What is the best Engineering field to go into?

Randal:

I, personally, have had a very fulfilling career in Civil Engineering. Much of the work in this engineering field involves designing new or upgraded infrastructure to support towns, cities and entire regions. These projects can range in size from a small water system to a major airport expansion to a light rail system serving an entire city, and much more. What all these projects have in common is that they greatly contribute to the welfare, safety and advancement of our Society. Civil Engineers contribute directly to the wellbeing our communities and our Country in a way few other professions can. In addition there is a great demand for civil engineers with career paths available in local, state and federal government and in private consulting firms, or even private practice. A great career with a high degree of job security...what more could you ask?

Good Luck, Pete Sturtevant

There is no best engineering. Michael's words above are very true - e.g. EE will have a lot heavier math. Chem or Biochem E is an option if you like chemistry. Mechanical engineering is still very relevant.

Depending on where you go, you can probably take some intro course than looks at a bunch of disciplines. Also the first couple years of courses at any engineering uni are going to have massive overlap (calc, linear algebra, diff eq, physics, chemistry, etc), that you'll have time to figure it out.

Software engineering is... imo not really engineering yet. It may get there, but for now it's so much less rigorous than other forms of engineering. (Not to say you can't consider software E, because it can be very interesting, just it's not "really" engineering (yet)). It also probably pays more than anything except perhaps petroleum engineering and electrical engineering too, so there is that :P

Hii randal,
It is not easy - you have to talk to engineers and see them at work. To do this, as a high school student, it must be arranged, via some career day or something similar, or you have to tap into your network of acquaintances.

Most people choose their branch based on their options at the university they can get to, the engineering tradition in their area, the reputation each branch has locally and their perception of the branch's career prospects (what in India they call "scope"). In other words, they do not factor in a lot their own personal preferences and competencies. But they are risking getting disillusioned once locked in a specific branch.

Other kids simply project their most relevant school courses and rank their choices to correspond to what they are best at (f.e. they choose chemical if they liked chemistry in school). At this point it is convenient to narrow down your possible paths to just four - civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical and only worry about specifics later (f.e. consider industrial, aeronautical, naval, manufacturing engineering only once you have chosen mechanical).

Civil ! Ok I am bias to civil engineering. If you like to see what you are creating in real life and like the idea that you can watch it be built then civil is the way to go. Once built....then you may find yourself driving on that highway you designed, stopping at the new commercial development or possibly living in the redevelopment that you helped design. Other disciplines such as electrical engineering is much more theory driven, if you love complex math then this could be the way to go. Not to say if you were in structural engineering, you get to use your math skills a lot there too.

Try to get a summer internship with a construction company, municipality or consultant in civil engineer. By the end of the summer you will know if you if it is meant for you.

Good luck!

Mike

It depends on what you enjoy doing and what your priorities are. Is it money? then Chemical, Computer, or Aerospace Engineering. Are you interested in construction, then Civil or Structural Engineering.

My advise is to do what you like to do. Money is nice, but generally doesn't make you happy.

The best thing about the engineering field is that multiple degrees can satisfy all of those “hungers”. Nearly every engineering degree is challenging, and there are so many different types of engineering degrees that you can be nearly certain to find a field that leads to your career satisfaction.

Civil ! Ok I am bias to civil engineering. If you like to see what you are creating in real life and like the idea that you can watch it be built then civil is the way to go. Once built....then you may find yourself driving on that highway you designed, stopping at the new commercial development or possibly living in the redevelopment that you helped design. Other disciplines such as electrical engineering is much more theory driven, if you love complex math then this could be the way to go. Not to say if you were in structural engineering, you get to use your math skills a lot there too.

Try to get a summer internship with a construction company, municipality or consultant in civil engineer. By the end of the summer you will know if you if it is meant for you.

Computer Science Engineering

To start with Engineering, Best field in current IT need is Computer science
Computer science Gives you required foundation to start up career with IT needs
other Fields of Engineering are also challenging but IT field demand more of computer engineers

Hi Randal, define "best". If you mean "the one that pays the most" then I think it's Chemical Engineering.
In the end, I recommend you study whatever interests you, and all Engineering field are equally important to society.
If you are not sure, take introductory classes to each field and decide for yourself if you like it or not. Good luck!

Engineers and other technical professionals weren't always seen as having the nation's coolest jobs. Many other professions have claimed that distinction over the past few decades, including investment bankers, airline pilots and surgeons. But those days have passed. Perhaps Steve Jobs and his legacy can take credit, but working in engineering, computer science and many other traditionally "nerdy" careers is the new rave.

"We're enjoying a true technology revolution, and techies who can lead that effort by creating and managing great software can write their own tickets," says Tony Lee, publisher of CareerCast.com. “Software engineers are the rock stars of today's working world, and even computer systems analysts and web developers can claim some of that recognition, since the demand for IT pros is so deep.”

In fact, Software Engineers have the nation's overall best job, according to the CareerCast.com Jobs Rated report. Their pay is great, hiring demand for their skills is through the roof, and working conditions have never been better.

"The problem is that we are not producing enough computer science graduates to meet the growing global demand," says Michael Buryk, Business Development Manager at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). "Even electrical engineers, especially those who work as power engineers, are in short supply, especially given the growth in the fields of alternative energy and Smart Grid."

Petroleum engineering is another field with tremendous career opportunities, as the world's energy needs and new oil and gas exploration require the skill set that only an engineer can deliver. And that demand spans the globe, from central Pennsylvania to Saudi Arabia to Malaysia.

Best Jobs in engineering and information technology:
Civil Engineer.
Computer Programmer.
Technical Writer.
Nuclear Engineer.
Aerospace Engineer.
Mechanical Engineer.
Electrical Engineer.
Industrial Designer.

Defining the best engineering degree is obviously subjective and will more often than not come down to where a student’s natural interests lie. Some look for an easy degree (no engineering degree is easy). Some look at the engineering degree with the best outlook for the future – we have detailed our outlook below. Some look at what fulfills them the most, what pays the most, or what challenges them the most.
best engineering degree
The best thing about the engineering field is that multiple degrees can satisfy all of those “hungers”. Nearly every engineering degree is challenging, and there are so many different types of engineering degrees that you can be nearly certain to find a field that leads to your career satisfaction.

This might be in construction, in which case a Civil Engineering degree and career may well be the best engineering degree for you.

Likewise if you feel a close affinity with environmental issues then a degree in Environmental Engineering may be the most suitable engineering degree for you. There is also the question of salary which obviously plays an important role in job satisfaction.

With this in mind we have listed below some of our “top picks” based on specific topics such as employment prospects, potential salary and most importantly the engineering degrees which offer the most potential for the future as this is a primary consideration for anyone weighing up their career options.

Hello Randal ,
Engineering is an excellent choice as a career, there are lots of categories that you can opt for.
But it basically comes down to what you are interested in and what you would like to see yourself doing in the future
Overall Software Engineers have the nation's overall best job in the current industry, so you can go for program oriented engineering like computer engineering, IT etc
Electronics engineering opens a whole new world with computers , phone and other electronics filed
Petroleum engineering is another field with tremendous career opportunities, as the world's energy needs and new oil and gas exploration require the skill set that only an engineer can deliver. And that demand spans the globe, from central Pennsylvania to Saudi Arabia to Malaysia.
Even electrical engineers, especially those who work as power engineers, are in short supply, especially given the growth in the fields of alternative energy and Smart Grid."
But in the end, I say learn what you would love to learn.

Of all engineering fields, software engineers have the most favorable hiring outlook. The need for their expertise will only increase as technology development continues to accelerate. They hold the highest determined entry-level salary at $68,000 per year, leading to a mean annual salary of $104,480. The top 10% earn $150,760, making them some of the highest paid workers in all fields of engineering, according to earnings statistics reported by Michigan Technological University's College of Engineering.

Despite these figures, employers claim there are simply not enough workers to feed the rising global demand. Hardware capabilities are always increasing, granting extra potential to solve society's medical, scientific, and industrial problems. However, to take advantage of these opportunities, software engineers must be available to research, design, develop, and maintain relevant software to be put into use.