It is easy to understand therefore that engineering is quickly becoming one of the largest professions in the United States. Traditionally the academic fields of study are chemical, civil, electrical, industrial and mechanical engineering. However, historical figures from Leonardo Da Vinci, Neil Armstrong to the Palestine Leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Yasser Arafat have all found that with a good engineering education behind them they have had the opportunity to open doors into a wide range of potential careers.

So, why is engineering such a popular study choice in the States, what sort of students does it attract and what opportunities are available to those who graduate? The Indian Student investigates…

Why would I want to become an engineer?

Studies show that by far the number-one cause of unhappiness among people in the United States is job dissatisfaction. Thus it is important to find a career that provides you with enjoyment and satisfaction. After all you might spend around forty years working eight hours or more a day, five days a week, fifty weeks a year. Do you want to dislike every minute of this time, or would you rather do something that you enjoy?
For numerous reasons engineering provides a satisfying field of work

• Variety of career options
• Challenging work
  
• Intellectual development
• A benefit to society
• Financial security
  
• Prestige
  
• Working in a professional environment
  
• Working in a technological & scientific environment
  
• Creative thinking

What sorts of career opportunities are available?

Careers in engineering span the alphabet. The five largest traditional academic fields of study are civil, chemical, electrical, industrial and mechanical engineering. There are also more specialised engineering fields from aerospace to nuclear to biomedical engineering - no other career field offers young men and women such a wide choice of options. The career opportunities are also extremely flexible to the individuals interests and needs for example:

• If you are imaginative and creative, Design Engineering may be for you
  
• If you like laboratories and conducting experiments, you might consider Test Engineering
  
• If you organise and expedite projects, look into being a Development Engineer
  
• If you are persuasive and like working with people, consider a career in Sales or Field Service Engineering
  
• If you enjoy your science and mathematics classes, then these are most strongly resembled by the work of Analytical Engineers

What sort of person do I need to be to study engineering in the USA?

If you like a challenge, engineering could be for you, as there would be no shortage of challenging problems. Generally 'real world' engineering problems are quite different from the problems you solved in schools - those usually had a single correct answer. When you get into the engineering world, virtually all problems will be open-ended. There will be no single answer, no answer in the back of the book, no professor to tell you that you are right or wrong. You will be required to devise a solution and persuade others that your solution is the best one. Also, because engineers spend much of their time solving problems a strong engineering candidate should enjoy problem solving and excel at it.

How do I become an Engineer?

You will need a bachelor's degree in engineering. This will take four to five years, and should be taken in a solid engineering school, which is known for its accomplished faculty members and often conducts important research.

How do I know that it is a quality engineering course?

Good engineering programs are ABET accredited, meaning that they meet the minimum education standards set by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Currently more than 300 colleges and universities offer ABET accredited engineering programs as graduate schools. Future employers in industry and federal government all attach a great weight to the ABET Accreditation. It is important to note that ABET accredits disciplines, not schools. Therefore, within an emerging school, some fields may be accredited may be accredited whilst others are not.

Don't you have to excel academically to become an Engineer?

Although engineering is a demanding major that requires good grades, particularly in mathematics and science, you do not necessarily have to be a 'genius'. Ideally you should rank in the top one-third of your high school class and certainly in the top half.

How can I best prepare myself academically to be accepted onto an engineering course in the States?

Enrich your skills by taking as many mathematics courses as your school offers, as well as laboratory science courses such as chemistry and physics. Because engineers convey ideas graphically and may need to visualize products or processes in three dimensions, courses in graphics, drafting or design are also helpful

Where would I find more information about engineering courses available in the USA?

ASEE (The American Society for Engineering Education) has information about different engineering and technology schools, what programs they offer and grade requirements for domestic and international students at www.academic.asee.org This information is provided by individual universities, so some schools may have pages of information and others only a few listings.

Alternatively you can contact the ASEE direct at:

American Society for Engineering Education
1818 N Street
NW, Suite 600
Washington DC
20036
Tel: +1 202 331 3500
Web: www.asee.org/precollege