Who is an engineer?
An engineer is a specialist who invents, designs, analyzes, builds, and tests machines, systems, structures, devices, and materials, taking into account their practicality, safety, and cost. The challenge of engineers is to apply scientific discoveries to the needs of people and businesses.Technological progress happened thanks to the representatives of this profession. Roads, bridges, trains, planes, ships, buildings, computers, telephones, all of those are the work of engineers.
The activities of engineers can be related to programming, biology, mathematics, chemistry, bioengineering, as well as military affairs, economics, ecology, and other areas. Accordingly, there are many engineering specialties: surveyor, designer, estimator, technologist, electronics, mechanic, electrician, power engineer, builder, designer, tester, electrical engineer, heat engineer, mechatronics engineer, ecologist, etc.
Salary of an engineer in different countries
Country/region | Min. Salary/year | Avg. salary/year | Construction engineer | Biochemical engineer | Mechanical engineer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
US | 42,200 USD | 91,700 USD | 85,600 USD | 83,100 USD | 87,000 USD |
United Kingdom | 26,361 USD | 83,106 USD | 93,096 USD | 83,939 USD | 55,497 USD |
Australia | 18,697 USD | 58,938 USD | 64,400 USD | 56,629 USD | 61,554 USD |
Canada | 25,214 USD | 79,582 USD | 84,309 USD | 80,370 USD | 63,035 USD |
Germany | 14,632 USD | 46,142 USD | 47,481 USD | 41,743 USD | 50,207 USD |
France | 15,899 USD | 49,967 USD | 52,239 USD | 49,370 USD | 50,207 USD |
Russia | 5,359 USD | 8,039 USD | 6,431 USD | 7,905 USD | 7,637 USD |
Czech Republic | 8,904 USD | 28,087 USD | 31,246 USD | 27,477 USD | 26,402 USD |
China | 14,546 USD | 45,862 USD | 50,217 USD | 45,399 USD | 55,591 USD |
Singapore | 24,201 USD | 52,510 USD | 49,926 USD | 48,581 USD | 63,789 USD |
The advantages of the engineering profession
- A wide range of specializations. Engineering can be associated with many disciplines. For example, mathematics, physics, ecology, mining, biology, chemistry, etc. Students can choose any direction that fits their tastes.
- Dynamic career ladder and employment. Engineers are always needed, so graduates usually find work quickly and often start working part-time during their studies[0][1]. An engineering career also has development and growth. For example, overseas initial positions are called junior, more advanced — senior.
- High salaries. Engineers in many countries have stable and high earnings. For example, in the US, engineers are ranked 17th and 18th in the top 20 highest paid professions[2], while in the UK their average income is about 83,245 USD, which is twice the national average salary[3]. Although it is worth noting that in the CIS region, and some other countries, humble salaries offered by the entry-level positions often test the newcomers' desire to continue working in that field.
Disadvantages of engineering profession
- Long process of learning the craft. This can be said about many professions, but especially about engineers. It takes quite a long time before a specialist is given large projects. In many countries, you first need to obtain a license and only then you can start working.
- Great responsibility. The responsibility of the engineer is obvious: the lives of people depend on the safety of buildings and infrastructure. It is not for nothing that design specialists are criminally liable for their work.
- Adverse health effects. Engineers of many specializations work in hazardous working conditions: vibrations, fumes, noise. Workers in the industrial sector or in the field of mining also risk injuries and face other health hazards[4].
Engineering specializations
Engineering deals with many branches of science: mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry, ecology, bioengineering. It is rather difficult to choose from such a large number of directions. Some of the highest-paid majors are Big Data Engineer, Petroleum Engineer, and Software Engineer[5]. You cannot completely neglect salary sizes, but making them the main criterion when choosing a direction is unwise. As a rule, such motivation won’t be enough to go through difficult studies at a university, and then do it all your life for your own pleasure.You should rather start from your interests and hobbies. If during childhood you were fond of the structure of devices and machines, dismantled toys into parts, and reassembled them, then mechanical engineering might suit you. If you love planes and engines, aerospace engineering is a great choice. It is also recommended to take free internships and see what engineers of various specializations deal with in practice.
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How to become an engineer?
Education is a prerequisite of becoming an engineer. Engineering specialties are offered in almost all higher education institutions. In some countries, such as the USA and Canada, to start working, you first need to obtain a license.Vocational education of an engineer
There are a few options for obtaining vocational education in the field of engineering. For example, community colleges in the US offer the following subjects: electronics, industrial instrumentation, air conditioning technology, heating and refrigeration technology, multimedia technology, etc. In Australia, the main programs that can be found at TAFEs are manufacturing and welding, hydraulics and pneumatics, mechanical engineering and related careers, plastics and rubber manufacturing, plumbing.After graduation, you can work as a technician (for example, a measurement technician, instrumentation technician, control technician, service technician, etc.). However, the majority of college graduates continue their education at universities in the bachelor's programs[6], because a specialist with a bachelor’s degree has better job prospects for higher positions with good salaries compared to a college graduate.
Higher engineering education
Higher education is provided by universities and colleges. The programs they offer are software engineering, mechanical engineering, automation, robotics, bioengineering, mechatronics, etc. As a rule, internships in the workplace are compulsory during studies.Higher education, and then a profession can be obtained by doing the following:
- Getting a bachelor's degree. In some countries you can find specific programs. For example, in the UK there is an integrated MEng in engineering. Generally, holders of a bachelor's degree are qualified to work or apply for a license. According to a study by Engineering UK, 62% of first-degree graduates were employed full-time (the rest continued their studies, found a part-time job, etc.)[7].
- Complete a master's program. A master's degree is usually needed to move up the career ladder and study a narrower specialization. Master’s engineer students focus on in-depth development of their technical skills.
- Continue education in doctoral studies. After obtaining a PhD qualification, an engineer can teach at the university and conduct research activities.
Engineering specialties admission requirements
University admission criteria vary by country and program. Typically the following is required:
- A high school diploma for a bachelor's program, a bachelor's degree for a master's program, a master's degree for doctoral studies (often there are grade requirements for certain subjects);
- The results of entrance examinations SAT / ACT / GRE / GMAT in the United States, ECUS in Switzerland;
- Language certificate (TOEFL or IELTS);
- Motivation letter;
- Letters of recommendation;
- Interview, resume, etc.
Engineering programs of the top world universities 2020
No | University | Bachelor’s/year | Country |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 27,725 USD | USA |
2 | Stanford University | 73,964 USD | USA |
3 | University of Cambridge | 46,929 USD | UK |
4 | Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETHZ) | 1460 CHF | Switzerland |
5 | University of California, Berkeley | 48,006 USD | USA |
6 | University of Oxford | 37,141-52,042 USD | UK |
7 | Imperial College London | 46,825 USD | UK |
8 | Nanyang Technological University | 27,510 USD | Singapore |
9 | Tsinghua University | 4,169-35,516 USD | China |
10 | National University of Singapore | 28,533 USD | Singapore |
What qualities does an engineer need?
Engineering is suitable for students who prefer mathematics and science. Problem-solving skills also will be important. At the same time, engineering implies a creative approach, for example, in the design and operation of various infrastructures, machines, and processes. However, having a lively mind and quick wits is not quite enough. A good engineer must have social and emotional intelligence. Because for specialists in these fields, it is important not only to understand what is happening around them but also to come up with inventions and solutions that will help the people. After all, engineers primarily design for other people, not for themselves or machines. Natural curiosity, logical and analytical mindset, communication skills, attention to detail, teamwork and a constant desire to learn and improve are the essential skills of a successful professional.Read more
Where do engineers work?
Most engineers work in office buildings, laboratories, or industrial plants. Others may spend time outdoors at construction sites, oil and gas exploration, and production sites. There, they supervise direct operations and solve work-related issues on the spot.Software engineers work in IT companies, aerospace engineers — in civil aviation plants, airlines, or space programs, food processing engineers — in factories (meat processing plants, canneries, food companies, etc.). The places of employment of design engineers depend on the specialization. Thus, furniture designers work in state factories and private firms, marine engineers — in shipbuilding and ship repair enterprises, mechanical engineers — in factories and enterprises that produce machine tools, cars, and household appliances.
The international labor market for engineers is promising. Emerging markets have a high demand for engineers due to rapid industrial and commercial expansion.
Famous engineers



Profession Engineer — Facts
Study duration |
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Avg. tuition fees per year, worldwide |
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Prestigious awards | Charles Stark Draper Prize, International Award of Merit in Structural Engineering, Edison Award |
Professional holiday | 4th March |
Related specialties | Technician, inventor, project manager, researcher, teacher |