineer you want to be. There are a lot of great resources online, such as YouTube, that explain the differences between mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, civil engineering etc. .
In terms of job availability, engineering has always been in demand and won't be going away any time soon. To be able to pursue these jobs follow these steps:
1. Get a degree at a university or college
2. Build your resume by pursuing internships, co-ops, research, and academic club/project opportunities
3. Apply anywhere and everywhere online through LinkedIn, Indeed.com, and on company websites that interest you. Another great way, is through career fairs, which most schools hold at least once or twice a year.
Best of luck!
Mary Nydam
Environmental Engineer
2
Answers
Farmington Hills, Michigan
Updated
Mary’s Answer
Hi Donny,
One of the best things I did early on in college was to attend a career fair held at my university, specifically for the College of Engineering. It was eye opening to see the vast array of job markets and sectors out there (local and non-local) that needed engineers. At the time I wasn't too sure about any industry in particular, I just knew I wanted to be an engineer! It really showed me how broad of a scope engineers are needed. You'll find you gravitate to what interests you and reach out to those companies that are looking for internships and fulltime positions in your field of interest. I got a lot out of just talking with the companies to learn about their open positions and what the specific job descriptions were. It helped me focus on what type of environmental engineer I wanted to be.
As soon as you can, pursue an internship or co/op. That real world experience will be invaluable and will look great on a resume. Try to participate in clubs/societies/groups at your school. They are also a great resource for career opportunities.
Best of luck to you!
One of the best things I did early on in college was to attend a career fair held at my university, specifically for the College of Engineering. It was eye opening to see the vast array of job markets and sectors out there (local and non-local) that needed engineers. At the time I wasn't too sure about any industry in particular, I just knew I wanted to be an engineer! It really showed me how broad of a scope engineers are needed. You'll find you gravitate to what interests you and reach out to those companies that are looking for internships and fulltime positions in your field of interest. I got a lot out of just talking with the companies to learn about their open positions and what the specific job descriptions were. It helped me focus on what type of environmental engineer I wanted to be.
As soon as you can, pursue an internship or co/op. That real world experience will be invaluable and will look great on a resume. Try to participate in clubs/societies/groups at your school. They are also a great resource for career opportunities.
Best of luck to you!
Marc A. Adams
Manager, IoT Partnerships
4
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Marc A.’s Answer
Hey Donny, great question.
It's important to know what you like (as a first step). When I was about six years old I saw the very first Star Wars movie (episode IV) and the best part about that experience was asking my dad how they made the movie (with light sabers and ships flying in space -- making jumps to 'light speed', etc.). This was how I decided then, that I wanted to be a film director. The next best thing to that was when I got to go to a real studio to actually see how the process was done. I would suggest that you explore the various types of engineering, to dig a little further into what about engineering is of interest to you -- so here's an idea:
Engineering Open House (EOH) is an annual event organized entirely by engineering students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It is held each spring semester, and draws estimated crowds of 20,000 people including, students, teachers, parents and families, from all over Illinois (and beyond -- I realize that you are in Iowa). This event covers a multitude of different concentrations (i.e., majors of study) in Engineering with actual demos and short informational sessions to help visitors (and aspiring engineers) to have an experience for what engineering is all about.
So sometimes, Donny, it can be a benefit to not only identify your interests, but also to have the experience and allow your other senses (touch, see, hear, etc.) to get involved. Hoping that helps Donny and good luck to you.
Check the University of Illinois-Urbans website for their next Engineering Open House event.
Check with your local/state college/university for engineering-based programs, camps or open houses (even virtual ones) that are coming up to attend.
It's important to know what you like (as a first step). When I was about six years old I saw the very first Star Wars movie (episode IV) and the best part about that experience was asking my dad how they made the movie (with light sabers and ships flying in space -- making jumps to 'light speed', etc.). This was how I decided then, that I wanted to be a film director. The next best thing to that was when I got to go to a real studio to actually see how the process was done. I would suggest that you explore the various types of engineering, to dig a little further into what about engineering is of interest to you -- so here's an idea:
Engineering Open House (EOH) is an annual event organized entirely by engineering students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It is held each spring semester, and draws estimated crowds of 20,000 people including, students, teachers, parents and families, from all over Illinois (and beyond -- I realize that you are in Iowa). This event covers a multitude of different concentrations (i.e., majors of study) in Engineering with actual demos and short informational sessions to help visitors (and aspiring engineers) to have an experience for what engineering is all about.
So sometimes, Donny, it can be a benefit to not only identify your interests, but also to have the experience and allow your other senses (touch, see, hear, etc.) to get involved. Hoping that helps Donny and good luck to you.
Marc A. recommends the following next steps:
Thank you, I have gotten a few emails about the tech summit for Iowa, but I wasn't sure about what it would be like. Thanks for telling me about what it can be like.
Donny