Different Types of Engineering Degrees

Engineering is a field that has little to fear from the recent job market troubles. You must be intelligent and highly skilled to handle any job in this field. There are many different types of engineering degrees that lead to distinct careers. Engineering is a broad term that applies to many professions that use math and science to solve problems. If you like being creative with physics and chemistry, this could be a satisfying career path for you.

Aerospace Engineering

Engineers in the aerospace field focus their energies on understanding the way that physical forces interact with aircraft and spacecraft. When you see a rocket launch a satellite or a portion of a space station into the sky, its success is the result of the work of an aerospace engineer. These professionals design such craft to overcome natural obstacles and achieve their far-reaching goals. There are many specialties within the field of aerospace engineering, such as propulsion and thermodynamics.

Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineers bring their focus down to the microscopic level. They apply chemistry to their efforts in designing and manufacturing a wide variety of products in commercial and industrial settings. A job in this field could also lead you into the study of fuel efficiency, alternative energy and environmental protection. In this profession, you take part in the mass movement to find better ways to use Earth’s resources as you test and develop new products and scientific methods.

Civil Engineering

If you want to build the next generation of infrastructure in this country, you might want to specialize in civil engineering. These professionals use their knowledge of physics and mathematics to build roads, tunnels, bridges and other structures that people count on every day for transportation and communication. In addition, civil engineers are called upon to help with disaster recovery, such as when a hurricane, earthquake or tornado cause significant structural damage.

Civil engineers also have to study civil regulations and safety codes closely as they design their projects. In this field, there are specialty areas such as construction, geotechnical and structural engineering.

Electrical Engineering

The degree in electrical engineering is one of the most highly sought marks of skill in this subject area. The basic description is very straightforward. These engineers design and develop electrical systems.

However, electrical systems are used widely throughout all aspects of life. The Internet obviously consists of an immense electrical system. At the same time, cars, airplanes and the power grids that cover nearly every country on Earth now also depend on electrical power. Electrical engineers therefore play critical roles in the maintenance of modern societies. They are in high demand all over the world.

Mechanical Engineering

A mechanical engineer works in another category of engineering that is itself rich with its own specialties. Like electrical engineers, these professionals can apply their skills to a wide variety of tasks all around the world. Anything that involves machinery basically requires the periodical attention of a mechanical engineer. These skilled individuals also design and produce such machinery in their jobs with various industries.

Working in this field can involve everything from refrigerator repair to the development of artificially intelligent robots. A mechanical engineer has to work closely with other engineers to create finished products. Their jobs always require profound understanding of mathematics and physical principles.

The road to becoming an engineer begins with a bachelor degree in one of these specialties. Once you are working in the field, you will have opportunities to study more and to choose a more specific specialization. Ultimately, you will work to create the technology of tomorrow.

Author Bio
William Stevens is a writer who creates informative articles in relation to technology. In this article, he describes a few different engineering degrees and aims to encourage further study with a masters degree in electrical engineering.