Engineering jobs offer a world of possibilities for creative problem solvers

From civil to mechanical to electric, there are so many different kinds of engineering jobs that warrant demystification. So, what is engineering all about?

Engineers make the modern world turn—there are civil engineers and computer science engineers, electrical and aerospace engineers, and mining and chemical engineers, each serving integral roles in order for our world to function.

These professionals design the cars we drive in, the machines that make the tools we use at home, and the bridges we cross over on the way to work. There are so many different kinds of engineering jobs that we could all do with a bit of demystification. So, then, what is engineering all about?

An engineer solves problems, which are rarely simple. Engineering jobs involve the design, manufacturing, and implementation of products, systems, or services. An engineer has to be able to imagine, invent, construct, improve, and plan for the operation of whatever type of material, machine, or system in which they're specialized.

Engineers are the link between the actual needs of society and industrial and commercial applications that meet those needs. To be able to fill that role, engineers have to have an applied science post-secondary education that can cover many domains, including economics, the environment, technical science, and human sciences.

Some engineers work for an industry, bringing new technologies to manufacturing and civil society; others work for the government to develop military, aeronautical, and information systems that serve the state. Many engineers work for the good of humanity through the health and well-being sector. Whatever specialties they involve, engineering jobs today typically include the responsibility to develop products and systems that take the environment into consideration. Some of the various fields of engineering include:

• Information technology
• Aerospace
• Forestry
• Medical and industrial chemistry
• Agribusiness

If you’re interested in some of these engineering jobs, ask yourself if you have the following essential qualities:

• Linear thinking
• Mathematical competence
• A sense of ethics and social responsibility
• Creativity

In Canada, there are three major steps to becoming an licensed engineer with the accreditation “P.Eng” or “ing./Eng.” Once you have that, you can get one of those great engineering jobs.

1. An engineering degree. A university undergraduate degree in a program accredited by the Certification and Engineering Bureau of Industry Canada is required. Keep in mind that going to university does not make you an engineer, just an engineering graduate. After your studies, you will work under the supervision of an engineer and apply for a license that certifies you to practice your profession. That is where the next two steps come in:

2. An engineering internship. An internship as a junior engineer is required before you can become a professional engineer. The duration may vary from one province or territory to another.

3. Examination. The professional practise examination is the final step in getting accreditation as a full engineer. The exam aims to assess your knowledge of the various laws and standards related to the profession.

So, you want to design tunnels? Improve computer technology? Make advances in medicine? Then you are made for engineering. Even if your job is all about solving problems, that does not solve the problem of getting you a job that matches your abilities. For that, take your resume to an employment agency; they will get you started making the world a better place.