Comparative to other areas of study, those held within the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) classification continue to prove a springboard to jobs both well paying and rewarding.
With The Great Recession seemingly in the rear view mirror, many companies where engineering students might eventually look for jobs are once again hiring.
Take, for instance, the auto industry. With the bailout of its fellow Detroit automakers as well as its own tough road a memory that is slowly growing distant, the Ford Motor Company plans to hire 5,000 new workers. While a large portion of these jobs are hourly factory positions, Ford will also be hiring salaried positions in product development and quality and information technology.
Speaking of automobiles and the mineral that makes them go, according to Forbes, one of top growing jobs for 2014, along with those in software and web development, is “petroleum engineering,” that is, facilitating the acquisition of hydrocarbons, either in crude oil or natural gas.
If such a thing isn’t your cup of tea, however, on the other side of this are “green jobs,” where those with engineering skills are playing an important role. According to Careerpath and their article on “7 Emerging Jobs”...
Clean-energy jobs outperformed job growth in 38 states and the District of Columbia between 1998 and 2007, the most recent year for which data are available, according to a study by Pew Charitable Trust.
What kind of opportunities are available for an engineering student who is searching for jobs in this field? This list from EngineerJobs.com provides us with at least five, including working in environmental engineering, biofuel engineering, wind energy/wind turbine engineering, solar engineering, or working as a LEED certified engineer or certified energy manager.
Should one land one of the many jobs in this field, not only does one get to put their knowledge and engineering experience to work every day but they also have the satisfaction of knowing they are helping to create a more sustainable future for all of us.
Does a “green job” interest you? Why or why not? What other engineering jobs do you see emerging in the coming years?