Engineering Career Description
Engineering can be described as the harnessing of the materials and forces of nature through scientific knowledge and information to produce goods and services which people use and need to improve their living standards, welfare and safety.
What am I going to do in this occupation?
Engineers are expected to use the energy and materials of nature innovatively to enhance the life of humans and to find solutions to problems. Engineers use their knowledge of science to improve and to protect the environment by designing and constructing buildings, developing new processes, tools, machinery and a wide variety of equipment such as engines, electronic circuits, chemical and power plants, roads and bridges, dams and canals, to name but a few. The economy and growth of any country relies heavily on the number and skill of its engineers.
Engineering covers a wide range of skills and knowledge and this necessitates specialisation. Most people are familiar with the chemical, electrical, mechanical, civil and mining engineering disciplines, but there are others such as geological, industrial, metallurgical and minerals processing, that require additional specialised training and education.
Engineers' work is very varied and depends on their field of expertise, the nature of the training they received, their personal preferences and talents and their experience. Whichever field of engineering they are
involved in, engineers' duties are likely to include one or more of the following: production, design, research and development, construction, maintenance, planning, evaluation, operation and management.
Rapid developments in the field of engineering over the past few years make it almost impossible for an engineer to know everything about engineering in general, so they have to specialise in one particular field. Technicians and artisans also specialise and engineers work closely with them and rely on their skills and knowledge.
Requirements
What kind of personality do I need?
Most engineers move into management positions as they gain experience. They must therefore be able to handle financial matters such as budgeting and cost control. They must also have the ability to work with people, to lead and motivate them. They need to be flexible and have a problem-solving attitude towards their work.
To be successful, prospective engineers must have the ability to solve problems on their own. They must have a great deal of self-discipline and do their work to the best of their capabilities.
Where can I work?
After the initial period of post-graduate training, engineers will continue to receive training in technical and managerial skills to prepare them for promotion to more senior positions. For young people with ability and determination there is every opportunity to gain the necessary skills and competence for rapid promotion to managerial positions along well defined career paths.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
Many engineers have their own consulting or construction companies. A number of universities offer a five-year engineering academic development programme designed for persons from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds.
Before deciding on a career in engineering, you must be sure that you have the necessary skills and the ability to become an engineer and that this job appeals to you. If so, engineering is a rewarding and challenging career.
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