Career change is often a crucial step in one’s professional life. People tend to opt for a career change because they are not earning enough in their specific region or their careers are not taking into account their interest in knowledge. Career change to engineering is becoming a lot more common now because engineering is one of the top technical fields which has growing scope in this modern era.
Career change itself is influenced by several factors. Career change to engineering is the choice of many people because of the increasing scope and demand of the field. There are various reasons to opt for engineering as a career change mainly because of a technical and highly-paid job. Career change is all dependent on interest and learning. For a successful career change, one may have to learn new skills or get new certifications to build a strong profile. Furthermore, for a person doing a career change to engineering, these certifications get more important because they do not have any prior experience hence to prove that one knows the necessary information, certifications, and skill set is the only way.
Engineering and its surroundings
Engineering is a discipline for those people who have an interest in subjects like mathematics and science, mainly physics. Engineering is based on concepts and facts rather than opinions. Engineering as a career can opt-in many forms such as mechanical engineering, software engineering, telecommunication engineering, metallurgical engineering, and many more. Engineers now are more focused on technical developments and theories. Engineers also need to possess a few soft skills like communication, critical thinking, and observation.
Why is a career change to engineering a fruitful decision?
Career change to engineering is a favorable option because engineering is one of the top highly-paid professions in this modern world. In this modern world of technology, the demand for engineers is rapidly growing hence there are a lot of options for jobs for engineers. And along with these virtues, engineering is a respectable field, and engineers are valued everywhere. Engineering is a career that has proven to be promising in every part of the world. Amongst the young students as well this field is quite famous as well as recently in Pakistan, a government engineering university admitted more female students than males.
Degree for Engineers
Usually, for engineers, the journey is such that they need to complete high school, almost 12 years of education and then they need to complete a bachelor of Engineering in any field of their choice. Later on, a master’s in the same degree can increase the further value. Apart from formal education, there are a few engineering fields that require some external field training as well such as civil engineering. But there are few cases as such where people without a degree from reputable institutions are working as engineers. Few electrical engineers and computer engineers get relevant training and start working in these positions. They do face some issues but can work here. Hence, a set of training along with experience is what keeps them going despite not having a degree.
Types of Engineering jobs
Although there are many engineering jobs, those who are having a career shift to engineering are restricted to some particular jobs only. Engineering jobs such as mechanical engineering, computer engineering, civil engineer, and electrical engineer are easier to pursue after a career shift rather than a textile engineer or environmental engineering.
- Computer Engineer: For a career change to computer engineer, employees need to learn a few technical courses in programming and designing because computer engineering revolves around dealing with both software and hardware systems. Along with programming skills, they need to focus on data structures and algorithms. A computer engineer can make between $90K to $100K yearly.
- Electrical Engineer: Electrical engineers do pursue a degree but like medical sciences, it is the practice that makes one a good electrical engineer. A bachelor’s degree is required along with pieces of training in the field. An internship in any electrical firm can make one easily grab hands in this field.
- Mechanical Engineer: The study of mechanical engineering is considered one of the most difficult which means getting a mechanical engineering job without a degree can be tough. A mechanical engineer usually deals with machinery and its internal parts and work. The annual salary of a mechanical engineer is almost $88K and above.
Career change at age of 30 or above
Well, many people are concerned about the age and time that it is suitable to go for a career change when they are 30, 40, or even 50. Career change doesn’t depend on age but rather on your interest. If a person is interested in engineering, of course, he’ll be willing to learn as well, which is the key to this purpose. 30 years is not a late time to change your career to engineering. If one has made up their mind, one should start researching what one needs to learn and experience. As for the age of 40 and 50, people think even at this age one can start learning and practicing. It may seem difficult but if one is passionate one will make it.
How to change your career to engineering?
The first step for this will be to determine which field of engineering you want to opt for and that can be determined by considering your area of interest and what subjects you like and can easily learn. While selecting the field you can also consider the scope of a particular field. After selecting the field, one should start their research on what required skills or qualifications for that field. Then make sure you already possess those skills and if you don’t start another research that is how you can manage to learn those resources from possible and effective sources. If you’re learning any new skill or doing any course, get a certification for it to display in your portfolio. This will make you a standard candidate. Later on, hunt for jobs in the market. In the beginning, you may have to begin as a Junior worker but that would eventually climb up as you spend time in the industry.
Conclusion:
Career change to engineering is quite a reliable option for those who have skills like critical thinking and problem-solving. Along with this interest in the technical side is another important requirement. Career change to engineering is supported for reasons like highly-paid jobs, reputable professions, and growing scope in the modern era. There are various options to choose from in engineering hence opening a lot of gates. Career change is not influenced by age but by the willingness of learning new things. The article also briefly focuses on how one can change their career to engineering. And the mentioned steps don’t only correspond to changing to engineering but also to other fields where the only difference is of available fields and required education.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Does every engineering require the same education?
The initial education may be the same but different skills and courses are taught in later stages. Like there is a huge difference between major courses in Computer engineering and Mechanical engineering.
- Is a career change to engineering easy?
It will require you to work on a few new subjects and skills. If one is doing this out of their interest it won’t be difficult but exciting.
- What is the best age to change careers?
As already discussed, age is not a determining factor in this process but it is will and interest.
