Career in Engineering
Engineers are strategic thinkers and problem solvers, who make use of their skills and expertise to convert scientific knowledge into innovative technologies. They create innovations that improve the quality of life. Electricity, telecommunication, transportation and irrigation are all engineering innovations. Some of the various branches of engineering include Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Mechanical, and Structural and Agricultural Engineering. Each branch of engineering is unique and requires diverse skills.
To be a successful Engineer, you must possess or develop certain qualities. You must be very good at Science and Mathematics. Many of the best engineers are great communicators who think creatively and independently. Engineers are passionate about making a difference in the world and eager to make a positive effect in everyday life.
Do you occasionally test the density of your walls? Find yourself dismantling and then rebuilding gadgets, cars or computers in your spare time? Often times envision how you would design and create a wetland or reroute a stream channel? Frustrated with today's scientific and healthcare technology but have an idea for tomorrow? These are signs that you would make a very good engineer.
According to The Wall Street Journal, although there are other fields, the areas of engineering that are growing, well paying and offer plenty of opportunity for advancement includes the following:
Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering, one of the oldest disciplines within the profession deals involves designing and creating infrastructure such as roads and bridges as well as energy and water systems. The starting average pay is for a Civil Engineer is about RM27,270 a year, according to PayScale.com. But in order to advance in both pay and promotion, specific certifications like the EIT (engineer-in-training) and the PE (professional engineer) are necessary.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineers design and analyze objects and systems with motion. Anything that moves and must be manufactured to do so falls into the field of mechanical engineering. A thorough understanding of physics is a good baseline. Mechanical and electrical engineering often bleed together or work hand-in-hand so it's a good idea to take a couple of electrical classes while in school. It takes a strong work ethic and a sound knowledge of Physics and Math to be a Mechanical Engineer. Once you get in, your entry-level average starting pay will be RM25,953 a year, according to PayScale.com.
Environmental Engineering
This discipline considers man's impact on nature and often works to restore areas that have been impacted by over-development or significant environmental disasters like earthquakes, or hurricanes. Working primarily with air, water and land resources, according to several recruiters, environmental engineering is the most sought-after and recruited field this year with a starting pay of RM23,636 - according to PayScale.com.
Biomedical Engineering
As an emerging field, Biomedical Engineering takes traditional engineering expertise and applies it to Biology and Medicine. Working in conjunction with doctors, therapists and technicians, biomedical engineers design instruments, devices and software. You may be called upon to test a diagnostic device or review data while developing a product. Because this field is rising as more complex technology is being created, the possibilities are largely unexplored, with an average starting pay around RM31,900, according to PayScale.com. Researching and developing products or medical devices, it's almost a certainty that you will be studying on your time off to understand your superiors' projects, which could deal with pieces of equipment that go into a laboratory and the molecular diagnostics market.
