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Inspiring careers

Engineering affects everyone, everywhere in the world. There's a global shortage of engineers with employers looking for newly qualified workers by the bucket load.

What are your first thoughts when you think about engineers and engineering? All stuffy suits and nerdy know-it-alls; we're talking Geeksville, Arizona right?

Cast aside those misconceptions, like it or not, engineers are the ultimate trendsetters! Fact! Your high-street retailers and ad agencies may have been the first to tell you about the latest ultra-small mobile phones, the must-have fashion accessories or the latest sound systems but - wait for it - chances are that engineers were the driving force that brought these ideas from the drawing board to your shopping list.

Been to movies recently? Or seen the latest stage production? And what about the last gig or festival you went to? A blast, right? See those computer graphics? The special effects? The light show? The bone-shaking bass lines? Pretty amazing huh? Ladies and gentlemen, let us introduce you to the wonderful world of engineering.

Computer programmers, SFX and studio technicians, lighting and sound engineers - all on a mission to bring you the best experience in anything you do. They question what many people just expect. Not content to sit back and go with the flow, they challenge the norm and strive to take technology to uncharted waters, ultimately leading to better lifestyle experiences for us all.

Engineering affects everyone, everywhere in the world. Which is nice. And kind of cool don't you think? And, here's the thing - there's a global shortage of engineers out there. Employers - from big blue chips to start-ups - are looking for newly qualified workers by the bucket load.

Hmmm - food for thought? Worth taking some time out to explore what the engineering industry could do for you?

Well, you're in the right place

There's a route into engineering to suit everyone, whether you want to earn and learn at the same time or whether you'd prefer to stay in full time study.

Step one is to ensure that your knowledge of maths and science is up to a good standard, as these are the mainstays of a career in engineering. Other useful subjects for potential engineers include design & technology and modern languages.

To help you explore your options and progress in the engineering career of your choice, use the menu links on the right to discover more or alternatively here is a quick overview below of some of the career disciplines:

If you've ever considered a career in engineering, you probably thrive on problem solving. That's good, because one of the first problems you'll need to tackle as you explore this broad field is deciding what type of engineer you'd like to be.

You may be aware of the most common engineering subspecialties, like civil engineering (the design of roads, bridges, buildings and the like), computer engineering (the design of computer hardware), and electrical and electronic engineering (the design of electrical and electronic systems, including computer systems and software). But did you know that there are literally hundreds of different job titles under the engineering umbrella in at least a dozen categories?

Engineering roles

Aerospace engineers

Develop aeroplanes, spacecraft, missiles, and other vehicles and machines that fly here in Earth's atmosphere or in outer space. Aerospace engineers who specialise in aircraft are called aeronautical engineers, while those who focus on spacecraft are called astronautical engineers.

Agricultural and biological engineers

Combine their expertise in engineering technologies and biological sciences to develop, for example, agricultural machinery and structures. They also work to solve related environmental problems, such as soil erosion, and create new ways to use agricultural byproducts and natural resources.

Biomedical engineers

Use their knowledge of engineering, medicine and biology to find creative solutions to medical and health-related problems. Some biomedical engineers, for instance, design devices for medical procedures, while others develop artificial organs or artificial joint replacements.

Chemical engineers

Combine engineering and chemistry principles to study the production and uses of chemicals in a wide range of practical applications. For example, it is often a chemical engineer who works on improving food-processing techniques or developing better fertilizers.

Electrical and electronics engineers

Work with a wide range of technology that many of us take for granted and on which all of us depend. Designing, operating and refining devices and systems as diverse as the networks that underpin mobile communications, energy and national defence systems to the smallest devices imaginable in new areas such as nanotechnology. Electrical and Electronics Engineering is all around us and provides a rewarding career for those interested in a technical, management or project management role.

Environmental engineers

Use their backgrounds in engineering, biology and chemistry to solve problems that have an environmental element. They can be involved in everything from controlling water and air pollution to creating effective recycling programs to conducting studies on hazardous-waste management.

Industrial engineers

Typically work in manufacturing facilities, making sure that organisations produce their products as efficiently, cost effectively and safely as possible. Some industrial engineers are involved in designing production processes and factory-floor layout schemes. Others address work site or product safety and health issues so that both workers and the consuming public are protected.

Marine and ocean engineers

Design, build and maintain ships, aircraft carriers, submarines, tankers, tugboats and other large waterborne vehicles. A marine engineer, for example, might select and maintain the machinery on a large ship, while an ocean engineer may be involved in designing and operating an oil rig that's been built out at sea.

Materials engineers

Develop the materials used to create various products. They work with metals, ceramics, plastics, semiconductors and composites to develop everything from clothes and vinyl siding to dinnerware and artificial limbs.

Mechanical engineers

Design tools, engines, electrical generators, internal combustion engines, elevators -- in short, any device that is mechanical in nature.

Mining engineers

Focus on locating, extracting and processing coal, metals and minerals so that those materials can be used by manufacturers and utility companies. For example, a mining engineer may develop a site-specific approach to extracting a mineral deposit efficiently and safely.

Nuclear engineers

Determine the processes, instruments and systems necessary to tap into nuclear energy and radiation. Some nuclear engineers might design nuclear plants, for instance, while others may develop nuclear power sources for spacecraft or innovative diagnostic procedures for physicians.

Petroleum engineers

Oversee searches around the world for new sources of oil and natural gas. They also figure out how those natural resources will be extracted and design the equipment and tools necessary to do so.

As Geraldine Garner writes in Careers in Engineering, "The different types of engineering fields are as numerous and diverse as the skill and knowledge base of engineering professionals."

You can find additional information about specific engineering careers in Monster's Job Profiles and Web sites for the professional associations affiliated with each engineering specialty. Reproduced with permission from Monster.co.uk.

So give yourself the chance to explore the possibilities. Perhaps you'll one day have designs on a career in the diverse world of engineering.