If you have a genuine interest in solving problems, thinking outside the box and designing new products, then engineering might be for you. As you start your engineering journey, know that it will require a considerable amount of time, hard work and dedication. This field of study can be challenging, but it can also be highly rewarding.
Speaking of rewarding, engineers are highly sought after. Engineering and architecture occupations are some of the fastest-growing fields — they’re expected to have about 195,000 openings annually between 2023 and 2033.
Engineering has many specialties — from aerospace to software engineering. However, regardless of your field of interest, each requires a strong foundation in engineering basics. So, here’s what to study to become an engineer.
What Degrees Do You Need to Be an Engineer?
To become an engineer in the U.S., you’ll need to successfully complete a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. However, an associate degree can help aspiring engineers complete general education requirements to prepare themselves for the next step in their studies. It’s the perfect option for those starting out or considering a career change.
At Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC), we offer an Engineering Physics Associate Degree, which can lead you to various exciting career opportunities. This associate degree provides high-quality and robust instruction at an affordable price.
Our engineering associate degree can also be used as a stepping stone to further your studies. Use it to transfer to a four-year college or university — this is a great way to save money and time.
The engineering field is broad. You must pursue a degree that focuses on the work you want to do one day, from chemical to civil engineering. Some specialties can require you to complete a master’s degree.
A master’s degree will help hone your expertise in a specific field of engineering. While this degree level is not required, it may be advantageous in certain engineering fields to help you stand out from the crowd.
What Undergraduate Programs Are Best for Engineers?
With so many different disciplines in engineering, it’s hard to say which is the best undergraduate program. Let’s discuss some of the most common types of engineering to help you decide which is best for you.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical engineers study and apply the principles of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. They seek to understand how electricity works and use this knowledge for engineering applications.
With an electrical engineering bachelor’s degree, you can further specialize in:
- Electromagnetic compatibility(EMC) engineering
- Electrical design engineering
- Systems engineering
- Communications engineering
Most electrical engineering jobs only require a bachelor’s degree — however, some employers may require a master’s degree.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering is the study of how things work and how to design, build and maintain mechanical systems. It’s one of the broadest engineering disciplines, and mechanical engineers work on various products and systems from medical devices to elevators to airplanes. They’ll also be responsible for testing and deploying their products, which can range from machinery to equipment and everything that requires moving parts to operate.
You can further specialize in the following:
- Aerospace engineering
- Automotive engineering
- Marine engineering
Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineering is a field that combines the principles of chemistry, physics, math and biology to design and develop processes for manufacturing products. Chemical engineers work to ensure that products are made safely, efficiently and sustainably. As a chemical engineer, you’ll develop products with complex chemical components required in the food, drug and fuel industries.
This degree can help you specialize in the following fields:
- Biochemical engineering
- Pharmaceutical engineering
- Textile engineering
- Sustainability engineering
Civil Engineering
Infrastructure is the foundation of civil engineering. With this degree, you’ll help plan, design, develop and implement building and infrastructure projects — from airports and roads to bridges and tunnels. With this degree, you’ll learn how to solve problems through structural, geotechnical and transportation solutions.
With a civil engineering bachelor’s degree, you can further specialize in:
- Environmental engineering
- Structural engineering
- Transportation engineering
Civil engineering is also a field in which a master’s degree may help you stand out in a competitive job market.
Industrial Engineering
Help develop and implement strategies to increase manufacturing plants’ complex systems with an industrial engineering degree. You’ll have to consider the workers, machines, energy and information as each interacts with the other.
You can further specialize in the following with an industrial engineering degree:
- Manufacturing engineering
- Supply chain engineering
- Quality systems engineering
What Certifications Do Engineers Need?
There is more to engineering than a degree, there are specific certifications and tests to consider. But what tests do engineers have to take? What licenses do engineers need?
Licensure and Exams
In the United States, engineers must be licensed before practicing and providing services. While each state has different licensure requirements, licensees will have to follow a few basic prerequisites to obtain a license in each state.
These fundamental prerequisites include:
- Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET): A four-year engineering degree from an ABET-accredited college or university program.
- Fundamentals of Engineering (FE): The FE is a written exam that tests your understanding of basic engineering principles. Some exams may also test specific elements of an engineering specialty.
- Principles and Practice in Engineering (PE): The PE exam tests your knowledge and skills in a specific engineering discipline. This exam also tests your understanding of engineering ethics.
- Engineer-in-Training (EIT): After passing the FE exam, most states will also require you to complete an EIT certificate. Some states require an annual renewal for this certificate. Explore your state’s website for more information about their EIT certificates.
Additionally, licensees must accumulate at least four years of engineering experience, typically under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer.
Additional Requirements
Depending on your state, it may have additional requirements that go beyond the basic prerequisites. These requirements may include the following:
- Your duration of state residency
- Your duration of training or internship
- A reference from a licensed engineer
- A specific amount of experience
- Other jurisdiction-specific exams other than the FE and PE
Continuing Education Requirements
Most jurisdictions in the U.S. will require licensed engineers to earn a set amount of continuing education credits (CEUs) before their license renewal date. Again, the CEU requirements depend on the state licensing board.
CEUs can be obtained through various educational events, such as:
- Classes
- Conferences
- Courses
- Seminars
- Webinars
- Workshops
Other Helpful Subjects and Courses
There are different subjects and courses that can help enrich your engineering career in numerous ways. Consider focusing on the following subjects depending on your area of interest:
- Biology
- Calculus
- Chemistry
- Circuits
- Electronics
- Economics
- Geology
- Algebra
- Materials
- Physics
- Programming
- Statistics
- Thermodynamics
Start Your Engineering Journey at MWCC
Are you ready to kick-start your career in engineering? MWCC’s Engineering Physics Associate Degree offers a quality education at an affordable price.
Our associate degree boasts a robust curriculum with project-based learning to help you develop the necessary skills to prepare you for a successful engineering career.
If you’re ready to develop foundational engineering skills, apply online at MWCC today! For further information, send us a request, and we’ll get back to you.