Many students wonder whether or not they should study engineering at undergraduate level. If you are about to start applying for college and aren’t sure which major to choose, there are several great reasons to consider engineering. Not only are there several different interesting branches of engineering that you can choose from, this subject is highly respected, graduates are always sought after, and it can lead to opportunities in a wide range of fields both inside and outside of the engineering sector. We’ve put together some of the best reasons to consider taking your college degree in engineering.
#1. Prestige:
Firstly, consider the prestige that comes with studying for your degree in engineering. It’s one of those subjects that makes people think ‘wow’, because everyone knows just how much hard work and effort you will have needed to put in to graduate. And, it’s because of this that engineering graduates are highly sought after in several industries including construction, manufacturing, quality control, IT, electronics, and many more. Many people will have a natural element of respect for engineering graduates, simply because of the sacrifices that you will have made to achieve what you have.
#2. Be Set for Professional Success:
When you study for a degree in engineering, it helps to develop your entire thought process. You will learn how to think like an engineer and have the opportunity to both acquire and fine-tune your critical analysis and logical thinking skills. And, your decision-making skills will be greatly improved, allowing you to become more objective when it comes to work and make better decisions on the spot. All of these skills will help you be your best as a professional, in any sector that you choose to work in.
#3. Enjoy Financial Security:
Engineering graduates are highly sought after all around the world, so you can expect to enjoy financial security when you become an engineer. Whether you decide to work in the engineering sector or do something else, you can be sure that the knowledge, skills and professional expertise that you have gained during your college degree will ensure that you are financially secure for the rest of your career. The best part about graduating with an engineering degree is that even when it’s difficult for you to find a job in the engineering sector, you can easily find employment elsewhere in a wide range of other industries.
#4. Never Stop Learning:
If you are a lifelong learner and enjoy expanding your knowledge and skills as much as possible, then a career as an engineer could be the perfect opportunity for you. When you graduate with a degree in engineering, there’s not only the option for you to find employment that helps you to improve your knowledge and skills, but also the chance to branch out and learn more about other areas of engineering. For example, if you have gotten your degree in chemical or electronic engineering, you may wish to expand your knowledge by taking an online civil engineering master’s degree, so that you can combine what you’ve learned from both programs to become better at your job or put yourself in a position where there are even more engineering opportunities open to you.
#5. Be Ready to Face Any Problem:
Being an engineer might not solve every single problem that you come across in your life. But, the skill-set that you will develop when studying for your degree in engineering will certainly improve your ability to deal with problems and solve them. Whether it’s in your professional life, or even your personal life, gaining a degree in engineering will provide you with the skills and confidence that you need to deal with any kind of problem, no matter how big or small. You’ll know exactly how to go about dealing with almost every problem that you will encounter and may even begin to see problems in life as challenges that present you with an opportunity to grow.
#6. Make a Real Difference in the World:
Many people think that careers where you can make a real difference in the world only extend to those in healthcare or working with people directly, but that isn’t always the case. In fact, as an engineer, much of the work that you do will affect the people of the world directly and can make a massive impact. And, there are many organizations such as charities, the army, healthcare and more who need engineers to work for them on a regular basis, whether it’s coming up with new equipment to help people, constructing hospitals and clinics, or making dangerous areas safe.
#7. Sense of Pride:
Last but not least, the sense of pride that you can get from working as an engineer is second to none. Imagine the feeling after a big project, when you can look at the finished result and say with confidence and pride, ‘I built that bridge’. You get a wonderful feeling when you know that you are really able to contribute something amazing and meaningful to society when working as an engineer. Whether you’re working in the construction industry, manufacturing everyday products, working with electronics, or something else, almost everything that you do as an engineer can be used by others and will have a positive impact on lives in some way. It’s no surprise that if you ask any engineer about what they do, you will feel a sense of pride from them immediately when they talk about their work. After all, the world would not be the same without it!
Engineering is a tough subject, and you’ll need to be committed to all the hard work and sacrifice that’s required to earn your engineering degree. Whether you want to pursue a career as a civil, electronic, chemical, computer or even an aeronautical engineer, you can be sure that this career path comes with several benefits and a massive sense of pride in your work.
Why would you like to choose a career as an engineer? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.
Photo by Drew Patrick Miller on Unsplash
