Why Study Engineering

What is Engineering?

I know when I was a kid when everyone someone mentioned engineering, I thought robots, the people that make computers work, the people that control trains? Growing up in the Caribbean, I had never met anyone where their profession was engineering; it simply was not a thing. Despite the lack of representation, there was something about understanding how technology worked that intrigued me. I wanted to understand why my computer worked. I wanted to understand how these brilliant people built the technology of the world and could I join them? Unfortunately, I had no one around me to really understand what engineering was because it is a BIG field. I hope in this article to clear some of the mystery around engineering and what it means to be an engineer, and as a result, inspire some of you to take on a career in engineering.

So what is engineering? Engineering is the application of math and science to solve global problems, especially engineers are problem solvers. As a result, engineering requires a fundamental knowledge of mathematics and science. Engineers design, invent, build, analyze, and test systems to meet an overall objective or requirement. For those that may not know, I am an electrical engineer, but that is just 1 type of engineering. At my university, the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, the College of Engineering has approximately 14 engineering departments. Each type of engineering solves a subset of global problems; however, they work together to create the technology we use in our everyday life.

Aerospace Engineering:

Aerospace engineers have a great understanding of ethics and safety related to aerospace systems along with conceptual information like aerodynamics, materials, structures, propulsion, flight mechanics, orbital mechanics, software, and dynamics and control; they utilize this knowledge to design aerospace systems (e.g. spacecrafts, satellites, etc.) In addition, aerospace engineers are equipped with the knowledge to conduct laboratory techniques and experiments related to aerospace. Aerospace engineers can work for large aeronautical companies like NASA, SpaceX, Boeing, Airbus, and JPL or meteorological organizations like NOAA. On average, aerospace engineers make $55/hour, which is equivalent to $115,000/year*.

Biomedical Engineering:

Biomedical engineers have a great understanding of the cross between technology and biology and the ethics and processes involved in that relationship. Biomedical engineers learn concepts like biological, organic chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, signal processing, modeling of biological systems, and more. Biomedical engineers build biomedical devices like pacemakers and prosthetic limbs as well as work on our understanding of various biological systems and the integration of technology (for example, deep brain stimulation as treatments for various diseases). Biomedical engineers can go on to medical school; however, they can also work for large biomedical companies like EPIC, Pfizer, GE Healthcare, and more. On average, biomedical engineers make $42.57/hour, which is equivalent to $88,550/year*.

Chemical Engineering:

Chemical engineers have the ability to apply engineering design procedures to create solutions for public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors; this can be translated into the design and manufacturing of chemical processes that are used in foods, pharmaceutical drugs, fuel, fertilizers, and other products. Chemical engineers can work for large biotechnological and pharmaceutical companies (e.g. Pfizer) , petroleum companies (e.g. BP) and more (e.g. Goodyear). On average, chemical engineers make $50.44/hour, which is equivalent to $104,910/year*.

Civil and Environmental Engineering:

Civil and environmental engineers have a great understanding of the design, construction, and operation of urban systems and their impact on the surrounding ecosystem; many environmental engineers work closely with large companies to monitor or improve processes to minimize their impact on the environment; they can also work with large environmental organizations like EPA to monitor environmental systems (e.g. climate, environmental conservation, and more). Civil engineers may work for private companies or with government agencies to regulate the urban systems (e.g. bridges, roadways, architecture projects, etc.) to optimize urban planning. On average, civil engineers make $41.65/hour, which is equivalent to $86,640/year*. On average, environmental engineers make $42.13/hour, which is equivalent to $87,620/year*.

Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering:

Climate and space science engineers tackle problems related to space engineering, climate, meteorology, space science research and teaching, environmental assessment, resource management, risk management. This field is one that focuses heavily on climate change as they are skilled in climate and meteorological modeling, which have mapped the environmental changes of the planet due to pollution and other forms of human activity. In recent years due to rapid climate change, these types of engineers are vital in broadcasting the impact of human activity on the planet and coming up with solutions to reduce our impact. On average, climate and space science engineers make $42.13/hour, which is equivalent to $87,620/year*.

Computer Science and Engineering:

Computer scientist and computer engineering are very popular engineering programs as software companies have dominated the technological sector in recent years completely transforming how we work. Computer scientists primarily work in software development and deployment, so they tackle global issues from the way we mange financial information to how we write documents by creating software solutions. Computer engineers not only write software but also work the hardware and firmware side of computer systems. They manage issues like data storage to developing operating systems. Computer science and computer engineers can find work in every sector from agriculture to finance as the world becomes more digital. On average, computer scientists make $50.77/hour, which is equivalent to $105,590/year*. On average, computer engineer make $55.10/hour, which is equivalent to $114,660/year*.

Electrical Engineering:

Electrical engineers like computer science engineers and computer engineers can develop software and firmware solutions to a variety of problems; however, unlike them, electrical engineers can work on hardware solutions, optical systems, data systems, signal processing, analog and digital systems, sensor technology, biomedical devices, mechanical systems and more. Electrical engineers have a fundamental understanding of the physics behind electromagnetic waves, circuit design, analyzing and designing electrical systems, and more. Because of their versatility, electrical engineers can also be found in every sector, working for companies like Microsoft, Tesla, SpaceX, Intel, Whirlpool, P&G, Nikon, T-Mobile and more. On average, electrical engineer make $47.63/hour, which is equivalent to $99,070/year*.

Industrial and Operations Engineering/Systems Engineering:

Industrial and operations engineers have the ability to manage, analyze, and optimize systems; they bring together psychology, engineering, and business. IO engineers can improve manufacturing lines, optimize business processes to increase profits, and more. Often IO engineers act as technological consultants for large companies both inside and outside of the technological sector. In addition, IO engineers can work as project managers for technological companies, working with clients and engineers to bring to market new innovative technologies. IO engineers work for companies like Deloitte, Danaher, Accenture, and more. On average, IO engineers make $41.84/hour, which is equivalent to $87,040/year*.

Materials Science and Engineering:

Materials scientists and engineers are skilled at the development, characterization, processing and use of various materials (e.g. metallic, ceramic, polymeric and electronic materials), which are utilized in various fields. Unlike chemical engineers that work on processes, material engineers manufacture new materials like stain-proof fabrics, nanomaterials, and more. These materials can be used in biomedical devices to make it more biocompatible, in food production for sanitation and preservation, mechanical systems for appearance or to increase part longevity and more. On average, material science engineers make $44.42/hour, which is equivalent to $92,390/year*.

Mechanical Engineering:

Mechanical engineers are skilled at analyzing, designing, and manufacturing mechanical systems through the understanding of fluid, aero, and thermo-dynamics, material strength, fabrication, and more. Mechanical engineers build machines as large as aircrafts to as small as your microwave, while analyzing mechanical systems to find weakness for improvement and optimization. Mechanical engineers work many industries like biomedical companies as well as automotive companies. On average, mechanical engineers make $42/hour, which is equivalent to $87,370/year*.

Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering:

Naval architects and marine engineers have a depth of knowledge surrounding the design, engineering, manufacturing, life cycle of marine vehicles, structures, and systems. Naval architects and marine engineers build large naval battleships and submarines but also smaller yachts and sail boats. Naval architects and marine engineers like mechanical engineers require a strong understanding of fluid, and thermo-dynamics, material strength, fabrication, and more. On average, mechanical engineers make $44.50/hour, which is equivalent to $92,560/year*.

Nuclear Engineering:

Nuclear engineers are skilled at analyzing, designing, and developing processes, equipment and systems to harness nuclear energy and radiation for the use in other fields. Nuclear engineers use nuclear radiation as an alternate source of energy compared to fossil fuels as well as utilize nuclear radiation as part of medical treatments for various cancers. Nuclear engineers also manage the safety and ethics for harnessing nuclear energy as well as managing nuclear waste generated from nuclear energy. On average, mechanical engineers make $51.73/hour, which is equivalent to $107,600/year*.

Engineering is for EVERYONE. It is more important today than ever for engineering to be composed of a diverse group of people, each with their unique perspective to work together to solve the world’s problems. Everyone has a place at the table. The technology of the future needs a global perspective in its development. Without this, technology gets build blind to certain groups due to ignorance. The Caribbean needs its own army of engineers to solve our unique problems. We as a region as digitally illiterate due to the lack of experts in these fields. We are not taking advantage of all the amazing tools currently available to take our region to the NEXT level. Engineers can work in the data management for the region, protection of our fragile ecosystems, create hurricane monitoring systems to protect our people, build applications unique to our cultural needs and services, help us connect with other countries, help us understand the needs and growth patterns of our region, help in agriculture distribution throughout the region, and more. Imagine if we built our own planes, our own data centers, our own unified data network. It would be incredible.

If you are interested in getting matched with a current Caribbean engineering student abroad or need help strengthening your math skills, reach out to us at info@empoweru.online.

*Salary Source Information Taken from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics