Recent U.S. surveys show that even today’s weak economy, there are still opportunities for scientists and engineers to find work.
According to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the country’s engineering workforce of more that 1.7million professionals is projected to grow by 11 percent between 2016 and 2016, according to ASME statistics. The National Science Foundation also conducted studies on the engineering and science labor force and found that technology jobs have seen a strong increase over the past 20 years.
Good starting salaries are also available for scientists and engineers. The National Association of Colleges and Employers(NACE) states that 12 of 15 highest-earning college degrees in engineering are found. Oil and gas engineering start salaries average $83,121. However, industrial, mechanical, and aeronautical engineers can expect to receive offers in the high 50s.
ASME and other organizations advocating science, technology engineering, and math (STEM), are encouraged by the positive employment trends and rise in salaries. ASME promotes continued education and skills improvement, which encourages career advancement and enrichment.
Both early-career and seasoned engineers have numerous resources for continuing education. ASME offers short courses in many disciplines, such as power engineering and bioprocess tech. ASME also offers the Professional Practice Curriculum, which allows engineers in the beginning stages of their careers to access learning modules covering topics like intellectual property and negotiation, team building, risk assessment, and team building.
Engineers might also be able to add skills in strategic planning, marketing, financial systems and project managing to their technical knowledge. Companies need managers who speak both the language of technology and business in order to successfully manage and negotiate projects on the global market.
An engineer working in a changing workplace will need more education than a college diploma. Education must be a lifetime endeavor. For information on engineering workforce development, contact ASME at www.asme.org.
