What Is Engineering?
Engineering incorporates research, science, and extensive mathematics to solve problems and design solutions. Engineers may use their analytical and problem-solving skills to create efficient processes and products. They may build bridges and buildings, test and refine products, or develop solutions to environmental problems.
Some engineers spend their days trying to improve upon the human condition. Others spend their time seeking to improve the nation's defense strategies or design the latest pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities.
Because of the many disciplines and subfields in engineering, engineers work in almost every industry. You can find these professionals in manufacturing, architecture, healthcare, petroleum, and renewable energy. They may work for government agencies like NASA, tech powerhouses like Google, and aerospace companies like Boeing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Engineering
For creative, analytical individuals with a firm grasp of mathematics and science, becoming an engineer can offer a rewarding and lucrative career. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), of the over 56.8 million people employed with a bachelor's degree in 2019, over 4.7 million held engineering degrees. The median annual wage for these individuals came to about $93,000.
The New York Federal Reserve's February 2022 study on salaries for college graduates found 9 out of the top 10 majors with the highest earnings were engineering majors. Computer engineering came in number one with an early career median wage of $74,000.