A career in engineering is rewarding. An engineer’s basic skills like logical thinking, problem-solving, and numeracy, are desirable in most of the business and IT sectors. As their scientific knowledge can be applied in many ways, they have a wealth of options to choose from.
Engineering is a diverse world and the emerging fields like Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Food Science, Fashion technology, and others need engineers. The studies indicate that 2 million engineering jobs will be created by 2020.
This article explores the major career options for an aspiring engineer with reference to emerging technologies.
Table of Contents
Seven Emerging Career options for Engineers
1.Artificial Intelligence Engineer (AI Engineer)
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are creating an impact in almost all segments of daily life. More companies are adopting artificial intelligence technologies to create the next generation of software solutions.
As a result, a career in AI is more promising and demanding worldwide. A recent report from Gartner states that 2.3 million new jobs will be created by 2020. According to indeed job alerts, the average salary of AI engineer is $140,866 and is one of the highest paid technical job.
Apart from the subject knowledge, AI engineers must have business skills like analytical problem solving, creative thinking and knowledge in the industry they are working for. The industrial knowledge helps to gain an overall view of the business and implement AI technology for business purposes. This can bring the real transformation which is much-needed in today’s business.
2. Fashion Engineer
The fashion industry today aspires to have an engineering touch in all the innovations of clothing. The companies are looking ways to incorporate technology into clothing like creating next- generation smart wear, viable 3D clothing solutions, and more.
The options are not just limited to design, but also in developing machines that can produce clothing. If you are inclined towards fashion and pursue engineering, then this field is the right option for you.
3. Food Engineer
The food engineers are employed in food processing, food machinery, packaging, manufacturing, instrumentation, and control. Food Science and engineering is a multi-disciplinary field that combines microbiology, applied physical science, chemistry, technology, and related industries.
The food engineering experts actively involved in creating 3D printing of foods, perfecting the taste of goods, preserving and packing the food safe. If you have a love for food and engineering, then food engineering is a better career option for you.
4. Robotic Engineer
Robotic engineers are in demand as they can deal with industrial design, mechanical maintenance, algorithm creation, autonomous robots, behavioural control of robots, social implications of robots, and so forth. Moreover, being a robotic engineer, you can be one of the special contributors to the ‘Internet of Things.’
5. Environmental Engineer
The demand for environmental engineers is raising as they can design green energy systems. It includes windmills, hydropower deployments, or solar infrastructures.
The areas of demand for environmental engineers include waste management, recycling, and methods to reduce air and water pollution. The companies and government are taking more greener initiatives and this has increased the demand for environmental engineers.
6. Data Science and Computational Engineering
The emerging engineering professions have a combined element of mechanical and electrical engineering, principles of data analytics and computer programming. It enables professionals to address problems related to logistics, Energy, Physics, or Data using computer algorithms, statistical modelling, and other data techniques.
A specialization like earning a data science certification would help you succeed in the career.
7. Virtual and Augmented Reality Engineering
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies are being integrated into e-commerce, real estate, gaming, advertising, and is a top priority for tech firms like Facebook, Google, or Apple.
It is estimated that the VR market alone would be of $33.9 billion worth by 2022. The software and hardware experts capable of creating the AR/VR devices for businesses and consumers are in great demand.
There are several flexible certification programs available in data science, bioengineering, Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering, electrical engineering, and, so forth.
