About This Lesson
If you decide to pursue a career as an engineer, you will use your knowledge of mathematical and scientific principles to solve an array of technical issues. In this career, you work in several disciplines, which include petroleum, electrical, mechanical, chemical, environmental, and civil engineering.
Are you interested in learning about how to become an engineer and discovering what things like motor control center mean? If so, keep reading to learn everything you need to know about pursuing a career as an electrical engineer.
Do You Have the Needed Skills?
If you want to work in a branch of engineering, you must have good science and math skills. Make sure that you take and do well in as many of your high school classes as possible. The ones to focus on include calculus, pre-calculus, trigonometry, geometry, algebra, biology, physics, and chemistry. These will provide you with a foundation for the advanced courses you must take while in college to pursue a career in this field.
Along with having a strong background in math and science, there are some soft skills that will let you achieve success in this occupation. For example, you should have good problem-solving skills. It also means that you must be able to identify problems and find possible solutions. With good critical thinking skills, you can evaluate the issues you are facing to make sure everything works right. It is also necessary to have the skills to work on a team, being able to solve problems along with your colleagues. Having good speaking and listening skills is also necessary.
The Necessary Education
If you want to work as an engineer, you need to have a bachelor’s degree from a college engineering program and major in the branch you would like to work in. When you are trying to decide where to study, you may choose either an accredited or an unaccredited program, but it will usually be in your best interest to opt for an accredited option. When you find a program that meets these standards, you can feel confident that you will be able to get the licensing needed upon graduation and that you will seem reputable by potential employers.
What to Do After Graduation
If you decide to offer your engineering services to the public, you need a license to do this. Once you are licensed, you are referred to as a Professional Engineer – PE. In the U.S., each state will issue these licenses. You can learn more about the specifics of the licensing requirements in the state where you want to work.
Getting Your First Job
It is important to learn what qualities employers of engineers are looking for. Finding the right job is going to take time and effort, but it is something you can do with a bit of perseverance. When you are looking for employment, make sure that you have strong organizational and management skills and that these shine through in your resume and interview.
When you begin searching for a job, it is a good idea to use all the resources that are “out there.” In many cases, the college where you attended classes will help you with the job search. These will help to point you in the right direction and help you learn about the various job opportunities that are available. By knowing what to do and how to find the right job for your needs, you will be in a good position to pursue the career that you really want and that you have worked so hard to achieve through the years of training and schooling.
Working in this field can be challenging, but it can also be rewarding. The key is for a person to know whether this is something that is right for them. Being informed and knowing what to consider is the best way to ensure that the desired results are achieved and that you get the job and career that you really want.