Traditional Engineering Roles
Let’s kick off with some of the more traditional roles available within the engineering field. Engineers play a key role in the smooth running of towns and cities. For example, mechanical engineers design and build machinery used in critical industries (manufacturing, transport), while civil engineers manage construction projects like buildings and bridges.
Alternatively, if you’re interested in a more technical or theoretical role, chemical engineers develop new ways to transform raw materials (natural gas) into everyday products (plastic). Similarly, electrical engineers design and repair electrical systems to keep key industries running smoothly.
Emerging Fields & Specialisations
One of the exciting things about a career in engineering is how interdisciplinary it is. One example of this is how engineering can be used to deal with biological challenges. Biomedical engineers utilise their understanding of engineering principles to develop new healthcare equipment, allowing diseases to be diagnosed and treated quickly.
More interested in an environment-focused career?
A career as a marine engineer involves designing and building boats, submarines and other maritime structures, while renewable energy engineers drive sustainability by developing clean ways to supply energy.
Other emerging roles within engineering include careers as an aerospace engineer (designing aeroplanes, spacecraft and satellites), a vehicle crash test engineer (evaluating vehicle safety through designing crash test experiments) and a photonics engineer (developing products which use light to generate electricity).
Engineering in Technology & Innovation
Technologies like artificial intelligence are transforming industries, and the engineering sector is no exception. A career as an artificial intelligence engineer or robotics engineer allows you to design and build machines with similar capabilities as humans. Many industries are seeking to use artificial intelligence systems or robots to do jobs that are too dangerous or too monotonous for humans.
If you’re suited to a more behind the scenes role within this innovative sector, you might enjoy working as a data engineer. These personnel use machine learning and computer software to analyse and interpret large quantities of data. The results of this data is used by a number of industries to improve business processes and thus overall efficiency. Similarly, network engineers design and maintain IT systems for businesses.
Future & Alternative Careers
What about if you’ve realised that a career as an engineer isn’t for you? The practical skills one gains from an engineering degree (problem solving, project management) come in handy in a range of jobs. You could segue into the business sector, working as a project manager for a STEm company.
Or, if you’re full of ideas that could improve the sector for the better, you could even become an entrepreneur, setting up a technology startup. Many engineering graduates also pursue careers in consultancy, using their technical expertise to solve problems for external organisations and clients.
Skills & Qualifications
Having an idea of what sort of jobs you’re interested in is one thing, but securing a job in your chosen sector can be an additional hurdle. One way to enhance your employability is through developing key skills and qualifications. These include: technical proficiency (programming languages, CAD), strategic thinking, communication, leadership and teamwork.
Your degree is a great place to start developing these skills, but you should also take advantage of opportunities outside your studies. Shadowing and internship opportunities, joining societies and completing passion projects are all ways you can stand out to future employers.
There are a diverse range of career paths available to engineering graduates, with opportunities for those interested in biomedicine, technology or even entrepreneurship. Whatever you’re interested in, we encourage you to explore your interests further to pursue a rewarding career path in engineering.