Activity - Engineering Careers

Purpose

It is not too early to start thinking about the world of work. Over 20,000 different job titles exist in the U.S. today, and by the time you join the work force, that number will have increased exponentially. Many of the jobs you will be applying for haven’t even been created! 

Engineering offers more career options than any other discipline. It’s a profession that can take you from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of outer space, from within the microscopic structures of the human cell to the top of the tallest skyscrapers. Whether it’s cell phones, digital cameras, DVD’s, or facial recognition devices that can pick out a terrorist in a crowded football stadium, engineers are behind almost all of today’s exciting technology. Engineers are problem solvers who search for quicker, better, and less expensive ways to use the forces and materials of nature to meet today’s challenges.

Engineering students have their pick of many fields. From electrical to civil to aeronautical to biomedical, every discipline within engineering will lead to an exciting and rewarding career.

In this activity you will research one type of engineering and report back to your class your findings using a PowerPoint presentation.

Equipment

·   Computer with Internet access

·   PowerPoint

·   Engineering Notebook

Procedure

1.      Looking at the list below select an engineering career to research. Check with your teacher about your selection.

2.      Using the available resources research the engineering career and create a PowerPoint slide show that includes the following information. You may add additional information if you wish. Take notes in your engineering notebook.

·   Slide #1 – Title Page/Career name, your name, picture of someone working in this career

·   Slide #2 – Job Description

·   Slide #3 – Work Tasks

·   Slide #4 – Necessary Skills and Abilities

·   Slide #5 – Education/Training required (including college/technical school programs)

·   Slide #6 – Wage Information

·   Slide #7 – Job Outlook (% of growth)

·   Slide #8 – Why this career does/does not appeal to you

Some examples of types of engineers include:

·   Aerospace Engineer

·   Agricultural Engineer

·   Architectural Engineer

·   BioEngineering / BioMedical Engineer

·   Chemical Engineer

·   Civil Engineer

·   Computer/Software Engineer

·   Electrical Engineer

·   Environmental Engineer

·   Industrial Engineer

·   Mechanical Engineer

·   Metallurgy and Materials Engineer

·   Mineral and Mining Engineer

·   Nuclear Engineer

·   Ocean Engineer

·   Transportation Engineer

Some websites that will be helpful for your research are:

·   www.nycareerzone.org

·   http://engineeringk12.org

·   Occupational Outlook Handbook

·   http://www.aiaa.org (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics)

3.      After listening to your classmates presentations and your own research, complete the conclusion questions.

Conclusion

1.      What is the most interesting type of engineer?

2.      What is the most interesting task an engineer performs?

3.      What one thing would make you more interested in becoming an engineer?

4.      What would be the hardest thing about being an engineer?

5.      What is the job outlook for engineers?