If you're looking for a challenging, rewarding, technical career, you could do much worse than to choose engineering. Engineers, quite simply, use their knowledge of math and science to solve real-world problems. Many engineers are directly responsible for creating and building new things, but are not limited to these tasks. If you've always loved math and science, and love the feeling of creating new things, becoming an engineer might be the perfect career for you. This article will help you learn how to become an engineer.
The journey towards becoming an engineer starts in high school. In order to get into engineering school, you will need good grades in high school, particularly in math and science classes. If it all possible, be sure to take advanced placement classes in these areas. The more math you take before showing up at university, the better off you'll be. Having a basic familiarity with calculus and basic physics before showing up at engineering school lead you greatly in your studies. Additionally, taking these classes will help you decide if studying engineering is really for you. If you do not like these classes in high school, things will only get harder at the university level.
Next step to becoming an engineer is to apply to schools that offer good engineering program. Many schools have engineering departments, while other schools are almost exclusively for engineers. Which school you choose depends on your personal preferences, but try your best to get into a good reputation, as it will aid you greatly when trying to find a job. Be sure to put a lot of effort into your application, particularly with the essay portion. Since engineers are generally not good writers, having an impressive essay can help you stand out from the pack.
So, you applied and got into an engineering school, and are now attending. For the next four years or so, you will be working very hard, completing a rigorous curriculum based around math, science, and specific engineering classes. At some point, you'll have to choose which type of engineering you want to study. Hopefully, your interest will guide you towards a specific area, but if you're having trouble deciding, be sure to visit and talk to people from all different types of engineering, and try to figure which would interest you more. Work hard, get the best grades you can, and you should graduate from school ready to start a career.
If you want to become a professional engineer, you will need to take the FE (fundamentals of engineering) exam. This grueling, daylong test will, if passed, going to the status of engineer in training. This is the first that towards becoming a professional engineer. You will likely take this exam shortly before you graduate. It's hard work, but essential for many fields of engineering.
After you graduate, it's time to find a job. Hopefully, you've managed to snag some internships while you're in school. Use these connections, and any others you might have, to help find yourself a good job. Fortunately, engineers are often in high demand for finding a job after graduation is often fairly straightforward. However, if economy is bad, it may take a little more effort. Keep trying, and you will certainly find something.
So, this gives you a brief overview of what it takes to become an engineer. It's not always easy, but it could be a very rewarding career for those who have the desire and are willing to put in the work.