What is Engineering?

 

Engineering is the art of applying scientific and mathematical principles, experience, judgment, and common sense to make things that benefit people. Engineers design bridges and important medical equipment as well as processes for cleaning up toxic spills and systems for mass transit. In other words, engineering is the process of producing a technical product or system to meet a specific need.

Engineers have many different types of jobs to choose from, including research, design, analysis, development, testing, and sales positions. If you are interested in discovering new knowledge, you might consider a career as a research engineer. If you are imaginative and creative, design engineering may be for you. The work of analytical engineers most closely resembles what you do in your mathematics and science classes. If you like laboratory courses and conducting experiments, look into becoming a development engineer. Sales engineering could be a good choice if you are persuasive and like working with people.

Engineering work is also organized by traditional academic fields of study. The five largest of these are chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, and mechanical engineering. There are also more specialized engineering fields, including aerospace, ocean, nuclear, biomedical, and environmental engineering.

Where would you like to be in 10 years? Designing spacecraft to explore the Milky Way? Building environmentally safe systems to power cities? Saving lives through new laser applications? Choose a career in engineering and help make these great things happen!

Engineers are problem solvers, people who search for quicker, better, less expensive ways to use the forces and materials of nature to meet tough challenges. Throughout the ages, from the building of the Egyptian pyramids to the landing on the moon, engineers have been the shapers of progress.