ENGINEERING

ENGINEERING


There are many different FIELDS of engineering (here are just a few):

  • MECHANICAL ENGINEERS work with with machines, mechanisms, heat transfer, HVAC (heating/ventilation/and air conditioning) systems
  • ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS ENGINEERSS work with with electrical systems (power supplies, the power grid, etc.)
  • CIVIL ENGINEERS work on public works projects like bridges, tunnels, buildings, dams, roads, water supply systems.
  • AEROSPACE ENGINEERS work with flying machines (aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, airplanes, rockets, satellites...)
  • BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERS work with medical or health-related systems - prosthetics, implants, heart valves, heart-lung machines,


ENGINEERING Factoids:

  • Average salaries are ~$50 - 60K
  • Salary range is ~$38K - 150K (actual salary depends on degree held, experience, field, how good you are, etc.)
  • Typically you must have at least a BS degree from a university (obtained in 4-5 yrs).
  • However, many engineering students obtain the first 2 years of their schooling at community college (like Santa Ana College ) to save money and to get their early college education at a teaching-focused school.


RELATED FIELDS of Engineering:

  • DRAFTERS/DESIGNERS - earn average salaries of $30-40K. This job usually requires a vocational certificate (obtained in ~ 1-2 yrs). Designers/drafters typically use a CAD program to complete the details of a design created by an engineer.
  • ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS - earn average salaries of $40-50K. This job usually requires an associates degree (AS) (obtained in ~ 2 yrs). Engineering tech's typically run experiments, collect data, creates fixtures, under the direction on an engineer.
  • CONSTRUCTION - job titles vary considerably, as do the requirements. Salaries range from $20K-45K, depending on the job title, experience, ability, etc. Some positions require a BS degree & other require only a high school diploma and a period of apprenticeship (1-4 yrs, depending). Construction personnel construct homes, structures, etc. that were designed by architects and civil engineers. Construction is a physically-demanding job.
  • MACHINISTS - earn average salaries of $20-40K. This job usually requires a associates degree or a period of apprenticeship and instruction (obtained in 2-4 yrs). Machinists fabricate mechanical parts and components desigend by engineers. Machinists work in potentially dangerous environments, working with shop machines like the mill and lathe.

COOL ENGINEERING WEBSITES: