Engineering can be defined in many ways, but the most striking way would be “the application of science to the optimum conversion of the resources of nature to the uses of mankind”. Being an engineer is not easy. It requires someone with the ability to understand and utilize the principles of science and math for the betterment of human lives. (It involves more math and science than anyone would ever imagine). Here, let’s know about the Engineering Careers.
In the USA, engineers receive $91,010 per annum according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and over the next decade, it is expected to have employment growth of 140,000 new jobs.
There are various engineering fields offered by various colleges in the US. You also have undergraduate and postgraduate programs which determine your knowledge in the field. Depending upon your interest, you can choose the course that you like and build your skills in it. Some of the most common courses include computer science engineering, chemical engineering, information science engineering, biotechnology engineering, electrical engineering, and so on.
In this article, we will learn about these courses and their average salary so that you can decide what’s best for you.
Engineering Courses
1. Aerospace engineering:
It deals with the development of aircraft and spacecraft. The branch that deals with aircraft is aeronautical engineering and the one that deals with spacecraft is astronautical engineering. The students pursuing aerospace must have prior knowledge of math, physics, computers, and a little chemistry to understand the course well. In the USA, after a bachelor’s in aerospace engineering, you get to work in the air force, airlines, and other flight services. You could also get to work with NASA. Russia offers great scope for aerospace engineering with countless benefits for students
The average salary of aerospace engineering in the US is $103,743pa.
2. Agricultural engineering:
An engineer with agricultural knowledge is an agricultural engineer. They make design plans for better farming. Agricultural engineering is now a necessary field considering all the deforestation, global warming, etc. The tasks of an agricultural engineer include making various plans for effective irrigation, supervising the water systems, and product processing. They also do management. With an agricultural engineering degree, you can work at Mock, Roos & Associates, Grimmway Farms, Bayer, Caterpillar Inc., and so on. The students pursuing this degree must have background knowledge of chemistry and biology to understand the course better. The average salary of an agricultural engineer is $84,410 per annum in the US.
3. Artificial intelligence and Machine learning:
A person with an AI ML engineering degree is a person of IT whose main goals are researching and designing AI systems. These engineers create artificial intelligence algorithms that are capable of learning (Machine learning). The engineers verify databases, design AI and ML systems, run Machine tests, improve models, etc. Someone who wants to take up AI ML must be good at math, computers, robotics, data science, and physics. With a bachelor’s degree, you can work at various companies such as ID software, Facebook, Neevo. The base salary of an AI engineer is $140,985 per annum in the United States.
4. Automobile engineering:
Automobile engineering is a branch of vehicle engineering which deals with the design and manufacture of automobiles. Automobile engineering uses mechanical, electrical, software, and electronics engineering to ensure the safe operation of vehicles. The engineers also modify designs and systems for better results. The engineers have various tasks, such as fuel emission tests, NHV tests, and design, betterment of performance of vehicles, creating cost-effective solutions. As a fresher, you can work in all the major automotive industries such as Mercedes Benz, BMW, Audi. Germany is known to have the best scope in automobile engineering. The average salary of an automotive engineer is $82,500 per annum.
5. Biomedical engineering:
Biomedical engineering involves a person using principles of engineering to solve biological problems. A biomedical engineer studies, designs, and develops medical products and solutions. Artificial organs and genetic engineering have been breakthroughs in this field. Students interested in biomedical engineering must be good at biology, microbiology, and chemistry. Most people with a biomedical engineering degree end up working as a researcher, quality engineer, or manufacturing engineering at a biotech firm. The average salary of biomedical engineers is $93,620 per annum.
6. Chemical engineering:
It deals with the study of the operation and design of chemical plants along with improving them for a low cost yet effective production. People always mistake chemical engineering with chemistry, which is wrong. Chemical engineering has very little Chemistry, In chemical engineering, you mainly learn the concepts of heat transfer, reaction engineering, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, etc. Chemical engineering offers a wide range of jobs from processing to manufacturing, from pharmacy to petroleum. The jobs are endless, but unlike IT companies, the companies related to chemical engineering don’t hire in bulk, which was what makes chemical engineering less aware. The average salary of a chemical engineer is $108,540 per annum in the US
7. Civil engineering:
Civil engineering uses principles of engineering to design, construct, and maintain natural and man-made structures. Civil engineering is considered one of the oldest professions, followed by military engineering. A civil engineer constructs roads, airports, buildings, sewage systems, etc. There are several branches under civil engineering that deal with different aspects of construction. You can either work with the government or join a private firm. As a civil engineer, you will have to do a lot of field inspections and project planning, which will require a lot of brainstorming. The average salary of a civil engineer is $87,060 per annum in the United States.
8. Computer science Engineering:
Computer science engineering is the most popular choice among students. It deals with the design and implementation of information systems (both software and hardware). As a computer science engineer, you will have to create and develop various software and hardware. You will also have to run test programs and audits along with installing software updates for the company that you work for. To pursue this course, one has to have the basic knowledge of mathematics, electronics, and electrical, followed by programming languages, computational thinking, discrete mathematics, and mathematical analysis. Coding, programming, web development are the important skills required to be a good CS engineer. The average salary of a computer science engineer is $52,506 per annum.
9. Electrical engineering:
Electrical engineering deals with the study, design, and application of devices and systems involving electricity and its phenomenon (such as electromagnetism). Under electrical engineering, you have systems engineering, power engineering, instrumentation, and many more, all of which are important. The bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering usually covers topics of mathematics, physics, computer science, and electrical engineering. As an electrical engineer, you have a wide variety of options to choose from. You could open up engineering services, you could work at airports, railways, you could also work with the aircraft and automobile industry. The average salary of an electrical engineer is $101,600 per annum in the United States.
10. Environmental engineering:
As an environmental engineer, you will use the concepts of various fields from chemistry, biology, hydrology, microbiology, geology, ecology, and mathematics to come up with solutions that are of less a threat to the environment and the living organisms. Environmental engineering aims to protect human lives, preserve natural ecosystems and improve the overall quality of the environment. With increasing global warming, pollution, greenhouse effect, ozone depletion, and acid rains, there has been a demand for environmental engineers to help save the using their knowledge. The average salary of an environmental engineer is $88,860 per annum in the United States.
11. Energy engineering:
Energy engineering deals with devising solutions that are energy efficient. As an energy engineer, you will have to learn about energy services, plant engineering, sustainable energy, etc. With non-renewable energy-depleting each day, energy engineers are on the run to find new energy sources which are environment friendly. So far we have solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass energy which are all eco-friendly and renewable. You will learn concepts from mathematics physics, chemistry, and geology in energy engineering. The average salary of an energy engineer is $64,587 per annum in the United States. An energy engineer will always be in high demand, considering no one is ever going to stop using energy.
12. Materials science engineering:
Materials science engineering studies various behaviors and properties of different substances such that the substance can be used to its full potential. As a materials science engineer, you will test out various properties physical, chemical, and mechanical in the laboratory. You will also work towards designing new products. Researchers use their knowledge of physics, chemistry, and mathematics to understand the origins of a substance. The average salary of a Materials science engineer is $77,907 in the United States.
13. Information science engineering:
Information science and engineering deal with the analysis, classification, storage, retrieval, collection, and protection of information. It identifies and stores the properties of information. Information science engineering is related to computer science engineering in many ways. To pursue information science engineering, you must have a strong background in mathematics, data science, and computers. You get to work as a system analyst, information professional, computer technician, and many more with a bachelor’s degree in information science engineering. An average engineer earns about $75,938 per year in the United States.
14. Industrial management engineering:
Industrial engineering deals with simplifying processes and systems involved in manufacturing products. They optimize people, money, or organizations to manufacture goods cost-effectively. Industrial engineers use mathematical, mechanical, social sciences, electrical and engineering principles to design, develop and maintain equipment. As an industrial engineer, you will have to come up with new ways of manufacturing products, perform quality tests, and review production schedules. An average industrial engineer earns about $88,950 per annum in the United States.
15. Mechanical engineering:
Mechanical engineering deals with the study design and development of mechanical devices. Under mechanical engineering, you will learn the concepts of mechanics, physics, power engineering, automotive engineering, and mechatronics which is a combination of electrical, mechanical, and computer engineering. As a mechanical engineer, you will plan and design equipment required for your company, develop prototypes using computer-aided drawing (CAD), and test designs to give their analysis. Companies like Bosch, Ford, Boeing, and Nvidia are always on the lookout for mechanical engineers. Germany offers the best course in mechanical engineering. In the United States, an average mechanical engineer earns about $88,430 per year.
16. Military engineering:
Military engineering is regarded as the oldest engineering ever recorded. Military engineering uses the principles of engineering to design military weapons, vehicles, and communication. Military engineers also help in strategizing the army. As a military engineer, you will have to design, construct and safeguard the military equipment of the country. As such, there is no direct military engineering course. If you have done your bachelor’s in electrical, mechanical, or civil you can get into it.
17. Mining engineering:
Mining engineering uses principles of engineering to extract and process minerals from the natural environment. Mining is a lot of work. First, you need to select the area, then find ways to extract the ore without causing any disturbance to the environment, then use processes to clean the ore, and finally extract the desired mineral. To be a mining engineer, you need to have s good knowledge of geology, chemistry, mechanical engineering, management law, and information technology. The average salary of a mining engineer is $87,960 pretty annum.
18. Nanoengineering:
When engineering principles are applied at the nanoscale, it is called Nanoengineering. Nanoparticles are particles whose size is less than 10-9 meters. Nanoscience is an evolving subject with a variety of applications ranging from carbon nanotubes to lightweight polymers. As a Nano engineer, you will have to deal with, designing, building, and maintaining machines that can be used at the nanoscale. Nanotechnology is not something that everybody opts for because of its dangers such as lung damage, skin cancers, and many more. traditionally student first earns a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or any other equivalent to it and then does his master’s in Nanoscience and technology.
Nanoengineering is an interdisciplinary course which means you will combine the concept of biology chemistry physics engineering and much more to a miniature scale. Nanotechnology is a rising field of science that impacts economic growth. Since there is a shortage of Nano engineers in the world by becoming one, you will have great chances of earning a good salary. A typical Nano engineer earns about $88,291 per annum in the United States.
19. Nuclear engineering:
Nuclear engineering deals with the reactions happening at the atomic level, such as nuclear fission (breakdown of nuclei) and nuclear fusion (combining off nuclei). in both reactions certain amount of energy is released. nuclear engineers study the reactions and energy released to design components like reactors, power plants, and weapons. nuclear engineering uses concepts of physics, chemistry, and mathematics. as a nuclear engineer, your job is to design and develop nuclear equipment which is safe to operate. You will also be continuously exposed to radiation, which could cause health issues. With the need for sustainable energy, the demand for nuclear engineers has been increased by 4%. now an average nuclear engineer earns about $1116,140 per year.
20. Petroleum engineering:
Petroleum engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with activities concerned extraction and production of hydrocarbons for energy purposes. The hydrocarbons can be either crude oil or natural gas. Petroleum engineers come up with various ways to find and extract oil and gas oil for their country. In recent times, petroleum engineers are developing price-effective ways to extract these hydrocarbons from the earth. To be a petroleum engineer, you will have to be excellent at mathematics, geology, chemistry, physics, and mining engineering. As a petroleum engineer, you get to travel a lot from field to mines for inspections and other works. As of May 2020, an average petroleum engineer earns $137,330 per annum.
21. Quantum engineering:
Quantum engineering deals with the invention of technology based on the laws of quantum mechanics. Devices such as MRI images, lasers, and transistors work on the principles of quantum mechanics. Quantum engineers work towards understanding the laws better and optimizing the operations of current devices. As a quantum engineer, you will design and execute experiments using quantum technology. An average quantum engineer earns anywhere between $70,000 to $ 119,500 per annum in the United States.
22. Telecommunication engineering:
Telecommunication engineering is an interdisciplinary course that deals with information exchange through wired or wireless means. it is considered an interdisciplinary course because it uses concepts of electrical computer and system engineering to create and maintain various communication systems. Telecommunication engineers usually work in telecom services, communications software developers, and public sectors. As a telecommunication engineer, you will have to design, install, troubleshoot telecommunication networks and ensure smooth communication through them. An average telecommunication engineer earns $62,500 per annum in the United States.
23. Textile Engineering:
Textile engineering deals with the production and research of fabrics and threads. Due to the diverse cultures in the world, textile engineering is now a growing field. As a textile engineer, you will design and develop cost-effective ways to produce yarn, research new fabrics, and perform quality control tests on fabrics. Brands such as Abercrombie and Fitch, Tommy Hilfiger, Puma, and Nike hire textile engineers to research on fabrics, manage production, and perform inspections at factories. A typical textile engineer earns an average of $81,746 per year in the United States.
24. Thermal engineering:
Thermal engineering is considered as the sub-branch of chemical engineering which deals with the process and movements of heat. Thermal engineers convert heat into other usable forms, such as mechanical, chemical, or electrical, through numerous processes that be used to extract energy. As a thermal architect, your duties are to utilize the heat energy as much as possible without any wastage, to come up with effective current systems that minimize heat losses, and to design systems that offer to cool to the equipment. Thermal engineers use thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer to achieve their goals. An average thermal engineer earns $79,478 per annum.
25. Supply chain engineering:
To understand supply chain engineering, you first need to know what supply chain is. Supply chains are the activities involved in delivering products to the consumers. The engineering that deals with planning and developing methods of the supply chain is known as supply chain engineering. The main areas of supply chain engineering include logistics, production, and pricing. As a supply chain engineer, you will have to come up with strategies for the supply chain, determine target customers, and plan improvements in current methods. A lot of companies hire supply chain engineers to sell their products or services effectively. The average salary of a supply chain engineer is $62,000 per annum.
Why is the USA best for engineering?
The United States of America has now become a hub for engineering. Naturally, the students in the USA opt for Universities in the same. What’s interesting is the number of international students, 62% of international students opt for Universities in the USA for their studies. Why do you ask? The answers are pretty obvious.
• Universities in the USA offer a wide range of courses for students to choose from, unlike other countries. A single University can offer more than 1000 courses. Universities offer the best courses with hand on teaching both theoretically and practically helping the students achieve their goals. By the third semester, you will cut the chase and be asked to follow what you love.
• Let’s face it, getting a job is not easy. You will end up doing anything that you can to add value to your resume. But in the US with engineering thriving, you don’t have to worry about scoring a job until you have a bachelor’s in Engineering degree or anything equivalent to it. The higher your degree, the better the job. Companies such as Apple, Microsoft, Google, Bosch, Tesla, and many other MNCs recruit engineers regularly.
• If you want to be taught by the top best researchers with cutting edge technology the USA has to be your first choice. All the top colleges of the USA have in-built research facilities which allow you to study and understand the subject better.
• The universities of the USA know better that it’s not all textbooks. To be a good engineer is to have the right skills. Education in the USA is based on creativity and outside-the-box thinking allowing you to be better engineers than any other country.
• Engineers of the USA earn far more than engineers of any other country. Consider chemical engineering, an average chemical engineer in the US earns $108,540 per annum, whereas the same engineer with the same degree in India earns as little as $6495 per annum.
How can I be a good engineer
To be a good engineer you need the right skills.
•Firstly, you have to learn your basics. They are the foundation of all the knowledge that you will gain in the future. Also, being updated with the current technology trends will help you in a better understanding of problems faced in your work field.
•Learn time management and planning since it is essential to do work productively and be open to any other new skill that you might have to learn while you work.
•Work on your communication skills and your emotional intelligence as it is a key factor in getting work done as a group.
•Lastly and most importantly, work hard. Nothing in this world comes easily. You have to find your work-life- personal life balance and be punctual in your work.
Anyone can be an engineer, but to be a good one takes a lot of effort and practice.
Conclusion
Engineering uses principles of math and science to solve problems of daily life. There are many kinds of engineering to choose from depending on the subjects that you like. Chemical, computers, electrical, mechanical, civil, etc. are all the kinds of engineering that you can opt for. The USA has now become a hub spot for engineering. The universities in the USA offer the best education which is based on creativity and not just textbooks. Universities also offer research-based education which helps you understand the concepts better and hence be a better engineer. Companies such as Apple, Google, Tesla, and BMW offer jobs with salaries more than that of other countries. An engineering degree from the US has more value. So if you are looking forward to studying engineering, you might as well do it in America.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
1. Which is the toughest engineering?
Courses such as chemical, electrical, computer science, and mechanical are considered to be tough as it involves a lot more studying and researching than the other courses.
2. Which are the best colleges in the US for engineering?
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA
Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, NJ
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA
Are the best universities for engineering.
