It's no secret that engineers get paid more than anyone else. In 2013, for example, new engineers started working with salaries that were 50% higher than other specializations, and petroleum engineers earn more than double the average salary of a college graduate.
Many people are afraid to try their hand at this area, but if you try to read this article you will have the opportunity to do so. Here is what WikiHow offers you to do.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: In high school
Step 1. Choose a science-oriented high school
It will help you get into an engineering college and make it easier.
- Get as much math and science lessons as possible.
- If you can, take some in-depth courses. Many suggest advanced math courses, but not all schools offer them.
Step 2. Take extracurricular courses; these also help you in the preparation
- Check if there are any preparatory summer courses in engineering. Many of them are fun, and you can get learning faster.
- Find yourself a fun engineering hobby. You can have fun, make money, and at the same time take the road of the engineering sector. You could fix computers, build speakers, design websites.
- Find a mentor who is an engineer.
- Don't worry about playing sports. Just look at the athletes and think, "They will work for me someday."
Step 3. Don't worry about joining the best university
Engineers are paid well regardless of which university they attended.
Sure, engineers from big universities like Stanford and MIT in the US can earn as much as $ 150,000 at age 23, but in reality engineers from any good university are just as good
Step 4. Start thinking about what kind of engineering you are interested in
You don't have to decide right away, but it's good to think about it.
- Petroleum engineers are paid more, but most of the jobs are far from the big cities.
- Aerospace engineering is very interesting (fighter aircraft construction), but job opportunities may be few if the defense budget is cut.
- In the short - and probably also in the long - term, there are an infinite number of job opportunities in the computer engineering sector.
Method 2 of 3: At the University
Step 1. Pay particular attention to your first year of university
Don't overdo the commitments, as they can become unbearable. Do everything you can, get busy, and don't give up!
- Even if you have passed the entrance test, you should start the course from the first semester of university and not skip any lessons, unless you feel really safe. Plus, repeating these initial lessons will increase your positive college credit.
- Be aware that some engineering schools have "selection" courses. Professors try to push aspiring engineers to give up. We don't actually know why they do it, and no, it's not cool. But realize that once you pass a course or two, it will all be downhill and it will be easier from there. In fact, in most schools, engineering students come out with a high grade.
- Attend the lessons, and go to the tutorials. It's not necessary, but do it, unless you know you don't need it.
- Find yourself a study partner - and be brilliant.
- Find someone to help you get through the toughest courses. You need to have a bright and intelligent study partner who is also able to help you when you need to. The best solution is to find one who is attending the next years or who is finishing his studies. If you can afford to pay someone, it can be a good idea. Or you can try some of the new online tutoring websites.
Step 2. Organize a study program that works for you
Until you find an ideal method, do what you can to proceed. Do some additional exercises.
- Some people are happy to work a little every day, others prefer to do everything at the last minute, studying all night.
- Make sure you know what courses are going to be important in the next year of your curriculum, and commit to spending more time on those.
- Know your strengths and weaknesses. Learn which lessons are easier for you, and which ones are more difficult. Plan your study schedule to find a balance.
Step 3. Decide on your discipline
Engineering covers many sectors, but your university may have a specialty.
- Think of the different branches of engineering, such as mechanical, computer science, biomedical, structural, civil, electrical, chemical, and more. Note that computer science is now also present in engineering disciplines in most schools - it is computer engineering.
- If you are a strict person, you would like to be in an engineering school, and not have to deal with those annoying humanities courses. However, if you like variety, consider getting a double specialization in a very different industry.
- Remember that you can also work in other fields while having a degree in engineering, while the reverse is not possible.
- If one day you think of attending a school in the commercial sector, remember that engineering is an excellent basis for a postgraduate master's degree in the management field.
Step 4. Once you have overcome the "obstacle" of the first or first two years, your life will be easier
- You can try to find a mentor who works in a company to help you explore various career options.
- The engineering degree gives you the freedom to work for a large company as well as a small one, or even to be your own boss as a consultant. A mentor, professor, or young graduate can help you understand what you can do.
- Often the professors have jobs for students in the last year or who are on their thesis. This could be research jobs, or helping new students.
Method 3 of 3: Throughout Your Career
Step 1. Learn engineering in your current job
For example, if you are interested in electrical engineering, find a job in a factory and work with engineers. If you are interested in computer engineering, look for a Quality Assurance job in a software company.
Step 2. Decide if you want to go back to school
You can think about taking full-time or part-time courses.
- See if your current employer can finance your engineering course. It is quite common. If there are no formal programs, just ask! Many companies would be happy to invest in the training of an engineer. They could save money by not hiring a new one.
- A good compromise would be to take evening classes for the first semester or two to see if you like it.
- If you are interested in computer engineering, you can simply learn how to code languages on sites like W3Schools (information site for web developers) - but it is totally in English. Alternatively, you can sign up for freelance sites like Upwork and do some work (this is also in English). You won't make any money on Upwork, since there are people from all over the world competing, but it's a great way to learn. Many Silicon Valley companies are desperate for engineers, and they don't always ask for degrees.
Advice
- Discuss the topic with someone who knows before you commit.
- Never overlook the power of a good review.
- Study more during exams than during your regular schedule.
- Try to study more at night and early in the morning.
- Try to study on the computer rather than from books if you are tired or exhausted with instrumental background music.
- Take a bath before studying if you feel sleepy.
Warnings
- Find friends who have the same interests as you. Stay away from bad company, it will save you a lot of tension and help you focus on your goal. Stay away from hostile environments. Never make friends with someone who seems creepy, irritating, or lacking in morality to you.
- Don't make enemies with colleagues or groups of friends. They could create a lot of problems for you.
