Engineers: Inspiring wonder

Imagine having both the passion to make a difference in the world and the technical know-how to achieve it — that’s what engineering is all about.

Engineers are at the center of innovation, from increasing a person’s life expectancy and quality of life to creating and improving the communication systems that keep us all connected.

Engineers’ work drives our economy, and many experts predict that America needs to produce more engineers in order to stay competitive in the global marketplace and meet future demand.

Engineering is a versatile degree. More than half of the people who have an engineering degree work in other areas, such as medicine, law, investment banking and consulting, prompting many experts to call engineering the “new liberal-arts degree.”

Each year, Engineers Week serves as a catalyst that sparks organizations and volunteers to make a difference by engaging students in engineering and celebrating the profession. During the week of February 17-23, everyone is encouraged to dream — and to dream big.

Average salary

The average engineer’s annual salary in 2015 ranged from $88,000 to $115,000, depending on the discipline of engineering. Entry level engineers — those who have just graduated from college — averaged between $56,000 and $69,000 annually. And it doesn’t stop there. Over the course of a lifetime, engineering majors will earn $1.4 million more than a liberal-arts major.

Of course, average income for engineers varies, depending on discipline, qualifications, experience and location. Check out these career options and learn about the various engineering disciplines.

Hiring trends

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of engineering is expected to grow as much as 10 percent in the coming decade. In recent years, the prospects for college graduates have been fair at best, but engineering graduates experience a much more favorable job market. Why? Experts say demand for engineers will continue to grow as governments and industry work to meet the challenges of a growing global population and dwindling resources.

Career opportunities in the engineering field are seemingly endless.The following is only a small sampling of the different disciplines within engineering.

Aerospace engineers

Aerospace engineers design primarily aircraft, spacecraft, satellites and missiles. In addition they create and test prototypes to make sure that they function according to design.

Agricultural engineers

Agricultural engineers attempt to solve agricultural problems concerning power supplies the efficiency of machinery, the use of structures and facilities pollution and environmental issues, and the storage and processing of agricultural products.

Chemical engineers

Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry biology, physics and math to solve problems that involve the production or use of chemicals, fuel, drugs, food and many other products. They design processes and equipment for large-scale manufacturing, plan

and test production methods and byproducts treatment, and direct facility operations.

Civil engineers

Civil engineers conceive, design, build, supervise, operate, construct and maintain infrastructure projects and systems in the public and private sector, including roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges and systems for water supply and sewage treatment.

Electrical engineers

Electrical engineers design, develop, test and supervise the manufacturing of electrical equipment, such as electric motors, radar and navigation systems, communications systems, and power-generation equipment. Electronics engineers design and develop electronic equipment, including broadcast and communications systems, such as portable music players and Global Positioning System (GPS) devices.

Environmental engineering technicians

Environmental engineering technicians carry out the plans that environmental engineers develop. They test, operate and, if necessary, modify equipment used to prevent or clean up environmental pollution. They may collect samples for testing, or they may work to mitigate sources of environmental pollution.

Environmental engineers

Environmental engineers use the principles of engineering, soil science, biology and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems. They are involved in efforts to improve recycling, waste disposal, public health, and water- and air-pollution control.

Health and safety engineers

Health and safety engineers develop procedures and design systems to protect people from illness and injury and property from damage. They combine knowledge of engineering and of health and safety to make sure that chemicals, machinery, software, furniture and other products will not cause harm to people or damage to property.

Industrial engineering technicians

Industrial engineering technicians assist industrial engineers in devising efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information and energy to make a product or provide a service. They prepare machinery and equipment layouts, plan work flows, conduct statistical-production studies and analyze production costs.

Industrial engineers

Industrial engineers find ways to eliminate wastefulness in production processes. They devise efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information and energy to make a product or provide a service.

Mechanical engineering technicians

Mechanical engineering technicians help mechanical engineers design, develop, test and manufacture mechanical devices, including tools, engines and machines. They may make sketches and rough layouts, record and analyze data, make calculations and estimates, and report their findings.