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Ann Sullivan Thomas

Mr. Alburger

English III Honors

25 January 2018

Career in Engineering

Many believe the career of an engineer strictly includes designing, building, or

maintaining engines and machineries. However, those in this profession define an engineer as

someone who uses logical thinking, problems solving, and teamwork to improve today's

technology, living, and workforce. The introduction of engineering dates backs to Ancient Egypt

approximately the 27th century BC and the Civil War. From the past to present, many important

scholars have helped pave the way for the future in this field. Those who have influenced

engineering include (but do not limit) King Djoser, Archimedes, Leonardo da Vinci, and Galileo.

The broad career of engineering includes many different fields. The most popular types of

engineering consists of civil, mechanical, industrial, electrical, biomedical, and health and safety.

All types of engineering require at least a Bachelor’s degree. After years of schooling, engineers

build the future through solving problems, innovating, and advancing technology.

Engineering dates back to the Civil War when the troops needed to travel quickly and

sufficiently by taking the shortest path possible. In order to cut down on travel time, the current

engineers created bridges to travel over water, roads to connect towns, and railroads to move

supplies and troops. “In just four days, Keigwin's augmented regiment built four bridges, with a

total length of 450 feet” (Army). Building bridges incorporates what today people refer to as

civil engineering. This building project required critical thinking, mathematics, and problem
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solving, all of which display skills engineers use today. While the engineers began building the

railroads, they encountered numerous problems. The bayous stretched wide over the land, the

rivers had rapid currents, and the quicksand presented them with many challenges (Army). The

important skills of an engineer came into play when solving the various problems involving

building the railroad and bridges for the troops.

Many important people have influenced engineering today and introduced it globally. An

ancient Egyptian pharaoh named King Djoser built the first step pyramid complex at Sappara for

his kings. This ancient Step Pyramid became known as one of the first sights that incorporated

engineering in Egypt around the 27th century BC (Careers). This pyramid now appears as one of

the wonders of the ancient world and gained recognition as the first monumental stone structure

(Careers). The monumental structure required a tremendous amount of planning, problem

solving, and mathematics, which encompasses the skills of an engineer. While building the Step

Pyramid, the engineers had to complete it without using theories or formulas due to the lack of

knowledge at this time. The engineers and builders used logical thinking and problem solving

skills which display two main skills of a successful engineer. While the builders planned and

built the pyramid, they opened the door to future engineers; the workers started to form theories

and formulas for their successors.

Another important philosopher who influenced the commencement of engineering

includes Archimedes. Archimedes, the most famous inventor and mathematician in Greece,

invented a variety of machines during his lifetime. The machines he invented include pulleys and

the screw pump device. Construction sites use pulleys when trying to move heavy objects from

one place to another. Elevators, found in business buildings, use pulleys to function. Many pieces
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of exercise equipment also use pulleys to operate. The screw pump that Archimedes also

invented pumps fluids close to the screw's axis which moves liquids from one end to another in

an orderly manner (Careers). This philosopher wrote the first publication that discusses the law

of lever and the center of gravity called ​On the Equilibrium of Planes.​ This books also addresses

the way Archimedes calculated the areas and gravity of many geometric shapes (Careers).

Archimedes played a huge role in the history of science and math used in engineering today. He

became the first to calculate formulas that people currently use in geometry therefore solving

problems more accurately. The screw pump and the pulley exemplify the profound work of an

engineer to those that follow.

Leonardo da Vinci and Galileo introduced the power of observing through scientific

observation and the physical science of structural engineering during the Renaissance (Careers).

Da Vinci strived to create new machines and better conditions for people and animals through

engineering. In his early life, he created designs for churches, canals, and the first ever self

moving robot (Sniderman). The work Da Vinci completed in his earlier years, regarding creating

bridges, people today call civil engineering. “Da Vinci was the first systems engineer, creating a

new attitude about understanding how machines worked” (Sniderman). He then worked to

improve the performance of machines and helped design bridges. Da Vinci displayed the tasks of

a present day mechanical, civil and industrial engineer which explains why people discuss him to

this day.

The path to obtain a career in engineering begins with a strong education. A required four

year engineering degree sets an engineer up for success and the education following only

benefits them more (What Education). The first year of college presents the engineering student
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with the opportunity to learn about the numerous paths in engineering. The second year becomes

a more specific education when the student declares which type of engineering they would like

to focus on for the remainder of college. The student may choose to specialize in industrial,

electrical, mechanical, biomedical, health and safety, or civil engineering, to name a few. From

sophomore year until graduation, the student will study specifically the one type of engineering

they have declared as their chosen major. Many colleges and universities use this structure to

educate their students. With engineers graduating with a Bachelor’s degree, this ensures all

engineers will have the proper knowledge and preparation for the workforce.

An optional but very rewarding step in becoming an engineer includes obtaining a

graduates degree. An MBA, Master of Business Administration, pairs well with a Bachelor's

degree in engineering (Careers). A student could also further his/her education with a graduates

degree in engineering (Careers). This allows the student to expand and specialize his/her

knowledge on the broad subject of engineering. By obtaining a graduates degree, this will

present the engineer with more challenging jobs but greater rewards.

The United States has many great options for engineering schools and one of best lies in

North Carolina. U.S. News & World Report ranked North Carolina State University in 2017 as

the 32nd best undergraduate engineering program in the nation (NC). This university also ranked

10th in biological/agricultural engineering, 16th in chemical engineering, and 14th in civil

engineering competing with colleges all over the country (NC). With NC State having ranked

within the top 50 best undergraduate engineering program in the country ensures to the engineer

that the education provided fully prepares an individual for the workforce, sets one up for

success, and obtains a great education in college. North Carolina State University tuition totals
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around $23,700 with 22,686 undergraduate students (NC). The Massachusetts Institute of

Technology (MIT) currently offers the best out of state engineering program in the country. MIT

offers a private education with tuition around $58,240 and with about 5,500 students. The

engineering school at MIT contains 60 percent of the total student body (The 50). These name

just two great engineering schools among many in this country.

The career of engineering breaks down into many categories based on what each group

solely specializes in. The most popular types of engineers includes civil, industrial, mechanical,

electrical, biomedical, and health and safety. The different types of engineers all focus on

problem solving and logical thinking but in different subject areas. The high demand of

engineers all over the country result in the employment of engineers found in almost all

businesses today. The states that currently have the highest yearly salary for engineers consists of

Texas and Alaska (Wages). Alaska and Texas have a high demand for engineers due to the

amount of land and location of these states.

One type of engineering encompasses civil engineering, which in North Carolina makes

$78, 210 a year on average (Wages). In Alaska a civil engineer earns the most out of any state

averaging $107, 600 a year (Wages). A civil engineer has many duties centered around public

and private sectors. Civil engineers design, maintain, and administer these sectors: roads,

bridges, tunnels, dams, airports, sewage treatments (What Industrial). One of their many jobs

include deciding where to locate these sectors and making sure they meet all quality standards.

Civil engineers have to submit applications for possible building projects to verify that the

buildings designs meet all of the regulations. A task for these engineers would include building a

bridge to connect two areas over a river or assessing potential risks for those living around a
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possible waste management plant. Civil engineers have importance due to their constant

attention on private and public sectors and ensuring they meet all qualifications.

An industrial engineer’s overall goal involves figuring out the most effective way of

completing any given task. This may involve decreasing the amount of time supplies sits in a

warehouse before it gets shipped to a customer or figuring out the safest way for a construction

worker to accomplish their everyday job. One of the many roles of an industrial engineer

includes figuring out the most effective way to import, store, manufacture, and export a product

(What Is). These engineers work to improve their customer’s satisfaction and experience

working with a company. They also increase the ability to do more with less to eventually

improve a company's revenue. A job these engineers would solve includes figuring out the most

efficient way to move a large piece of machinery into a small warehouse. Every business benefits

from industrial engineers because a company always looks to improve and figure out the most

effective and successful way to run a business. Some of the most common problems industrial

engineers solve pertain to deadlines, number of employees needed to complete a project,

available technology, work environment, and costs. An industrial engineer in the state of North

Carolina earns on average $79, 470 a year (Wages). In Alaska, the most financially rewarding

state for an industrial engineer, earns $116, 730 a year (Wages). Industrial engineers overall

improve a company and most effectively complete a job.

An average mechanical engineer in the state of North Carolina acquires $81, 550 a year.

In Alaska a mechanical engineer makes on average $123, 660 a year. “Mechanical engineers

design and oversee the manufacture of many products ranging from medical devices to new

batteries” (What Mechanical). They design power producing machines, such as electric
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generators or air compressors, and power using machines, such as refrigerators and washing

machines. The entire design process may take up to years to complete due to drawing up a plan,

building the product, testing the product, putting the product through production, and then selling

the product (What Mechanical). Throughout that process many problems may occur where the

important skill of problem solving comes into hand. Trial and error, used when constructing the

best design possible, demonstrates a useful skill of an mechanical engineer when designing a

machine. A popular task for mechanical engineers includes testing their protype before it enters

production to ensure its success or examine equipment failures when one may occur (What

Mechanical). Mechanical engineers improve one’s everyday life by creating machines to make a

difficult task easier.

Electrical engineers in North Carolina have an average yearly salary of $89, 730

(Wages). The state where electrical engineers have the highest salary includes those who work in

Alaska, making $111, 540 a year (Wages). Electrical engineers test, construct, advise, and

administer the manufacturing of electrical equipment which includes motors, radars, power

generators, automobiles, aircraft and electrical switch boards (What Do). A major tasks for an

electrical engineer involves coming up with new ways to use electrical power. Electrical

engineers apply physics and mathematics to their everyday job when solving issues and coming

up with new electrical plans. The industries that employ most electrical engineers relate to

renewable energy, mobile networking, Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, or finance

(What Do). These industries all have a high demand for electrical engineers' unique skills

especially in Alaska.

A biomedical engineer in North Carolina earns $86,920 on average each year (Wages).
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The high demand of biomedical engineers in Alaska earns the average person about $152,180 a

year (Wages). These engineers design biomedical equipment and devices such as body part

replacements, internal organs, feeding pump, stretchers, and surgical microscope to name a few

(What Biomedical). They provide technical support for the equipment by demonstrating how to

use it, repair the broken parts, or trying to improve the way it performs. Biomedical engineers

evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the equipment found in hospitals and doctors offices

as well as train those using the equipment. These engineers can make recommendations on

which equipment best suits the procedure. A day to day job for a biomedical engineer consists of

meeting with future clients to understand what type of equipment they need and then

demonstrating how the equipment works. Biomedical engineers may work in a hospital, office

building, manufacturing plant, or a research facility (What Biomedical). The schooling required

to become this type of engineer includes graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in biomedical

engineering (What Biomedical). Those who want to expand their knowledge in this area of

engineering may continue on and earn a masters degree in biomedical engineering which

qualifies these engineers for research and supervisory positions in their workplace (What

Biomedical). This graduate program focuses more on research rather than the basics to this field

of engineering. This may take up to two years to earn a masters degree after earning a Bachelor’s

degree. The engineers who strive to learn the most they possibly can have the opportunity to earn

a doctorate degree in this area of engineering. With this level of education, it prepares students

for a number of advanced research projects in specialized areas of biomedical engineering (What

Education). With a doctorates degree this enables the student to specialize even more in this

specific area of engineering such as molecular biology or tissue engineering. “Those who have a
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doctorates degree are very well qualified for lots of jobs and have the opportunity to teach or

research for private or government organizations” (What Education). This degree can take up to

four additional years of college following a Bachelor’s degree. Biomedical engineers design the

essential equipment for those to live a normal life.

A health and safety engineer has an average salary of $73, 560 a year in North Carolina

(Wages). Engineers working in this field living in Alaska, the most financially successful state

for health and safety engineers, earn around $119, 310 a year (Wages). The main job for these

engineers include reviewing safety standards for employees and recommending improvements

on the safety of a job (Health). They install safety devices to ensure protection on machinery to

those working around it. A health and safety engineer looks over plans for new machinery to

make sure it meets all safety regulations in place (Health). They may identity potential or current

hazards in a workplace and come up with solutions on how to make it safer. A health and safety

engineer will complete many inspections involving machinery to check it meets all safety

qualifications as well as investigate any accidents taken place on a site. A health and safety

engineer ensures safety around construction projects and work areas.

In order to set an engineer up for success, no matter which type one specializes in, an

engineer needs certain necessary skills. The most important skills and abilities for an engineer

include reading comprehension, critical thinking, system analysis, active listening, and

mathematics (Knowledge). An important ability for an engineer involves a strong reading

comprehension due to the many documents, instructions, emails, and guidelines one will have to

read. Critical thinking plays a role when having to think outside of the box to form judgement

and solve problems. This may come into play when having to come up with a new plan for
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building a power using machine because the first one had an equipment failure. Critical thinking

also includes thinking of what the outcome of a product concludes to or changing a component in

a machine. System analysis becomes useful when having to figure out how a machine works,

moves, and functions. This skill becomes helpful when trying to improve a product using

information from technology (What Electrical). Engineers use active listening when given very

precise directions that one has to then follow exactly. An important part to active listening

involves asking questions when confusion may arise for clarification. Also, a person must give

his/her full attention when his/her boss or coworkers give important steps for​ ​a big job. If

miscommunication ever occurs, then a major problem may develop. Lastly, but possibly the most

important skill an engineer uses involves strong mathematics skills. This builds a basis to all

engineering, which sets a foundation for their work. If an engineer lacks in an area then all

problems/ solutions may not work out as planned due to a math mistake in one's work. These

necessary skills set an engineer up for achievement.

A day to day life for an industrial engineer starts by arriving at the office around 7:30 and

check any emails that may have reached the person’s inbox after business hours. Then the day

consist of multiple meetings where they may review customers orders and ensure they can ship

customer’s products as soon as possible. An industrial engineer may look over a customer's

review on their experience working with the company and then discuss how they can improve

the overall satisfaction of the client. An industrial engineer will also work with customers who

may need a new part to their product or need the product by a different date. The everyday goal

of an industrial engineer involves identifying ways to make the business better, customers

happier, and employees experience at work more enjoyable (Tindell). By improving the
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customer’s experience, this will eventually improve the overall revenue of the company. An

average industrial engineer works 50-60 hours a week (Tindell) . The work environment for all

types of engineers consists of a highly positive, cooperative, engaged, focused, and helpful

environment. By having a positive work environment makes completing a job more enjoyable.

After researching the field of engineering, this career involves a great quantity of work

where the rewards do not stop at​ ​one's salary but continue mentally from all of the problem

solving completed. Depending on which type of engineering one wishes to pursue, determines

how many years of college a student will attend. This job requires someone who has a love for

math, science, working with others, trial and error, and most importantly, problem solving. There

contains a wide range of engineers that all focus on a different aspects centered around math and

science. This career has come a long way from building pyramids in Egypt to figuring out the

best way to get a product to a consumer but all share the same ideas and basics used today, that

once dated back to Ancient Egypt.

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Works Cited

Army, Thomas F. ​Engineering Victory : How Technology Won the Civil War​. Johns Hopkins

University Press, 2016. Johns Hopkins Studies in the History of Technology.

<​http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e862xna&AN=1083519&site=

eds-live&scope=site&ebv=EB&ppid=pp_2​>

Careers in Engineering.​ Institute for Career Research, 2009. Institute Research.

<​http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e862xna&AN= 276802&

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“The 50 Best Engineering/Technology and Computer Sciences Programs in the World.” ​The Best

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“NC State Among the Best.” ​NC State University ​, <​www.ncsu.edu/about/rankings/​.>

Tindell, Sherri. Personal Interview. 29 January 2018

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<learn.org/articles/What_Education_Do_I_Need_for_a_Career_in_Biomedical_Engineeri

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