Engineering is a broad field encompassing numerous areas, requiring diverse study paths and apprenticeships. For example, achieving chartered engineer status typically requires reaching a professional standard, which includes obtaining a master’s degree and demonstrating qualifications to the engineering council.
Types of Skills Required
The types of skills needed in this field may include providing solutions to complex engineering problems, using new or existing systems. Chartered engineers may be responsible for setting up and resolving issues around major projects. Maritime careers, particularly in marine engineering, provide opportunities in operating marine vessels, structures and offshore platforms. The position primarily involves designing, constructing, installing, maintaining, and operating mechanical systems, including propulsion, power generation, fuel systems and navigation equipment. Other areas of engineering include those requiring an engineering degree which encompasses chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, mechanical and software engineering, as a varied selection.
Alternative Areas of Engineering
The field of engineering includes several appealing sub-divisions, such as building and construction, cyber security, information technology, manufacturing, nuclear engineering, and transport. All these allow specialisation and diversification depending on the area that interests you, the qualification or experience achieved or where the opportunities are the most abundant.
Industry Qualifications
To get to the desirable position it is highly likely that you will need a qualification, such as a master’s degree particularly if you want CEng status. Alternatively, it is possible to utilize other pathways including an accredited Bachelor’s degree in engineering or technology, an Engineering Doctorate or an accredited integrated master’s degree. Information regarding these openings is available at colleges and universities. Engineering degrees will more often than not require a sandwich year or year in industry. This will without doubt provide more experience in the field you have chosen and identify whether the area selected appeals after spending some time hands on. If your programme does not include this option, try opting for an internship in the summer or alternatively, a work placement in the industry could also be useful. Information about these opportunities can be obtained by consulting university lecturers or directly contacting engineering firms.
Post Graduate
After graduating the openings are varied, including going directly to work for an engineering firm where it is plausible that you can continue your studies by pursuing further professional qualifications. Vacancies are often advertised in certain publications, including the New Scientist and The Engineer. Openings are also available online where recruitment is a burgeoning industry itself.
Continuing Professional Development
Joining a professional body offers access to discussion forums, networking opportunities, the latest industry news, and training events. All of these can help with the development, direction and specialisation of the new graduate. A report by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), revealed that 124,000 skilled engineers and technicians are needed annually across the UK engineering industry to keep up with demand. However, current projections show that there is a shortfall of 37,000 to 59,000 workers. A career in engineering appears to offer a promising and rewarding path.
