What Engineering Technology Professionals Do
In a broad variety of sectors, engineering technology requires the hands-on application of technological knowledge to engineering tasks. From constructing the infrastructure of our nation to making our transportation and energy systems more efficient, so are engineering technicians and technologists everywhere scientists and engineers are found. Engineering technicians can assist in setting up equipment, performing tests, and gathering data, or they can engage in the final design and creation of the process, using equipment for computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) or prototyping.
Engineering Technology Career Opportunities
Working in the engineering technology sector most likely means spending a lot of time in a laboratory, on a building site, or in a production or industrial facility. You can find work opportunities anywhere from microelectronics to biotechnology to industrial manufacturing, depending on your field of specialization.
A career in engineering technology is more broadly oriented than a typical engineer’s career, concentrating on applied rather than theoretical expertise. Many individuals working in the industry specialize in a specific field, such as aerospace engineering technology, environmental engineering technology, or engineering technology manufacturing, to name a few.
Engineering Technology – The future is Bright
In the coming decade, civil engineering technology is expected to be a rapidly expanding sector due to the continuing need for skilled workers on-site in infrastructure development projects such as transportation, pollution control systems, and construction and road repair. In terms of growth, environmental engineering technology is one of the most exciting fields, and environmental engineering technology helps businesses and governments comply with environmental laws and introduce modern, safer technologies. In the area of industrial engineering technology, where skilled workers are required to evaluate efficiency, decrease costs, and increase productivity, some job growth is also expected.
Engineering Technology Diplomas
Associate’s Degree in Engineering Technology: The minimum training necessary to start a career as an engineering technician is a 2-year associate’s degree. This curriculum includes preparation within one of the many specialties of engineering technology. Associate degree programs are offered by technical universities, community colleges, university extension programs, vocational schools, and the Armed Forces.
Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering Technology: A four-year degree specializing in engineering technology normally prepares you, rather than a technician, to become an engineering technologist or even an applied engineer. You may be able to transfer some or all of your credits to a 4-year degree program if you already have a 2-year degree in engineering technology.
Master’s and Doctoral Degrees in Engineering Technology: Higher-level careers, such as a Master of Science in Engineering Technology, may be open to those who complete a master’s degree (MSET). An advanced degree will teach you and prepare you for supervisory roles with a more sophisticated skillset. There are rare doctorates in engineering technology, but some engineering technicians choose to pursue a Ph.D. in management or a particular engineering discipline.
Engineering Technology Salaries
The U.S.BLS estimates that the median national annual salary for environmental engineering technicians is $ 49,170 for the 2018-19 Occupational Outlook Handbook of the Bureau of Labor Statistics; $ 49,080 for civil engineering technicians; and $ 53,330. for industrial engineering technicians. Actual wages can vary greatly depending on field specialization, venue, years of experience, and some other variables. National long-term employment growth forecasts do not reflect economic or employment conditions at the local and/or short-term level and do not guarantee actual job growth.