Procurement Purchasing And Buying
As a procurement specialist, youll be responsible for buying equipment and parts for projects while taking care to balance quality with cost-effectiveness. Depending on the scale of the project, you may be asked to oversee a tender process and evaluate submissions from different contractors. Youll also need to ensure that the right parts and delivered to the right place at the right time.
The advantage of having studied engineering is that youll have a strong technical understanding of the equipment youre buying, which will help you accurately evaluate prices and account for implementation requirements. Of course, youll also need some highly developed soft skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders. You may also need to inspect equipment upon arrival to ensure it meets your expectations of quality and functionality.
Can You Get A Mechanical Engineering Job With Just A Certificate
Unlike other disciplines that offer certificate programs, mechanical engineering programs offer specialization certificates to bachelors degree graduates. Entry-level jobs in this field require at least an associate degree. A group of U.S. senators, however, is seeking to amend the Pell Grant, the financial aid for higher education, to expand eligibility to technical programs to provide broader access to those who lost employment due to the pandemic .
Some students, instead of acquiring certificates, go on internships as it is perceived as one of the best ways to gain real-world experience as a mechanical engineer. This is also a good way to showcase knowledge and skills to an employer, as interns get hired for full-time positions as associate engineers.
What Do Electrical Engineers Do
In your work as an electrical engineer, youll design and develop new electrical systems. Youll test them and make improvements to what you designed. Next, youll supervise the manufacture of several technologies that you are involved in, from robotics, portable music players, power generation, cell phones, global positioning systems , wired and wireless communications, automobile control systems, and power generation and transmission.
Each day in electrical engineering will be different from the day before. One day, electrical engineers work with project management the next, they may work on the design of new ways to use electrical power as you develop new products or improve existing ones. The following week, electrical engineers may supervise the manufacturing, installation and testing of electrical equipment to make sure that they meet federal specifications and codes.
Electrical engineers may work on detailed, complex calculations that allow your company to develop manufacturing, construction, and installation standards and specifications. Electrical engineers may also investigate and troubleshoot customer complaints to evaluate the problems and develop solutions.
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What Precisely Would My Job As An Electrical Engineering Graduate Be
The nature of your work will depend on the industry you work in. Most employers take on graduate electrical engineers with a view to developing their specialist knowledge further. In these companies you can expect to work alongside engineers from other disciplines, but your role will be to provide electrical engineering expertise. However, with some employers electrical engineering graduates will develop into more ‘generalist’ engineers. They may need to pick up knowledge from other areas of engineering and will perform similar jobs to graduates who studied different disciplines.
Which Certification Is Best For Mechanical Engineering
Getting a certification will contribute to your career advancement. Certifications in the field of mechanical engineering will allow you to specialize in specific fields. Some associations such as the ASME or the Society of Value Engineering administer certification programs.
certificate programs are open to applicants with a bachelors degree. Typically, the courses in a certificate program can be credited towards a masters degree in mechanical engineering. Some of the certificate programs for mechanical engineers are:
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Human Factors in Data Science
- Human Factors in Medical Devices and Systems
Certifications are essential to career growth as it facilitates upskilling and reskilling. Li et al. , in their research published in the Journal of Manufacturing Systems, identified the gaps in critical skills and domain knowledge essential to the digital transformation in manufacturing. Their study entitled Data science skills and domain knowledge requirements in the manufacturing industry: A gap analysis confirmed that skills associated with many Industry 4.0 job positions require multidisciplinary skills and domain knowledge topics. The results indicated that many manufacturing employees lag behind data science and computer science-related skills for Industry 4.0. The analysis conducted by Li et al. also highlighted that the manufacturing workforce needs programming skills to narrow the gap between current job requirements and workforce skills.
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Alternative Careers For Electrical Engineering Graduates
If you donââ¬â¢t want to become an engineer, an electrical engineering degree can open plenty of other doors. You could work in a finance, management or logistics role within the engineering sector, or move into a closely related field such as IT .
There’s no obligation to opt for a technical employer, though. You could put your background to good use in careers such as science journalism, technical publishing or teaching . Alternatively, you could train to become a solicitor or barrister and specialise in a tech-heavy area of law such as intellectual property, construction or energy, transport and infrastructure. Equally, you could become a patent attorney , which you don’t need a law degree for.
Alternatively, if you want to explore something entirely different, remember that many graduate jobs are open to graduates from any degree discipline. An engineer’s skills set appeals to recruiters for finance or business, management and consulting graduate schemes, for example.
What Is The Job Outlook For Electrical Engineer
When it comes to the career as electrical engineer, it is a field that is booming. Electrical engineering careers have some relatively great opportunities. For development, design, manufacture, test, review, market, sell and manage electrical and electronic systems, electrical engineers are required. In India, fresh graduates will find employment in both the public and private sectors. Private corporations pay decent salaries relative to those of the government. Computer, telecommunications, and consumer electronics firms are amongst the largest employers of electrical engineers. Apart from making a professional career as electrical engineer, by joining research laboratories and institutes one can also do research work in this field.
There are plenty of career opportunities for electrical engineers. Building companies, infrastructure and agencies, engineering and manufacturing and construction, transportation systems, and power delivery are various sectors of this career. An electrical engineer will initiate working with an industry dealing in product development, power management, manufacturing, product design, entertainment, transport, electronic equipment, wireless communication, pharmaceutical, and production, defence and automotive.
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The Work Of An Aerospace Engineer
An aerospace engineers primary job is designing, developing, testing, and upgrading vehicles that can be operated as safely as possible. Depending on the project, this may involve compliance with industry-specific standards as well as other government regulations.
In addition to designing and developing aircraft and spacecraft, an aerospace engineer may also find work developing satellites or projectile missiles.
Job responsibilities of aerospace engineers may also include the following.
- Creating and administering tests and simulations so craft meet safety standards
- Assessing proposals for new projects to ensure they are technically feasible
- Evaluating design plans to make certain they meet safety standards, customer needs, and efficiency targets
- Developing or integrating advanced robotic systems, such as automatic pilot functions used in aircraft
- Inspecting damaged or malfunctioning equipment to diagnose the underlying problem, and to advance possible solutions
Pursue An Electrical Engineering Career
For those who are inclined toward engineering and are passionate about working with electrical systems, there are plenty of career paths to choose from. For each of the careers listed here, it can be advantageous to first pursue an advanced degree in the field.
Consider Ohio Universitys online masters in electrical engineering degree program, where you can gain the technical and critical thinking skills to solve complex problems and offer value to employers. Hone your abilities in research, design, development, and testing to become a well-rounded electrical engineer ready to take on any challenge.
Learn more about Ohio Universitys MSEE program today and take the first step toward an exciting career.
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Bachelor’s Degree In Electrical Engineering
Bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering allow graduates to pursue most electrical and electronics engineer careers. These four-year programs can also lead to master’s programs after graduation, particularly for graduates who wish to specialize in power systems, computer engineering, or signals processing.
For the most part, online electrical engineering programs emphasize theoretical foundations and practical applications. Some common courses include electrical circuit analysis, electric networks, and engineering economics. In their junior and senior years, students delve into more advanced physics and mathematics, as well as electrical engineering design. Some programs may require an electrical engineering internship.
What Can I Do With A Masters In Mechanical Engineering
Senior Mechanical Engineer
The senior mechanical engineer oversees the planning, design, development, and production process. The job also involves improving mechanical and electrical systems of various products to pursue efficiency.
Median salary: $99,683
Mechanical Engineering Manager
With strong leadership and communication skills, the mechanical engineering manager oversees the entire mechanical engineering departments operations. They also serve as lead engineers in project teams and manage engineering and design teams.
Median salary: $113,139
Senior Applications Engineer
The senior applications engineer provides expert-level technical support for automation duties and system protection. They also handle engineering tasks related to machine functioning and are mainly responsible for the development and testing of applications to address product needs.
Median Salary: $96,799
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Other Careers For Electricians
Once you are a qualified and licensed electrician and have some experience working with electrical systems, you may want to try something new. There are many alternative careers for those who are trained as electricians, including some that you may never have realized were a possibility:
- Home inspector. Homebuyers need professional inspectors to ensure the wiring and electrical components are safe and up to code.
- Crew foreman. Ifyou enjoy leading teams you may want to be a construction foreman, in charge of all types of workers on a job site.
- Project manager.New construction projects can be pretty large and involve complex electrical systems. Contracting companies and builders need project managers to plan and guide the implementation of wiring and electrical components.
- Renewable energy specialist. With some additional training you could become a specialist in the wiring involved in solar power, wind turbines and other systems that use alternative energy.
There are many different ways that your career as an electrician can go. Its up to you to get the right training and licensing, and then youll be in a great position to choose how and where you want to work.
Qualities And Skills Of An Electrical Engineer
Listening skills
Electrical engineers give their full undivided attention to what others say and take the time to truly understand the points being made.
Complex problem-solving
Coming up with efficient solutions to difficult problems is a key component of an electrical engineers job.
Critical thinking
Electrical engineers apply logic and reasoning abilities to identify the strengths and weaknesses of a problem or solution and approach their tasks in innovative ways.
Attention to detail
When it comes to complicated low-level circuits and electrical problems, the details matter. Electrical engineers are able to spot small subtle mistakes in their work in order to correct them before designs go to production.
Deep electrical engineering knowledge
This one may be a given, but electrical engineers should always be improving their skills and learning new ones.
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Why Pursue A Career In Electrical Engineering
Electrical engineering degrees incorporate rigorous coursework in STEM, including mechanics, power systems, circuitry, physics, and programmable logic. With the rise of technology, many different employers need professionals proficient in designing and maintaining electrical systems and equipment. Electrical engineers can provide critical skills in diverse areas, including medical and military environments.
Many electrical engineering jobs are projected to grow in the coming years, and a lot of these positions offer high salaries.
Regardless of setting, electrical engineers should be adept at technical communication, design, research methods, and project management. They hone these skills in an academic environment. Electrical engineers are organized, driven, and typically possess a natural inclination towards math and science.
How To Start Your Career In Mechanical Engineering
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers identified five common engineering jobs of the futurerobot creators, space engineers, living tissue builders, drone builders, and water extractors to address the global water shortage. These projections show that jobs will continue to evolve but foundational knowledge in the field will remain.
A four-year bachelors degree in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology is typically required to land an entry-level job career in the field. Some universities and colleges offer five-year programs that allow students to earn both a bachelors and a masters degree. These five-year or six-year plans integrate classroom study with practical cooperative work, from which students gain valuable on-the-job experience.
The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology accredits programs in engineering and engineering technology. Getting an ABET-accredited program is necessary to become a licensed professional engineer, and most hiring managers also look for candidates that have completed mechanical engineering programs that are ABET-accredited.
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Electrical Engineering Graduates In The Defence Industry
‘Electrical engineers in the defence industry are involved in electrical power and network architecture or the optimisation of hardware and software design concepts, developing sophisticated design processes and testing complex products to ensure the equipment is fit for the air, sea or land operating environments. Activities could include: equipment design, assessment of equipment behaviour, fault diagnosis, assessment of new technologies, simulation and modelling, and data analysis.’ Pamela Wilson, engineering manager at BAE Systems .
What Do Electrical And Electronic Engineering Graduates Do
The top ten jobs for electronic and electrical engineering graduates include engineering professionals , IT professionals , electrical and electronic trades , science, engineering and production technicians , metal machining, fitting and instrument making trades , IT technicians , sales, marketing and related associate professionals , business, research and administrative professionals and senior officers in protective services .
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Accreditation For Electrical Engineering Programs
Accreditation comes in different forms, but it’s best to attend a regionally accredited institution. For programs like electrical engineering, however, students also need to seek out programmatic accreditation.
The major accrediting agency for electrical engineering is the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology , which ensures that engineering programs meet industry standards. Employers often require engineers to graduate from ABET-accredited programs, and future licensure and continuing education opportunities in engineering may also depend on it.
Career Path And Progression
You could work in different industries, from power and renewable energy to transport, construction and manufacturing.
You can improve your career prospects with incorporated or chartered engineer status. Chartered status can help you move into electrical design and project management roles, specialise in a particular field, or work as an engineering consultant. The Engineering Council have further details on how to become a chartered engineer.
You could also teach in a further education college.
Find out more about teaching in further education from Teach in further education.
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Get Into A College Degree Program
You can start with an associates degree or electrician trade school. Once you have decided where you want to go, submit your admissions application. You will have to complete several steps, such as sending your official high school transcript or GED, taking and passing either your SAT or ACT, and paying your admissions fee.
Learn who your academic advisor will be. This education professional will be guiding your school career and your class choices. They will tell you what classes to sign up for and why. You will also find out about which general education classes you need to reservethese will round out your education.
Choose your classes with care. Certain electrical engineering classes will focus on different areas of this field. If you are interested in a specific area, for instance, one class may lead you into a microelectronics career a second, into energy and power systems.
You may take courses in microprocessor systems, design of logic circuits, electronics, power systems, electrical circuits, electrical engineering laboratory, electromagnetic fields and waves, and signals and systems.
Electrical Engineering Graduates In The Rail Industry
‘An electrical engineer in the rail industry could work in a number of areas, including signalling, power, point heating and lighting. Their job will involve writing specifications for power distribution systems, reviewing designs and answering technical queries. On the maintenance side, they will be going out onto the rail network to test equipment or replace components.’ Elen Jones, programme engineering manager at Network Rail .
Electrical engineers in the utilities industry may be involved in electrical design or network design work. Or they might be involved in the day-to-day running and maintenance of a site.
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Unusual Careers That Begin With An Engineering Degree
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An engineering degree is an investment that can take your career in many directions. While some educational backgrounds prepare students for a single profession, a degree in this specialization can lead to careers that are as diverse as the many students who choose to enroll in these programs. An intellectually challenging field that has seen great growth over the last several decades, engineering offers a multitude of opportunities in areas as far ranging as music, sports, conservation and construction. In fact, according to a report by the Congressional Research Service, as of 2012 there were more than 1.5 million engineers employed across the nation.
When you earn a bachelors or masters of engineering degree, you may go into the program with the expectation that you will end up working in a traditional role, such as that of civil, mechanical or chemical engineer. However, there are many unexpected twists that your career can take when you have a background in engineering. If you are looking for something outside the norm, consider one of these seven unusual careers for engineers:
