From:
http://blackcollegian.com/career/car...2005-2nd.shtml
Outlook for Top 6 engineering Careers: 2004-20012
Biomedical Engineers:
Overview - In 2002, 7,600 biomedical engineers held jobs, with 38% primarily in the pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing and medical instruments and supplies industries.
Nature of the work - Biomedical engineers combine biology and medicine with engineering, biomedical engineers develop devices and procedures that solve medical and health-related problems.
Subjects needed - Biology, chemistry
Personal skills - Helping/teach; Technical/scientific
Work environment - Primarily indoors and at one location
Minimum education needed - Bachelor's degree
Salary - $36,860 to $57,480 to $90,530+; entry level offers in 2003 for BS - $39,126; MS-$61,000
Outlook - Expected to grow faster than average (36% or more) for all occupations through 2012
Chemical Engineers:
Overview - Chemical engineers held about 33,000 jobs in 2002
Nature of the work - Chemical engineers build a bridge between science and manufacturing, applying principles of chemistry and engineering to solve problems involving the production or use of chemicals.
Subjects needed - Chemistry, physics
Personal skills - Communication/ideas; Technical/scientific
Work environment - Primarily indoors and at one location
Minimum education needed - Bachelor's degree
Salary - $45,200 to $65,960 to $93,430+; entry level offers in 2003 for BS - $52,384; MS - $57,857; Ph.D. - $70,729
Certification or licensing - Required for certain positions
Outlook - Little or no growth (0% - 2%) through 2012.
Civil Engineering:
Overview - One of the oldest disciplines; civil engineers held about 228,000 jobs in 2002.
Nature of the work - Civil engineers design and supervise the construction of roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, and water supply and sewage systems.
Subjects needed - Mathematics, physics
Personal skills - Leadership/management; Technical/scientific
Work environment - Indoors and outdoors, primarily at multiple locations
Minimum education needed - Bachelor's degree
Salary - $37,430 to $55,740 to $86,000+; entry-level offers in 2003 for BS - $49,794; MS - $47,245; Ph.D. - $69,079.
Certification or licensing - Recommended
Outlook - Job opportunities to increase about as fast as average - 10% to 20% through 2012.
Computer Software Engineers
Overview - Computer software engineers held about 675,000 jobs in 2002.
Nature of work - Computer software engineers apply the principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis to the design, development, testing and evaluation of the software and systems that enable computers to perform their applications.
Subjects needed - Computer science and mathematics
Personal skills - Mechanical/manipulative; Technical/scientific
Work environment - Primarily outdoors and at one location
Minimum education needed - Bachelor's degree
Salary - $42,710 to $67,670 to $125,000+. Entry level offers in 2003 for BS in computer engineering - $51,343; MS-$64,200. With BS in computer science - $47,109.
Certification or licensing - Recommended
Outlook - Projected to be one of the fastest growing occupations from 2002-2012. Highly favorable opportunities for college graduates with a BS in computer engineering or computer science. Must continue to learn new skills to keep up with rapid changes in computer technology.
Electrical and Electronics Engineers, except Computer:
Overview - Electrical and electronics engineers held about 292,000 jobs in 2002; largest branch of engineering.
Nature of the work - Electrical and electronics engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of electrical equipment.
Subjects needed - Computer science, mathematics, physics
Personal skills - Mechanical/manipulative; Technical/scientific
Work environment - Primarily indoors at one location with some travel
Minimum education needed - Bachelor's degree
Salary - $41,740 to $64,910 to $94,490; entry level offers in 2003 for BS-$49,794; MS-$64,556; Ph.D-$74,283.
Certification or licensing - Voluntary
Outlook - Employment opportunities are favorable and will grow (10%-20%) as fast as the average.
Mechanical Engineers
Overview - Mechanical engineers held about 215,00 jobs in 2002
Nature of the work - Mechanical engineers research, develop, design, manufacture, and test tools, engines, machines, and other mechanical devices.
Subjects needed - Computer science; English; Mathematics
Personal skills - Leadership/management; Technical/scientific
Work environment - Primarily indoors at one location with some travel
Minimum education needed - Bachelor's degree
Salary - $48,426 to $58,710 to $88,610+; entry-level offers in 2003 for BS-$48,585; MS - $54,565; Ph.D. - $69,904.
Certification or licensing - Voluntary
Outlook - Employment expected to grow more slowly than average (3%-9%) through 2012.
Source: Ferguson s Careers in Focus: Engineering, U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Handbook, 2004-05 Edition; and the National Association of Colleges and Employers - 2003 Salary Survey.
Salaries for Engineering Majors
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