What is Engineering?

Even if you don’t work in a science or technical field, you’ve likely heard of the engineering profession. There are dozens of types of engineers, with each type applying the concepts of math, science and art to solve problems, according to Jennifer Gorczyca, an associate dean of engineering, technology and aeronautics at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU).

As a former senior engineer in the computational and statistical sciences field, she said that engineers are inherently problem solvers. Often, solving these problems involves building something new, like a physical structure or a system, or improving upon existing structures or systems.

She says that engineers of every specialty share the same core skills and aptitudes:

• Analytical thinking and problem-solving
• Critical thinking skills
• Curiosity about how things work
• Math and science background

What is Engineering in Simple Words?

Put simply, engineers make things work. In fact, according to online encyclopedia Britannica, the words "engine" and "ingenious" have the same Latin root, "ingenerare," which means "to create." Being innovative is actually in the job title.

To put it a bit more eloquently, David Guo, an associate professor of aeronautical engineering at SNHU with several years of experience as an aerospace design engineer, said, "Engineering is a practical way for human society to change, modify and improve the physical world around us so that humans can have a better life."

Engineering involves various activities to build, create or modify things such as machines, tools and environments. While there are dozens of types of engineering, four major categories include:

1. Chemical engineers use knowledge of sciences to solve problems that affect the use or production of chemicals, food, drugs and more, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
   
   
2. Civil engineers solve infrastructure problems and work on projects like building bridges, highways, tunnels and dams, BLS reported.
   
   
3. Electrical engineers focus on the design, testing and manufacturing of electrical components, such as designing motors, navigation and communication systems, according to BLS.
   
   
4. Mechanical engineers design and build mechanical devices, such as engines, tools and machines, BLS noted.

What Exactly Does an Engineer Do?

"Engineers are trained professionals who follow scientific principles, design new tools and machines, and build, fabricate and/or manufacture products," said Guo.

That encompasses a wide variety of projects and applications. While there are many sub-specialties of engineering, problem-solving is a key skill that leads to success in any area.

"Engineers look at the world and think about how to make it better," Gorczyca said. This can involve hands-on fieldwork, computer simulations or a combination of both.

Engineering is about more than just math and science, even though technical skills are heavily a part of the profession. They must also think critically and creatively and have an innate curiosity.

There's an opportunity to shape your career based on your unique passions and interests. "You can forge your own path while applying mathematics, science and even art,” said Gorczyca. The wide-ranging options for an engineering career make the profession truly customizable.

How Do I Become an Engineer?

The best way to get started is the same for any field: consider your interests. Chances are, if you’re interested in engineering, you were interested in science and how things work from a young age, according to Guo.

You may even be passionate about creating new things. What interests you personally, and what are your goals professionally? The answer will likely steer you in the right direction.

Once you have narrowed down your personal and professional interests, look for an engineering program that overlaps with those interests. The list of options is seemingly endless. For example, Gorczyca knows mechanical engineers who have worked designing:

• Airplane engines and automobiles
• Amusement park rides
• Assistive technologies
• Fabrics in the fashion industry and shoes
• Sporting equipment and toys

Those are just examples within the field of mechanical engineering. There are countless options in other areas of engineering as well.

Next, you could research college programs that offer the particular area of engineering that you want and check out the admission requirements. From there, you can talk with an admission counselor to narrow down the field of engineering that is best suited for you.

What Qualifications Do You Need to Be an Engineer?

To enter one of the four significant areas of engineering, chemical, civil, electrical and mechanical, you generally need a bachelor's degree in a related field. Some employers also value some practical experience, BLS reported. A graduate degree could also help you build more knowledge in your desired field.

"A master’s degree is not necessary, but having one can help you specialize in areas of interest and advance your career,” Gorczyca said.

According to BLS, here are a few other engineering specializations that you could consider with a bachelor's or master's degree:

• Aerospace engineering focuses on the design of spacecraft, satellites, aircraft and even missiles, according to BLS.
  
  
• Computer hardware engineering encompasses research, development and design of physical computer systems and components, BLS reported.
  
  
• Software engineering includes design of computer programs and applications, according to the BLS. This includes computer programming and coding in various potential careers, such as video game design.

This profession can also prepare you to be a lifelong learner, as engineering demands an understanding of scientific principles and hands-on experience. That means staying up to date with the latest industry trends, tools and discoveries in your field.

What is the Day-to-Day Life of an Engineer Like?

Because the profession is so varied, a typical day is not very typical. For example, an aerospace engineer may have a very different day than a chemical engineer. An engineer working for a public agency may have a different working environment than someone working for a private corporation.

“Some engineers work in an office setting while others work in the field,” Gorczyca said. Engineers could also work on several projects simultaneously, according to Guo. He emphasizes project work as a major component of the daily lives of engineers. Project work involves:

• Research
• Modeling
• Design
• Prototyping development
• Testing
• Verifications

Teamwork and communication are also essential parts of day-to-day work for engineers.

The profession can involve some or no travel, lots of lead time on creating deliverables or very little lead time. By considering the type of projects that interest you most, the area of engineering you specialize in will largely dictate the type of projects you work on.

That variety is one of the things that Gorczyca likes the best about the profession.

“I have worked on projects related to automobile crashworthiness, sporting equipment including helmets and baseball bats and air filtration, to name just a few,” she said. Gorczyca also enjoys sharing her knowledge and expertise through writing articles for publication and in the classroom as a professor.

How Hard is It to Be an Engineer?

While engineering, like most professions, can be quite challenging, it can also bring about a great sense of achievement and success.

“For someone to choose this career, they will also have respect and job security because engineers are generally well-respected in the United States,” said Guo.

A strong sense of ethics, professional responsibility and accountability are key to success in this profession. "While any person can make mistakes, wrongful activities in engineering can cause more major harm and damage to humanity," said Guo.

For these reasons, having sound foundational STEM skills and a strong moral compass will help lead to success.

Engineering is a career based on problem-solving and bringing new things into the world that did not exist previously. Guo finds a great sense of achievement and success to be the best parts of working as an engineer. Gorczyca enjoys the challenge of shaping her career based on her interests and passions.

Ultimately, whichever part of engineering you choose, you can be inspiring, innovative and ingenious in creating new things and make the world a better place, one project at a time.

Dr. Marie Morganelli is a career educator and writer, as well as a former higher education administrator. She has taught and tutored composition, literature, and writing at all levels from middle school through graduate school. With two graduate degrees in English language and literature, her focus — whether teaching or writing — is in helping to raise the voices of others through the power of storytelling. Connect with her on LinkedIn.