If you’re wondering how to become an engineer, this blog post is for you. Whether you are just starting out in high school or have already graduated, there are some helpful tips that will make your journey a little easier and quicker. In the article below we’ll talk about what it takes to be an engineer, common misconceptions people have of engineering careers, and what the job market looks like for engineers today.
Understand the type of engineering you want to pursue
The first step to entering the engineering field is understanding what type of engineer you want to pursue. There are many different types of engineering fields where a person can go into and each focuses on designing and problem-solving in a specific way.
Some examples include civil engineers who focus on building structures, chemical engineers who design new materials for use in manufacturing, and mechanical engineers who design new devices. When you decide which type of engineer you want to be, it’s much easier to get the education and training necessary for that field.
There are also many misconceptions people have about what an engineer does on a day-to-day basis. Many think engineers sit behind desks all day working in front of computers doing math problems – but this isn’t true at all! Engineers spend their time designing solutions and products by using scientific principles like physics and chemistry. In addition, they work with other engineering teams when designing structures or new devices which requires interaction with others and leadership skills.
A final misconception is that engineering careers lack opportunities as well as jobs right now (and future prospects). However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be over one million job openings for engineer positions in the United States by 2024.
Get your hands on some textbooks and read up on the subject
Entry-level engineer positions require a bachelor’s degree in engineering and most employers will ask for proof of this. If you’re considering an engineering career, it can be helpful to get your hands on some textbooks on the subject so you have a better idea of what topics are covered as well as the different types of jobs that engineers do. When choosing a book to read, it’s best if the engineer career path you’re considering is covered in depth.
If you want to become an engineer, it is important to be committed to your career path early on because it can be difficult or impossible to change careers once you’ve started working full time. It’s also good advice not only to study hard but also maintain a social life outside the classroom so when school finally gets tough there will always be something else besides engineering classes waiting for you at the end of each week.
Take a look at what classes you need to take in order to get into an engineering school
Many engineering programs require a student to have taken math courses, physics, chemistry, and other STEM-related classes before they are accepted.
So if you’re looking at an engineer career path in high school or after graduation make sure to take those required classes first! Once you’ve had the opportunity to explore your interests it will be much easier to know which type of engineer profession is right for you.
Start looking for scholarships or grants that can help finance your education
Nearly 90% of engineering students who are entering the workforce today have bachelor’s degrees. If you are a woman, you should check scholarships for women in engineering as the majority of engineer jobs require a four-year degree, so if you’re thinking about pursuing an engineering career it is important to start looking for scholarships or grants that can help finance your education right away!
Some options include applying for financial aid through programs like FAFSA (Free Application For Federal Student Aid) and taking advantage of government loans/grants as well as scholarships for college students offered by private organizations such as corporations or foundations.
It is also good advice to do some research on which schools offer what types of engineer majors before deciding on attending one school over another – this way you’ll know ahead whether there will be a major available for you.
Talk with someone who is already working as an engineer
If you’re really serious about becoming an engineer, one of the best things you can do is talk to someone who already works as an engineer!
They will be able to give you advice and feedback from their perspective which can help guide your career path. It’s also a good idea for them to explain what engineers in general actually do on a day-to-day basis. Most jobs are varied and require leadership skills – so if this sounds like something that might interest you, then engineering may be worth looking into further.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an approximately 20% increase in engineer positions by 2024 due to retirements/downsizing.
Consider taking part-time jobs
It is also a good idea to look into part-time jobs while in high school and save money for college tuition expenses. There are plenty of options out there, you just need to take the time to find them! For example, one engineer we talked with does deliveries on his bike as well as working at local restaurants during their busy times (e.g., weekends).
This can be considered another form of work experience that will help prepare you for future engineer positions – so it’s worth looking into if this sounds like something you might want to do too!
If engineering isn’t your only interest, then consider taking up business courses or an additional major such as computer science instead because those fields have been forecasted to have the most growth in engineer jobs.
These types of jobs can boost your work ethic, teach you how to work with others, and give you a strong support network.
If you’re interested in becoming an engineer, the first step is to understand what type of engineering career path interests you. Is it civil engineering? Chemical engineering? Mechanical engineering? Once you have a better idea of which field appeals to your skills and passions, then start reading up on that subject matter. Next, take a look at what classes or majors will help prepare for your desired profession so that when the time comes you know exactly how to enroll in school and get started with higher education. Finally, talk with someone from this industry who can give first-hand insight into their day-to-day activities as well as offer advice about any scholarships they may be able to apply for given their degree level.
Photo by ThisisEngineering RAEng on Unsplash
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