At its core, engineering is about identifying problems and creating processes to solve them. Engineers are needed in various industries to help design, create, and implement solutions. There are seemingly endless opportunities for well-qualified engineers, from roads and bridges to nuclear power plants. However, to become a successful engineer, you have to invest in growing your knowledge and skills. An engineering degree is the best way to invest in your future.
If you are interested in reaching for career goals while also getting an education, enrolling in an online program could be the perfect solution. An online electrical engineering masters degree, for example, will allow you to continue working while also pursuing your goals of becoming a better electrical engineer. Let’s take a look at some reasons to study engineering.
1. Career Options
Engineering is a broad area of study that will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to work in various areas. An engineer can find success in any industry where workers need to engineer a solution to a problem. From designing robots and building energy-efficient cars to creating faster and scarier amusement park rides and improving how movies are made, engineering fits into many categories. Once you are armed with a mechanical engineering degree, many career choices and opportunities will be opened up. With a specialty like electrical engineering or civil engineering, you will become an expert in a certain field. With the flexibility and broad stroke of an engineering degree, you can go just about anywhere.
2. Earning Potential
Today, engineers across various disciplines have a median annual wage of over $91,000. Some specialty engineers can have much higher salaries. While there is a wide range of engineering jobs and associated salaries, there are numerous opportunities to earn a six-figure income. As with most positions, however, your level of knowledge and education will move you up the salary ladder. While entry-level engineers must have a bachelor’s degree, getting your master’s degree in engineering can significantly increase your earning potential.
3. Knowledge and Skills
Like many other degree programs, a Master of Engineering degree will provide you with knowledge and skills beyond the coursework. You will improve your “hard skills” like programming, math, or scientific methods with a degree. However, an engineering program will also equip you with “soft skills” like communication and problem solving that will take you beyond your career goals. You will have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to deal with any kind of problem. An engineering degree will make you a better engineer and give you the ability to meet many challenges and grow.
4. Impact
In addition to intellectual accomplishments, an engineering degree will allow you to make a lasting impact in your community. As an example, in 2013, engineers developed a system to improve earthquake forecasting. Today, this technology is deployed in high-risk areas and is working to save lives and prevent major devastation. This demonstrates the power behind an engineering degree and the impact you could make on human lives. From designing safer bridges to improving the reliability of the power grid, engineers have the power to make improvements around the world.
5. High Demand
Choosing an engineering degree opens up a wide range of job opportunities and places you in an area with high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor estimates that at least 139,000 new engineering jobs will be created by 2026. This increase in opportunities means that there will be significant demand for qualified engineers. There are a few career paths that can lead to areas with high demand; however, engineering is an area projected to have demand well above many others. Once you earn an engineering degree, you will have your choice of excellent job opportunities.
An engineering degree can open up new opportunities and career goals. From expanding your career and earning options to expanding your knowledge, skills, and impact, there are many reasons to consider studying engineering.
