Engineering need passion and focus. It does not need to have a High IQ.

Engineering is a broad field with exciting and varied career opportunities as a result.
You could be working anywhere from aerospace to construction, using the latest
technology to design products, testing your scientific knowledge in the healthcare and
food industries or working on innovative railway projects. There are many career
opportunities around the world as a graduate of engineering.

Should I become an engineer?

Engineering is a practical and technical role where you can be solving problems and
exploring how things work every day. Excellent maths and science skills are essential,
while project management and strategic thinking are key soft skills you will need for
more senior roles. Some roles may also need you to be creative.

Benefits of an engineering career include:

 Employability – Engineers are in high demand – it is estimated 265,000 graduates will

be needed annually until 2024 (Engineering UK, 2017) – so graduates can enjoy
excellent employment prospects.
 Earning potential – The average graduate salary is £24,000 and experienced engineers
can earn £50,000 to £80,000 a year (National Careers Service).
 International opportunities – Many top multinational companies hire for roles all across
the globe. Airbus, Ford, Heinz and BP are top graduate employers worldwide.

Different types of engineering

There are four main types of engineer: chemical, civil, electrical and mechanical.

Chemical engineering
Chemical engineering uses scientific principles to create new products from raw
materials. You could be involved in the design and manufacturing stage of product
development or testing new materials. As a chemical engineer, you could work in
industries such as food production, mineral extraction and processing, mining,
petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals.

Civil engineering
Civil engineering deals with the design, testing, construction and maintenance of the
environment. Civil engineers can work across environmental, geotechnical, control,
structural and transportation projects. This can involve projects for roads, bridges and
canals, renewable energy, drilling and even responding to natural disasters.

Electrical engineering
Electrical engineers research, design and test new technology and electrical systems in
products and buildings. Work can cover a range of industries and areas, including
building and services, transport, manufacturing and production, robotics,
telecommunications, energy and digital technology.

Mechanical engineering
This is a hands-on role working across all stages of product development, from
research and design to installation and commissioning. Most industries rely on
mechanical systems with opportunities across a range of areas from aerospace and
manufacturing to construction and railway.