Forget everything you thought you knew about engineering; this field is hotter than ever and applicable to an increasingly vast array of specialties. Whether your passions lie in health care, technology or design, a Bachelor of Science in Engineering could be your ticket to a deeply fulfilling career.
Why Engineering?
The engineering field is bursting with potential. Engineers are in high demand across a range of fields and can find work in just about any setting or environment imaginable. Those with engineering degrees possess the ultimate in transferable skills.
Job opportunities often prove a top source of motivation for aspiring engineers. Experts from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics(BLS) anticipate the addition of over 140,000 engineering jobs by 2026. These positions tend to deliver impressive wages, with the BLS reporting a median annual engineering income of $91,010 in 2016. Wages can vary based on the employee's industry and niche; many engineers earn well over six figures.
Of course, there's more to engineering than job prospects and income alone. This field can be uniquely rewarding for analytical thinkers who thrive when pursuing detail-oriented projects. Logic is key, but creativity is just as important. Innovation is the name of the game, with professionals continually thinking of new ways to make products or services safer, more efficient and of excellent quality.
Many engineers take satisfaction in knowing that their daily efforts benefit millions of people. Engineers play a central role in making groundbreaking medical discoveries, developing safer products, and thinking up eco-friendly innovations that can make our world a safer and more beautiful place. They're proud to make a difference in their community and on a national, even international scale.
Choosing an Engineering Concentration
Engineering is a vast field with many specialties — each of which requires its own unique skill set. Therein lies much of the appeal of this profession; it can accommodate people with a variety of natural gifts and interests.
Choosing an engineering niche can be understandably difficult for students who may not yet understand the field or how their personal talents might help them succeed in a specific area. First, however, it helps to know which concentrations are available and what they entail. Top options at Geneva College include:
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical engineering draws on biology, chemistry and, of course, engineering principles to improve health outcomes for broad populations. Those with biomedical engineering expertise often work in health care, medical research or pharmaceuticals.
Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineering is a broad field that can involve the creation and manufacturing of plastics, medicines, fibers, paints and a variety of other chemicals or materials. It's an ideal concentration for students who love chemistry and hope to apply this passion in a practical setting.
Civil Engineering
Students with a natural eye for design often enter civil engineering, which involves the planning and execution of large-scale infrastructure. Civil engineering graduates may pursue work in city planning, construction management
Computer Engineering
Technologically-gifted students often find themselves gravitating towards computer engineering, which integrates principles of electronic engineering with computer science. Computer engineers draw on advanced skills in both fields to develop and implement more efficient computer-based systems.
Electrical Engineering
Drawing on the physics and math of electricity, electrical engineers design and implement electrical systems for both small and large-scale projects. The skills you gain in electrical engineering could prepare you to enter a variety of industries, such as transportation, industrial electronics or even robotics.
Environmental Engineering
An increasingly essential branch of engineering, environmental engineering strives to protect both people and the world in which we live from the adverse impacts of environmental degradation. Environmental engineers work hard to reduce pollution, manage waste, protect vulnerable populations from radiation and address the threats of climate change.
Mechanical Engineering
Another branch of engineering well-suited to design enthusiasts, mechanical engineering involves the creation, implementation
Interdisciplinary Engineering
Engineering concepts can be applied in almost any field imaginable. If you hold a specific vision for your future, you may be best suited to Geneva's BSE in Interdisciplinary Engineering. You'll work closely with your advisor to develop a course blueprint that connects your engineering endeavors to a niche field.
When selecting an engineering concentration, it's important to take a close look at your unique interests, personality
ABET Accreditation
Geneva College's engineering program is accredited by ABET (the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) — a well-known authority in the applied and natural sciences. The accreditation process is both voluntary and rigorous. To qualify, colleges must complete reports to demonstrate that they've successfully met strict accreditation criteria. Furthermore, ABET's Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ETAC) completes on-campus evaluations. These include facility tours and interviews with students and faculty members.
Based on the ABET's findings, Geneva's engineering students can take comfort in knowing that they are receiving a quality education from an institution recognized for its impressive academic opportunities and record of 100 percent job placement.
If you're interested in pursuing a rewarding career in engineering, it all begins with your Bachelor of Science. Your hard work now will pave the way for a fulfilling career path that allows you to satisfy your natural curiosity as you make a tangible difference in your community.
If you’d like to learn more about professions that enable you to serve wholeheartedly and faithfully in your life’s work or want to learn more about a biblically based, Christ-centered education at Geneva, we’d love to chat with you. For more information on how Geneva College can help you pursue your education goals, please phone us at 855-979-5563 or email web@1718114.net.
Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.
Feb 25, 2019