What does an engineer normally do when they work? Is engineering for me?

Question

i've decided i want to be an engineer (aerospace, mechanical ) when i grow up, i was wondering what an engineer (aerospace or mechanical preferably) normally does do during the day when he works.

The thing is though, i do engineering studies at school ; and i find it very boring ! maybe its just the teacher (whose pretty c**p). I also dont like writing reports all that well. I also dislike considering the environmental affects, recycling, learning the history of particular products, etc.

As a result of this, im not sure if i should be an engineer when i grow up...

So the 2nd question: is engineering the right career path for me?

Answer 1

Engineering is awesome career path. Hey if you find it boring do engineering in the army they'll pay you while your studying. Engineering is so wide you can be behind the desk or overseas rebuilding villages.

Answer 2

As you know, engineering has the largest number of job descriptions of all occupations. It covers everything from drawing plans to actually being on site over seeing the plans built.

Think of all the thousands of jobs between design and working on actually sending the project into space or the air. That means designing machines to build machines, and operating all of those machines.

If you start cataloging the jobs available and what they do, I am sure you will find a job that fits you.

Answer 3

let me answer your questions with respect to chemical engineering.   My field..

**** question 1 ****

well.  whether or not your job is boring depends on the job and the company and the location and your peers and what you put into it...you will understand that one day...

As to what we engineers do besides answer questions on yahoo answers...

I am a chemical engineer.. been one for quite a while.  worked many different jobs in research and management.  all over the world...So I've been around a bit...Here's my two cents on what chemical engineers do...

Chemical engineers  usually work in one of four areas.  Project engineering , process engineering, research, or management.  

Project engineering is this.   You work for a company.   The management of the company decides to expand a plant or build a new plant or add a new production line, or replace existing worn out equipment, etc.   They assign an engineer to the project.  The engineer works with the project owners to develop a project scope and obtain funding from the business.  Then the engineer works with outside construction companies to design the structures and processes, obtain permitting, develop the land, manage the labor, etc to construct the project.  Once the project is completed (including blueprints, and process flowdiagrams electrical drawings,etc), the project is turned over to the appropriate business unit.  Projects could be simple or complex.   They can be local to you or overseas.   In my career, I have managed multi-million dollar projects in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Europe etc.. Very exciting....

Process engineering is managing a chemical process.   Meaning you monitor process variables and respond to abnormal conditions.  You work with the R&D folks to develop process improvements.  Work with project engineers to implement new projects.   Manage the work force.  Work with external customers.  etc...  In my own career, I have managed chemical processes all over the world.  

Research engineers.  Generally this could probably be broken down into two more categories.  Process and product.   ChE's working in process engineering are generally conducting research to understand how products are impacted by equipment and are designing new equipment to produce and improve products.   Those working on product development are designing products and then figuring out methods to make them.   In my career, I have designed reactors similar to rocket engines, mixing equipment, heat transfer, packaging, reaction vessels, cooling systems, water purification plants, etc.  I have also designed a multitude of products and currently hold 27 patents....exciting...

Management.    ChE's will generally always be in management role after a few years.  Managing people, processes, etc.   Better yet, ChE's have a great opportunity to advance into upper management.   Especially ones with 10+ years experience and MBA's.   By upper management, I mean operations directors, vice presidents,  CEO's etc.   In my career, I have managed research groups, global production etc.   Am currently VP of technology at a high tech company....Excellent job...

A couple of other things to think about.   In general, every chemical company, every company who manufacturers anything for that matter, uses chemical engineers in one form or another.  Sometimes as consultants.  Sometimes on staff.  Companies are everywhere.  So are jobs.. Literally, I could pick any city in the US and find a job near there...

Also important is money... The average household income in the US is $43k/yr.   Starting salaries for BA/BS engineers (that's a 4 year college degree) is nearly $60k/year.   Almost 50% higher than the average household income of all US residents.   If you get a four year degree, then find and marry someone with similar background and income, your household income will be well over $100k / yr.  that would put you in the top 5% of household ( based on income) almost immediately.   With 401k contributions, stock options, etc, you'll be able to afford a house, cars, vacations, kids, retirement, etc.

**** question 2 ****

Let me start with this...a few words about getting a degree in engineering.

Chemical engineering requires a strong knowledge of math, chemistry, and physics.  Many college courses are essentially the application of differential equations to chemical systems and chemical production equipment.  And they are very difficult courses.  In industry, we also use statistics, design of experiments, financial equations, etc to make decisions and run our companies.  And, of course, we are trained to communicate.  We constantly present business plans, strategies, and status reports to management, investors, etc.    Other engineering fields have other focuses.. Electrical engineering or Ceramic engineering would not focus on chemical process but may focus on computer chip manufacturing equipment.  and so on...

So is engineering right for you?.. that's difficult.  I do not know anything about you.  But, if what I have written here sounds interesting and you would like a job working in technology making good money with the opportunities to travel around the world, and you are willing to work fairly hard for 4 years of your life, then I'd say yes.    If your looking for a PhD, I'd suggest electrical or chemical engineering.   maybe even getting a BA/BS in chemical then going on to get a PhD in Biochemical engineering.  There are many opportunities in the pharmaceutical world...