There are various branches of engineering, including:
Aerospace and defence - working with aircraft and space technology
Automotive - cars, trucks and the systems they rely on:
- Chemical and materials engineering - using our basic natural resources, such as:
- Petroleum, natural gas and minerals, and converting them to products ranging from microchips to food products
- Electrical, electronics, telecommunications and power engineering - from nuclear power to television, and from computer systems to communication networks
- Manufacturing - systems in factories, including automated and computer-controlled machines
- Marine engineering and shipbuilding - ships, offshore platforms, other marine structures and the equipment installed on them
- Mechanical - designing components, machines and systems that involve the conversion and use of mechanical energy
- Petroleum - working on the exploration and production of oil and gas
Engineers who offer their services directly to the public must be licensed. These licensed engineers are called Professional Engineers (PE). To become licensed one must have a degree from a program that is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), four years of relevant work experience, and successful completion of a state examination. Requirements vary by state.
Many engineers work on long-term research and development projects or in other activities that continue even during economic slowdowns. In industries such as electronics and aerospace, however, large cutbacks in defense expenditures and in government funding for research and development have resulted in significant layoffs of engineers in the past. The trend toward contracting for engineering work with engineering services firms, both domestic and foreign, has also made engineers more vulnerable to layoffs during periods of lower demand.
It is important for engineers, as it is for workers in other technical and scientific occupations, to continue their education throughout their careers because much of their value to their employer depends on their knowledge of the latest technology. Engineers in high-technology areas, such as biotechnology or information technology, may find that technical knowledge becomes outdated rapidly. By keeping current in their field, engineers are able to deliver the best solutions and greatest value to their employers. Engineers who have not kept current in their field may find themselves at a disadvantage when seeking promotions or during layoffs.
