“What is engineering technology?” and “what job would I have if I finish this course?”, would be the first two questions that may flash to the mind of an incoming college student looking to get into Engineering. We are in a time where there is an aggressive advancement and development in technologies. These advancements are made possible because we have engineers that are imaginative, creative, and intelligent.
Engineering Technology is a field of engineering where science and applied math are the focus; instead of the concepts of engineering that are so theoretical. Students who have taken this field are more likely to be hired by industries and companies after finishing the course, since more of their time in college years are focused on hands-on activities, fabrication, and practical experiences.
What is Engineering Technology? This really differs from other bachelor of engineering disciplines like electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and biomedical engineering since an engineering technology graduate is not qualified to be an engineer. However, they can still become an engineer if they pursue another bachelor of engineering course. But even if they aren’t qualified to become engineers, they are still in an advantage than bachelor of engineering graduates since they can easily find work as engineering technicians and many others.
Engineering technology covers many different types of engineering like electrical, mechanical, aerospace, industrial, civil engineering, chemical engineering, and environmental engineering technology.
What is Engineering Technology? On Career Opportunity…
If a student only finishes an associate course in engineering technology, then he is likely to be hired as a technician. He can work in any settings like hospitals, health institutions, environmental, construction, manufacturing, and computer science. Engineering technology graduates are equipped with skills through hands-on, so they are also going to do more hands-on experimentation. They are expected to build, install, and maintain products and systems.
Technicians are also capable of testing and implementing newly created products designed by the engineers. On the other hand, those who finished their bachelor’s degree are referred to as technologists. The difference between the technician and technologist is that technologist are taught with more complexity and given more well-rounded education. If hired, they are usually given the position of a supervisor. As the supervisor of the technicians, they are tasked to check and assist the technician in building, installation, testing, and maintaining the products.
What is Engineering Technology? On Annual Salary…
US Bureau of Labor and Statistics cited that in 2008, an engineering technician can earn $40,000-$57,000 a year. The different disciplines of engineering technology also vary in earnings. An aerospace and operation technician has an average annual income of $53,000. Civil engineering technicians earn $40,560, mechanical engineering technicians earn $45,850, an electrical and electronic engineering technician earn $50,660, environmental engineering technicians earn $40,560, electro-mechanical technicians earn $44,720, and industrial engineering technicians earn $46,810 a year.
If you love problem solving, building, and love to work in an environment where technical people gather then an engineering technology academic program may be best for you. You will have satisfaction in engineering technology if you love the practical activities in science and math and want to apply your knowledge in this field, but want to have hands-on activities instead of boggling theoretical concepts. But before making your final decision, you must first understand the answer to “What is engineering technology“ so you won’t feel regret in the end.