What is Engineering?

Engineering Week 2011

What is engineering?
According to Websters Dictionary:

Engineers apply math and science for the betterment of society through:

Engineering
The application of math and science by which the properties of matter and the sources of energy in nature are made useful to people.

Design

Manufacturing

Research & Development

Management

Continual Improvement

Logistics

Above all, engineers are problem solvers who make things work better, more efficiently, quicker and cheaper.

Salary Comparisons
Career
Fast Food Cook Cosmetologist Auto Mechanic Realtor Reporter

*Average salaries from May 2009, Bureau of Labor Statistics Website **Factor is average salary / years of college

College (years)
0 0 0 0 4

Average Salary*
$18,230 $27,070 $37,880 $53,100 $43,270

Hourly Rate
$8.76/hr $13.02/hr $18.21/hr $25.53/hr $20.80/hr

Factor (thousands)**
11

Physical Therapist
Chemist Veterinarian Accountant Registered Nurse Pharmacist Computer Programmer Computer Engineer Mechanical Engineer

8
4 8 4 4 6 4 4 4

$76,220
$72,740 $90,110 $67,430 $66,530 $106,630 $74,690 $91,540 $80,580

$36.64/hr
$34.97/hr $43.32/hr $32.42/hr $31.99/hr $51.27/hr $35.91/hr $44.01/hr $38.74/hr

9
22 11 16 16 17 18 22 20 Higher Factor Is Better!

Electrical Engineer
Civil Engineer Chemical Engineer Petroleum Engineer Medical Doctor Lawyer

4
4 4 4 10 6

$86,250
$81,180 $91,670 $119,960 $168,550 $129,020

$41.47/hr
$39.03/hr $44.07/hr $57.67/hr $81.03/hr $62.03/hr

21
20 22 30 16 21

Earning Potential vs. Minimum Wage

105,000 95,000 85,000 75,000 65,000 55,000 45,000 35,000 25,000 15,000
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

B.S. (Engineering) M.S. (Engineering) Ph.D. (Engineering) HS (min. wage)

Years AFTER H.S. Graduation (based on 1998 salary data)

Engineers have high earning potentials over the course of their career. Since 2000, engineering salaries have increased by ~35%.

Engineering Disciplines
Major Disciplines
Mechanical Electrical Chemical Civil Industrial

Other Disciplines
Automotive Aerospace Agricultural Biomedical Computer Environmental Materials Nuclear Robotics Safety

Mechanical Engineering
Concerned with design, manufacture & operation of a wide range of components, devices, or systems:
microscopic parts (nanotechnology) to gigantic gears heating, ventilation, refrigeration manufacturing equipment (tanks, motors, pumps) laser technology biomedical applications automotive industry computer-aided design, automation, robotics

Broadest of all the engineering disciplines in its range of activities

Chemical Engineering
Gasoline Plastic Energy (natural gas, oil heating, coal) Adhesives Clothing Building Materials

Applying chemistry to the solution of practical problems

Electrical Engineering
Play a role in almost everything we interact with on a daily basis. They design smaller, cheaper, and better: cell phones computers power systems appliances robots

Apply specialized skill to the design, manufacture, application, installation, and operation of electrical products and systems.

Civil Engineering
Create solutions to cope with:
air quality issues decaying cities, roadways and bridges clogged airports and highways polluted streams, rivers and lakes

Design solutions to cope with many of our planets most serious problems.

Industrial Engineering
Design data processing systems Integrate activities of finance, engineering and management Develop systems for planning, cost analysis, production and quality of products

Stresses design, improvement, and installation of integrated systems of people, material, and equipment for the effective production of goods or services in all types of industries

Good Traits for Engineers

Enjoy solving problems Like working with other people (strong teamwork skills) Interested in serving human needs Want to make things work better Strive for continual improvement Able to adapt to a changing environment Good communication skills Strong study skills Desire to constantly learn new things Data analysis skills Strong computer skills

College Entrance Requirements

Required

Algebra I & II
Trigonometry Physics Computer Programming

Geometry
Calculus Chemistry Social Studies

Foreign Languages
Highly Recommended Not Required AP Chemistry AP Calculus

Fine Arts/Humanities

AP Physics AP Biology

Any Advanced Placement classes really help prepare you for college and in most cases drastically help lighten your load.

College Advice

The next 2-3 years in high school and especially the following 4-8 years in college drastically impact the quality of your adult life!!!

Cooperative Education
Typically a five year program with alternating periods of book learning (school) and application (work, typically in industry).
Year Fall Spring Summer

1
2 3 4 5

School
Work School Work School

School
Work School Work School

School
Work School Work School

Benefits of a Cooperative Education Pay for your college education ($36,000/YR or more) Gain valuable experience, real engineering work Increase your market value at graduation (considerably) Usually assures job offer from co-op company Offers well deserved and beneficial break from school!

Summary
Engineers have been involved in almost everything you see, touch, or rely upon

Engineering can be an exciting career full of opportunities

Job market is generally good

Pay and benefits are among the top for the level of education

Opportunities for leadership, global travel, and benefiting humankind abound

An engineering degree can open many doors to careers in other exciting areas such as medicine, law, business administration, PhD (research, teaching, etc.)