Unit 3: Preparing for an

Engineering Career

Learning Module for CMP101

(Computer Engineering as a Discipline)

By
Engr. Roman M. Richard, MEng

Copyright © 2020, Columban College, Inc.

All rights Reserved

(No part of this module may be reproduced or copied without the permission from the author.)

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 UNIT 3
PREPARING FOR AN ENGINEERING CAREER

CONTENTS
3.0. Learning Objectives
3.1. Learn About Your Passion
3.1.1. Explore Opportunities
3.1.2. Get Involved with an Engineering Organization
3.2. Choosing a Specialization
3.3. Further Education and Internships
3.4. References for Further Reading

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3.0. Learning Objectives

After this unit, the student must be able to:

3.1. Provide an explanation of their interests and passion in fields related to their
future engineering career.
3.2. Identify which fields of specialization they would like to focus on in the field of
IT/CS/Engineering.
3.3. Explain the importance of further education and the significant effect internships
have on their future engineering career.

3.1. Learn About Your Passion

“Manufacturing, science and engineering are…incredibly creative. I’d venture to say more so
than creative advertising agencies and things that are known as the creative industries.” – Sir
James Dyson

Transitioning from a high school mode of education to college is hard enough, but to
subject oneself to a specialized study like engineering can sometimes be a challenge for many
students. It is important that we approach engineering as a creative field, where you are free to
explore your interests in a certain field. Identifying and learning your passion is an amazing
motivation. It allows students to push on during moments of hardship and to rejoice the moments
of success. In this chapter, we will look at different ways you can explore your passion under
computer engineering and what lies ahead for your engineering career. Specifically, a look at a)
opportunities and b) engineering organizations.

3.1.1. Explore Opportunities

An important aspect in learning your passion is having the ability to explore opportunities
related to said passion. These opportunities may present themselves as learning and job
opportunities.
a) Learning Opportunities – contrary to popular belief, your career outlook is also affected
by the degree you obtain, the nature of your university/college, and how prepared you are
for further learning. The degree you obtain directly affects your career outlook.
Additionally, some universities/colleges focus on different learning outputs. While some
may focus on producing researchers, others may focus on producing engineering
managers. Due to the nature of technology and engineering, change is one of the only
constant things. An engineer must always keep abreast with the latest trends and changes
in their chosen field of specialization. Otherwise, they become obsolete.
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 b) Job Opportunities – Does your intended degree line up with a future career you are
interested in? If yes, then that is good! Otherwise, there might be some challenge in
pursuing a degree. How about job growth? Is your future career on a decline in terms of
labor trends? Is there a demand for a professional with that specialization?

Your passion is the first and foremost consideration to take in pursuing any opportunity that will
affect your future career. Without passion, motivation may also be a challenge.

3.1.2. Get Involved with an Engineering Organization

Engineering organizations are a great way to get

acquainted with the community of professionals you hope
to join in the future. Usually, these organizations are
involved in community services and enrichment of
members by promoting further learning through various
seminars and trainings. Computer engineers are enjoined in
their professional organization known as the Institute of
Computer Engineers of the Philippines or ICpEP.
These organizations are usually introduced to
engineering students when they are asked to join in the first
year of their engineering studies. Education institutions
have 1their
Figure own
Institute chaptersEngineers
of Computer of such of organizations for their
students, these are called “Student Chapters”. The ICpEP’s
the Philippines Logo
student’s chapter is known as the Institute of Computer
Engineers of the Philippines – Student Edition or ICpEP.SE. ICpEP.SE aims to enrich
student members’ knowledge and skills by hosting competitions, seminars, and trainings that are
usually facilitated by their professional members.

Check Your Progress 1

1. Explain the difference between learning opportunities and job opportunities? How do they
affect your career options?
2. Why is it important to join professional organizations as a student?

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3.2. Choosing a Specialization

Looking back at the first unit of this course, we can remember that computer engineering
is a wide field with many different facets. Computer engineers do not typically know anything
and everything about every sub-field within their profession, but they instead pick and choose
certain areas as their forte or specialization. We will try to make a concise grouping of these
different specialization fields.

Computer Hardware Engineering

Circuits and Electronics
Computer Architecture and Organization
Digital Design
Embedded Systems
Signal Processing
Computer Hardware Engineering Source:
https://itjobsandwork.wordpress.com/2014/11/07/comp
uter-hardware-engineer-job-description-and-
information/

Job Description according to truity.com: “Computer hardware engineers ensure that computer
hardware components work together with the latest software. Therefore, hardware engineers
often work with software developers. For example, the hardware and software for mobile phones
and other devices frequently are developed at the same time.”

Software Engineering
Computing Algorithms
Software Design

Software Engineering Source:

https://learning.linkedin.com/blog/tech-tips/the-fastest-growing-
skills-among-software-engineers--and-how-to-

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Job description according to careerexplorer.com: “Software engineers have extensive knowledge
of programming languages, software development, and computer operating systems, and they
apply engineering principles to software creation.”

Computer Networks
Information Security

Computer Networks Source:

https://www.schoolsofkingedwardvi.co.uk/ks2-
computing-computing-theory-5-computer-networks/

Job description according to Betterteam.com: “Network engineers are responsible for building
and maintaining the day-to-day operation of computer networks that companies and
organizations rely on. These networks typically include an intranet, extranet, local area network
(LAN), and wide area network (WAN).”

Systems Engineering
Information Security
System and Project Engineering

Systems Engineer
Source:https://www.schoolsofkingedwardvi.co.uk/ks2-
computing-computing-theory-5-computer-networks/

Job description according to glassdoor.com: “A Systems Engineer combines an understanding of

both engineering and management. A Systems Engineer works with various departments to
manage and develop systems within a company. From creating and implementing systems
software to analyzing data to improve existing ones, a Systems Engineer increases productivity
in the workplace.”

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Engineering Management Roles
Professional Practice
Technopreneurship
Occupational Health and Safety

Job description according to glassdoor.com: “They are responsible for solving any engineering
issue that comes up in a project. A few of the main duties of an engineering manager are
answering technical questions, proposing budgets for projects, training new employees, and
working with various other departments.”

Check Your Progress 2

1. Enumerate and explain the different specialization areas under computer engineering.
2. How can computer engineers enter fields for computer science and information technology
graduates?

3.3. Further Education and Internships

Further education is the practice of continuing learning even after you acquire your
degree or finish some training. Learning must be continuous specifically because things change
too frequently, technology rapidly updates, and we have the responsibility to make sure that our
knowledge in our chosen fields are up-to-date, modern, or contemporary.
In the same light, as students you have the rare opportunity to practice your chosen field
before you obtain your degree. This is the importance of receiving a proper internship or “on-the-
job training.”

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 SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Part 1: Matching Type. Draw a line to connect which area of study fits which specialization.
1. Signal Processing
2. Software Design Computer Hardware Engineering
3. Information Security
4. Professional Practice Software Engineering
5.Digital Design
6. Computer Architecture and Organization Computer Networks
7. System and Project Engineering
8. Computing Algorithm Systems Engineering
9. Embedded Systems
10. Occupational Health and Safety Engineering Management Roles

Part 2: Complete the description.

1. Your ________________ matters in choosing your profession / specialization.
2. Networks include intranet, extranet, _____________, and WAN.
3. A _______________ increases productivity in the workplace.
4. An engineering manager is responsible for _____________ any problems that may
arise in the workplace.
5. Software engineers apply ____________ principles to software creation.

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 Model Answers for Check Your Progress
CYP1
1. Learning opportunities and job opportunities are both factors in choosing your career.
The former pertains to the availability of educational resources for your desired career
while the latter focuses on accessible job opportunities. They affect the career option
because they allow you to narrow down choices based on your different passions.
2. To create connections with professionals or future co-professionals.
CYP2
1. Check those listed in 3.3.
2. Yes, because computer engineering has the core and fundamentals of both CS/IT
courses with electrical/electronics core and fundamnetals.

3.4. References for Further Reading

1. Moaveni, S. Engineering Fundamentals, SI (pp. 32 - 50). Cengage Learning.

2. Career Personality Profiler. Truity. (2020). Retrieved 2 August 2020, from
https://www.truity.com/test/career-personality-profiler-test.
3. Systems Engineer Job Description. Glassdoor. (2020). Retrieved 2 August 2020, from
https://www.glassdoor.com/Job-Descriptions/Systems-Engineer.htm.
4. What does a software engineer do? ‐ CareerExplorer. Careerexplorer.com. (2020).
Retrieved 2 August 2020, from https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/software-engineer/.