MODULE 1 - ENGINEERING CAREERS AND PROFESSIONS

Introduction

This module will introduce you to the engineering profession. It will discuss the most important
things and information you ever wanted to know about engineering. This material will give a
thorough discussion about what engineering and the profession is all about. The qualities or
attributes of a good engineer should possess as well as the different engineering disciplines are
also enumerated in this section. The last part of this module will tackle the different career
opportunities and options of engineers and their role in community and nation building will
likewise be discussed.

Hopefully, when you are finished reading this module, you will have a comprehensive
understanding of the engineering profession and perhaps have found the engineering niche that
attracts you most. This information, coupled with knowledge of the personal benefits you will
reap from the profession is intended to strengthen your commitment to completing your
engineering degree. Having a clear picture of the many payoffs will be a key factor in motivating
you to make the personal choices and put forth the effort required to succeed in such a
challenging and demanding field of study.

Topic Outcome

1. Discuss the meaning of engineering as a discipline and a career

2. Describe the important traits of successful engineers.
3. Differentiate the various areas of engineering specialization
4. Explain the importance of engineering profession in the development of a community
and in nation building

Lectures

The Engineering Profession

Engineering is considered to be one of the most challenging and exciting career. It is the
application of the principles of science and mathematics to develop economical solutions to
technical problems. It is the task of an engineer to link the scientific discoveries and the
commercial applications that meet societal and consumer needs.

There are a lot of definitions that you can find about what engineering is all about but a
good starting point for answering this question is the theme of National Engineers Week, held
each February in honor of George Washington, considered to be the first engineer in the United
States . That theme depicts engineering according to its function:

“​ Engineers turn dreams into reality.”

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Over the years, many variations of this theme have been put forth, from that of the
famous scientist Count Rumford over 200 years ago:

“Engineering is the application of science to the common purpose of life” 

 
to the current standard definition of engineering provided by the Accreditation Board for
Engineering and Technology (ABET):

“Engineering is the application of science to the common purpose of life. 

Engineering is the profession in which a knowledge of the mathematical and natural 
sciences, gained by study, experience, and practice, is applied with judgment to develop 
ways to utilize, economically, the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of 
[hu]mankind”. 
 
As you learn more about the field of engineering, you will find there is no simple answer
to the question “What is engineering?” Because engineers do so many different things and
perform so many different functions, learning about engineering is a lifelong endeavor. Still,
there is a variety of ways to start learning about and understanding engineering, one is to tap
the tremendous amount of information available online.

A question that is usually being asked: How is engineering different from science? An
excellent answer was provided by astronaut Neil Armstrong in the foreword of A Century of
Innovation: Twenty Engineering Achievements That Changed Our Lives .

Engineering is often associated with science and understandably so. Both make
extensive use of mathematics, and engineering requires a solid scientific basis. Yet as
any scientist or engineer will tell you, they are quite different. Science is a quest for
“truth for its own sake,” for an ever more exact understanding of the natural world. It
explains the change in the viscosity of a liquid as its temperature is varied, the release
of heat when water vapor condenses, and the reproductive process of plants. It
determines the speed of light. Engineering turns those explanations and
understandings into new or improved machines, technologies, and processes – to bring
reality to ideas and to provide solutions to societal need.
 

Qualities Of Engineers

Industrial, chemical, civil, electrical, electronics, mechanical and other engineering fields
are all words that come before the title of an engineer. Each of these professions do very
different things in order to change the way we live. Collectively, they work to make our daily
personal and professional lives more comfortable, safer, and easier to navigate. There are
several qualities that most engineers share: among them are ​curiosity, critical thinking,
creativity, effective communication, and a collaborative spirit.

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1. Curiosity
Children who spend hours taking apart toys just to see how they work are the kind of kids who
grow up to be engineers. Engineers are curious because they want to know how and why things
work as they do. For many engineers, once they have this understanding, their thinking morphs
into how they can make it better, faster, and more efficient for less money!

2. Critical Thinking
Engineers need to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information to make objective judgments
and recommendations. They rely on these critical thinking skills in every stage of their work,
particularly when it comes to decision-making. Engineers who can think critically, are able to
effectively handle the wide variety of technical, administrative, policy, and interpersonal
communication challenges that arise within a day’s work or a project’s timeline.

3. Creativity
Many may think that the words “creative” and “engineer” are mutually exclusive. At first glance, it
would seem that in a field structured by math and science there would be little to no room for a
creative spirit but when one looks more deeply, the creative engineer is changing the way we
live and work as creativity often spurs innovation! It was a creative engineer who converted
another glue-based project into Sticky Notes.

4. Effective Communication

An engineer, in any industry, can have brilliant ideas for a project but if he or she cannot
articulate those ideas to management, teammates, clients, and other stakeholders they are of
no use. Effective engineers understand that clear, concise, written and verbal communication is
the key to giving their ideas life and their team a competitive edge. Succinct communication
becomes even more important in today’s global business context where language and meaning
often become lost in translation. While it is true that many graduate programs in engineering
place little focus on teaching students these skills, there are plenty of resources such as books,
podcasts, and webinars of which engineers may avail themselves in order to improve their
ability to effectively communicate.

5. A Collaborative Spirit

Engineers do not work in a vacuum. They work with other engineers, supply chain
management, financial and project managers, and others from various business units.
Engineers are tasked with contributing to collaborative and cross-functional teams to ensure
integrated development. The more easily an engineer can collaborate with a team, the more
likely the project or product will be successful.

Engineers who remain curious throughout their lives, while employing sharp critical
thinking skills, combined with the ability to clearly communicate their ideas in a creative and
collaborative way, are those who will continue to ease the way in which people navigate their
world.

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Aside from the above-mentioned qualities of engineers, the ff. are some additional
personality traits and work habits that typify most of today’s successful engineers

● Engineers are adept at using computers in many different ways to model and
analyze various practical problems.
● Good engineers have time management skills that enable them to work
productively and efficiently.
● Good engineers have a desire to be lifelong learners. They have to take
continuing education classes, seminars and workshops to stay abreast of
innovation and new technologies . This is particularly important in today’s world
because of the rapid change in technology.
● Good engineers have people skills that allow them to interact and communicate
effectively with various people in their organization.
● Well-trained engineers regardless of their area of specialization, have a core
knowledge that can be applied in other related fields.

In summary, successful engineers are problem solvers. They have a good grasp of
fundamental physical and chemical laws and principles to design, develop, test and supervise
the manufacture of millions of products and services. Engineers, regardless of their background,
follow scientific procedure when designing the products and services we use in our everyday
lives.

Areas Of Engineering Specialization

There are over 20 major disciplines or specializations that are recognized by the
professional engineering societies. Moreover, within each discipline there exist a number of
branches. The following are just the common engineering fields:

1. Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering is one of the oldest of the engineering fields. It emphasizes

mathematical knowledge in geometry, calculus and physical sciences. Civil engineers oversee
the construction of transportation systems, roads, architecture, construction sites.

2. Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineering is the field of applied science that employs physical, chemical, and
biochemical rate processes for the betterment of humanity. Chemical engineers apply their skills
to fundamental problems in pharmaceuticals, medical devices and drug-delivery system,
semiconductor manufacturing, and more

3. Electrical Engineering
Electrical engineering involves the conception, design, development, and production of
the electrical or electronic products and systems. It involves the application of electricity,
needed by our technological society. Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise

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the manufacturing of electrical equipment such as electric motors, radar, and navigation
systems

4. Electronics Engineering

Electronics Engineering integrates available and emerging technologies with knowledge

of mathematics, natural, social and applied sciences to conceptualize, design, and implement
new, improved, or innovative electronic, computer and communication systems, devices, goods,
services and processes.

5. Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineers research, develop, design, manufacture and test tools, engines,
machines, and other mechanical devices. They work on power-producing machines such as
electricity-producing generators, internal combustion engines, steam and gas turbines, and jet
and rocket engines.

6. Industrial Engineering

Industrial engineering focuses on the entrepreneurial and business aspect of

engineering projects. Whether it is research and development or group projects, industrial
engineers desire to create the most efficient plans for employee ,scheduling, factory schedules,
and a multitude of other factors.

7. Computer Engineering

This discipline is referred to in a multitude of terms including computer hardware

engineering, computer software engineering, and computer science., This field encompasses
the development of the programming and the physical components of a computer system.
Computer engineers work on computer hardware chips, circuit boards and keyboards.

8. Sanitary Engineering

Sanitary engineering, also known as public health engineering or wastewater

engineering, is the application of engineering methods to improve sanitation of human
communities, primarily by providing the removal and disposal of human waste, and in addition to
the supply of safe potable water.

9. Petroleum Engineering

Petroleum Engineering is a field of engineering concerned with the activities related to

the production of hydrocarbons, which can be either crude oil or natural gas. Exploration and
production are deemed to fall within the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry. Petroleum
engineers specialize in the discovery and production of oil and natural gas.

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10. Mechatronics Engineering

Mechatronics engineering is a multidisciplinary branch of engineering that focuses on
the engineering of both electrical and mechanical systems, and also includes a combination of
robotics, electronics, computer, telecommunications, systems, control, and product engineering.

11. Instrumentation and Control Engineering

Instrumentation and control engineering (ICE) is a branch of engineering that studies the
measurement and control of process variables, and the design and implementation of systems
that incorporate them. IC engineers focus on the implementation of control systems, mainly
derived from mathematical modeling.

12. Food Engineering

Food engineering is a multidisciplinary field which combines ​microbiology​,
applied ​physical sciences​, ​chemistry​ and engineering for food and related industries. Food
engineers provide the technological knowledge transfer essential to
the ​cost-effective​ production and ​commercialization​ of food products and services.

Other Engineering Disciplines:

● Aerospace engineering
● Automotive engineering
● Ceramics engineering
● Environmental engineering
● Materials engineering
● Manufacturing engineering
● Mining engineering
● Nuclear engineering
● Transportation engineering
● and many others

Engineering Career Opportunities

Engineering graduates have a broad range of career options, including different kinds of
engineering roles, jobs in related areas such as supply chain and jobs in other industries such
as finance and IT. The focus of your engineering degree will affect the types of engineering jobs
you are suited to. You can work as engineers in your specific field. Other job roles and career
areas you could work in follows:

● Engineering consultancy
● Process engineer​ing
● Technical sales engineer​ing
● Construction, civil engineering and surveying
● Engineering, design and manufacture
● Logistics, transport and supply chain

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● Scientific research and development

● Design and installation
● Engineering and building professionals
● Information technology professionals
● Academicians
● Engineering Supervisors/Managers
● Health and Safety Engineers
● Pollution Control officers
● Surveying and Mapping Technicians
● Cadet engineers
There are a lot more job opportunities that engineers can land in. This broad field of
engineering encompasses an array of rewarding opportunities. Most engineers focus on a
specific field but no matter what your specialization is, qualified engineers are in demand in a
variety of fields.

Engineering positions typically require a bachelor’s degree in engineering or relevant

field. Some engineering jobs, especially in management, require a master’s degree. An
engineering degree in a specialty area may qualify engineers for a career in a related field.
Whatever your area of focus, an engineering degree will require a heavy dose of math and
science courses.

Many engineers have rewarding careers working with cutting edge technology. With this
advanced technology, the engineering field is ever-evolving and innovative. Engineers typically
enjoy working in collaboration with other team members to develop innovations in technology.
Their work environment is rarely stagnant.

Role Of Engineers In Daily Lives, Community And Nation Building

Engineers play a key role in ensuring the growth and development of a country's
economy as well as in improving the quality of life for citizens within the country. Their main
focus is on making things work efficiently and effectively by applying the theories and principles
of sciences and mathematics to research and develop economic solutions. Engineers make
products and provide services that make our lives better.

❖ To see how engineers contribute to the comfort and betterment of our everyday lives,
just look around more carefully. During the night, your bedroom was kept at the right
temperature- thanks to the mechanical engineers who designed the heating,
air-conditioning and ventilating systems in your home.
❖ When you get up in the morning, and turn on the lights, thousands of electrical
engineers and technicians in the power plants and power stations around the country
are making sure that the flow of electricity remains uninterrupted. The TV you are
using to watch your TV and morning news are designed by electrical and electronics
engineers.
❖ Manufacturing and industrial engineers are involved in creating final products,

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❖ The water could be heated by natural gas that is brought to your home was made
possible through the effort of chemical, mechanical civil and petroleum engineers.
❖ The cotton towel that we use daily was made with the help of agricultural, industrial
manufacturing , chemical, petroleum, civil and mechanical engineers
❖ The foods that we eat daily were made through the collaborative effort of various
engineering disciplines-from agricultural to mechanical, to food engineers.
❖ The transport vehicles that we use are made with the effort of automotive,
mechanical, electrical, electronics, industrial, electronics, chemical and petroleum
engineers.

There is an important link between a country's engineering capacity and its

economic development. Engineers play an important role in the development of society and the
nation.

How exactly does Engineering impact society?

Are you aware of the extent of the impact engineering has made on our society as a
whole? In fact, engineers have completely changed the world we live in, from modern homes,
bridges, space travel, cars and the latest mobile technology. Innovative ideas are at the heart of
what engineers do, and they use their knowledge to create new and exciting prospects and
solve any problems that may arise.

Health

The health industry has hugely benefited from engineering. Advances in medical
technology is solely down to engineers, and without it, doctors would not be able to
treat patients the way they do today; with fantastic success rates. Engineering has
essentially allowed us to understand the medical issues in today’s society.

Technology

Engineers are the reason for the phenomenal growth in technology of every
generation. Just think about what the technological advances that are in our
everyday lives; not only can we access the world with our fingertips, engineers have
also allowed us to build satellites and machines that help us to understand the world
we live in and shape our lives on a daily basis.

Communication

Whilst on the subject of technology, the way we communicate has also vastly
improved due to engineering. We can now get in touch with people at any time of the
day in any part of the world. This has greatly improved the way we do business and
how we talk to our friends, family and strangers on a daily basis.

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Development

Steam engines, jet engines and aeroplanes are all down to hard work from
engineers, and it has allowed businesses to work smarter and faster than ever
before. Improvements to travel have changed the way humans connect with one
another, opening trades for business and allowing us to literally travel to the other
side of the planet in a mere 24 hours.

Space

Visiting Space may have been a mere dream in the past, but not anymore. The
International Space Station is the largest and most complex science undertaking
ever. It allows scientists, analysts and engineers from all over the planet to come
together and conduct research that cannot be done elsewhere, finding answers to
queries that have been unquestioned for years.

There are no aspects of the world we live in today that aren't affected by the work of
engineers. The great thing is that engineering is continuing to affect society in a great and
beneficial way.

Activities
Homework [ ​pdf​ ]
Review Quiz 1 [ ​Google Form​ ]

Supplemental Content
Watch the following videos about “What is Engineering” in Introduction to Engineering
website [ ​link​ ]

References
Role of engineers in Nation Building. (2016, May 8). Study Moose.
https://studymoose.com/role-of-engineers-in-nation-building-essay
The Engineering Profession.​ (n.d.). Discovery Press. Retrieved July 26, 2020, from
http://discovery-press.com/discovery-press/studyengr/chapter24E.pdf
Top Personality Traits of Engineers.​ (2016, October 6). Kettering University | Online.
https://online.kettering.edu/news/2016/10/06/top-personality-traits-engineers
Moaveni, S. (2010). ​Engineering Fundamentals: An Introduction to Engineering​.
Cengage Learning.
Engineering Disciplines.​ (n.d.). Science Reference Services. Retrieved July 26, 2020,
from ​https://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/SciRefGuides/eng-disciplines.html
TBS Staff. (2019, March 2). ​Engineering Careers.​ TheBestSchools.
https://thebestschools.org/careers/engineering-careers/

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How exactly does Engineering impact society?​ (n.d.). Gloucestershire Engineering

Training. Retrieved July 26, 2020, from
https://get-trained.org/latest-news/how-exactly-does-engineering-impact-society

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