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Approved by the assistant dean of the College of Engineering and Technology on Aug. 20, 2024.
Engineers are innovative thinkers who apply the principles of mathematics, science and technology to solve practical problems. You’ll find engineers working on projects that touch upon virtually every industry and sector. They design everything from manufacturing machinery to spacecrafts, and they work on problems ranging from meeting the world’s need for clean drinking water to safeguarding the environment for future generations.
For the aspiring engineer, continue reading for answers to what can you do with an engineering degree?
Grand Canyon University invites prospective students to explore the possibilities at the College of Engineering and Technology. Our engineering degrees offer multiple specializations ranging from biomedical engineering to mechanical engineering to industrial engineering and more.
There are many engineering specialties and subspecialties that students can explore. Here are a few options.
Within those broad categories, there are also subspecialties. After graduation, aspiring civil engineers may decide to focus their career on a subspecialty like geotechnical, structural, water resources or transportation engineering.
Engineers typically work in an office setting, although many make frequent trips out into the field to test their equipment and assess its function.4 Engineers work across a range of industries, depending on their area of specialization (e.g., aerospace or electronics).
For example, mechanical engineers may work in the following settings:5
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The simplest definition of engineering is that it involves solving practical problems. To accomplish this, engineers apply the principles of mathematics and physical and/or life sciences.
Engineering is a continually evolving field that presents a world of possibilities for those who are curious about how things work. An engineering degree program is designed to empower you to make positive contributions to the field that improve society in some way.
Engineers are responsible for designing everything from the International Space Station to prosthetic limbs to airports.1 Early engineers built the many wonders of the ancient world, including the Great Wall of China, the Parthenon and the Pyramids of Giza.1 In short, engineering represents the potential to build something new that can change the world and improve people’s lives.
There are many great reasons to earn an engineering degree. Job growth is one of them.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 188,000 new jobs are estimated to open for architecture and engineering fields from 2022 to 2032.2
According to the BLS, the following are the median annual wages for different types of engineers as of May 2023:3
Of course, there are many other great reasons to consider earning an engineering degree. Some engineers chose the field because they like being able to exercise their creativity in the workplace. Solving problems often requires out-of-the-box thinking.
Other professionals might choose engineering because they may have the opportunity to develop innovations that affect people’s daily lives. Engineers can help solve water infrastructure problems, ensuring that communities have enough clean drinking water, for example. As an engineer, you can take pride in what you accomplish.
So, are you still wondering, What can I do with an engineering degree? There is a world of possibilities out there. With a solid framework of engineering-related competencies, you could pursue the following types of careers (depending on your degree concentration).
Aerospace engineers design and develop spacecraft, aircraft, satellites and missiles. They also evaluate malfunctioning components of these machines to identify the cause of problems and figure out how to fix them. Some aerospace engineers may have a subspecialty. For example, some may specialize in navigation and control systems, while others specialize in propulsion and combustion.
According to the BLS, about 34% of these engineers work in aerospace product and parts manufacturing, while others work on navigational, measuring, electromedical and control instruments manufacturing.5 About 16% of aerospace engineers work for the federal government.5
If you have a passion for helping people overcome obstacles, you might consider pursuing a career as a rehabilitation engineer, which is a type of bioengineer and biomedical engineer, according to the BLS.6 These professionals have an academic background in biomedical engineering, which they use to design the assistive devices that people with health conditions or impairments need to do everyday activities.
You may find the possibilities in this career to be exciting. This field can include the following types of innovations:7
If you choose an engineering degree program with a specialization in electrical engineering and enjoy using electronic equipment, a career as an electrical and electronics engineer may be ideal for you.
Electronics engineers design and improve electronic parts and systems intended for consumer, scientific, industrial or military use. These engineers may work on anything from satellites to communications equipment to radar and sonar systems.
Are you interested in computers and software? Does the way computers and technology function interest you? If so, then GCU’s software engineering program may be a good fit for you.
This program teaches students how to use computer science practices and technologies to find solutions to software systems. As a software engineer, you could pursue employment across a wide range of industries, given that every industry relies on technology. Careers with an engineering degree that focus on software can be found in:8
