How to Choose the Right Engineering Program

Aerospace engineers design aircraft and spacecraft — work that people colloquially refer to as "rocket science." These aeronautical and astronautical engineers study elements of air and spacecraft design, including radar systems engineering, astrodynamics, and control engineering.

Biomedical engineers apply engineering principles and concepts to developing medicine and biology-related healthcare products. A biomedical engineer might help advance biocompatible prosthetic technology to replace missing limbs and body parts, develop diagnostic medical imaging tools such as MRIs, or design technology to manipulate genetic material.

Chemical engineers deal with chemical production and the use of chemical processes in manufacturing. Their work can include making plastics and resins, developing nanomaterials, or even nuclear engineering, depending on whether they work in industrial manufacturing or developing new products. They can also work as supervisors in offices, laboratories, and industrial settings.

Civil engineers design physically built infrastructure, such as bridges, sanitation systems, and roads. Many modern civil engineering degrees now include sustainable civil engineering as part of their curricula, which mitigates negative effects on the environment while still providing for human needs.

Industrial engineers design, create, and implement systems that allow modern manufacturing to function efficiently and safely. These engineers optimize processes to create new products through strategies like statistical analysis, quality control, and computer simulation.

Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest areas within engineering. It involves overseeing the moving parts that make up various products, machines, and systems to occupy, using engineering, physics, and mathematical principles to design, test, and analyze various components. Because it is such a broad field, mechanical engineers can find work in nearly any industry — especially manufacturing and construction.

Petroleum engineers leverage engineering principles and design concepts to benefit oil and natural gas industries, whether by designing new technologies for extracting fossil fuels from the Earth or making drilling in older wells more efficient. In modern times, these engineers can also find work with environmental oversight agencies, helping regulate and mitigate the environmental effects of the oil industry.

Software engineers help develop computer programs, systems, and applications. These can include creating desktop and mobile applications, games, and network systems. These engineers usually work in offices or from home, using programming languages, databases, and organizational frameworks to create and test new products.

Engineering is a challenging field, regardless of specialization, which is why some people choose it. If you have a strong aptitude for math and the hard sciences and like to be challenged in your work, engineering could be the right career choice for you.

Different engineering degrees fit the interests and aptitudes of different learners. For example, if you like computer-related work, then a software engineering degree will be the most useful for you. However, different types of engineers experience different levels of demand in various states. Look up career options local to you before choosing a specialization.

A strong engineering program is offered by a regionally accredited university and is itself programmatically accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Good schools also maintain positive reputations among employers and professional organizations within the engineering field.

Salaries vary by specialty and location, but engineers tend to make a comfortable living. For example, PayScale reports that mechanical engineers make $54,000 annually at the 10th percentile and $99,000 annually at the 90th.

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicate that the highest paying types of engineering careers include petroleum, aerospace, and chemical engineering. These jobs pay median salaries of well over $100,000.