Choosing the Right Engineering Program

To choose the right engineering school, you should first prioritize the programs that offer specializations that align with your personal and professional interests. Engineering encompasses a range of industries, so narrowing your research by specialization ensures you choose a program that will meet your needs. When choosing a specialization, remember to consider the work environments where you feel most comfortable. For example, if you find working in a laboratory interesting, you can pursue a bioengineering degree. If you can see yourself working in a factory, an industrial engineering degree may be a better fit.

While engineering roles are generally lucrative, some areas pay more than others. For instance, BLS data shows that the median salary for petroleum engineers reached $137,720 in 2019 — $50,000 more than that for civil engineers. Given the choice between two careers that interest you, comparing entry-level pay rates may influence your decision.

You should only consider engineering programs with ABET accreditation. Programmatic accreditation ensures that programs meet global educational standards within specific professional fields. Many employers require job candidates to have graduated from schools with ABET accreditation, and many financial aid resources will only support students at regionally accredited schools.

It's important to explore the curriculum of any prospective school before applying. Curricula for engineering programs can vary widely in terms of core topics, electives, and practicum elements. Make sure that the program covers topics that interest you and will help you excel in your chosen specialty after graduation.

Give careful consideration to an engineering program's reputation. A good way to do this is to check the professional reputations of the professors teaching the program. Quality engineering professors were often at the forefront of their field before switching to careers in education, and they usually have degrees beyond a simple bachelor's degree. Researching notable alumni can also lend insight into a program's quality. Choosing a program with a healthy reputation can greatly boost your chances in the job market upon graduation. It also increases the chances that you will find brilliant and inspiring people to network with while still in school.

Many schools — like MIT, for example — partner with well-known corporations and institutions to offer their students internships with industry leaders. Find a program that has offerings like this and take advantage of them. Scoring an internship with a well-regarded company can greatly aid you in your job search after graduation — or even lead to a paid position working for the company where you interned.

If you aren't studying online, location probably plays a major role in your program choice. In addition to considering a school's proximity to you, consider its proximity to potential future employers. Engineering schools often have networking connections with local businesses; for instance, if software engineering interests you, you might want to pick a program located within a bustling tech hub, like San Francisco, Seattle, or Houston. That way, you can build local business connections before you graduate