Preparing for a Career

Careers with an Engineering Degree

The main criteria in choosing engineering as a career are usually an interest in, and successful completion of, high school mathematics and science courses; a desire and ability to investigate the "why" as well as the "how" of things; and an interest in the creative development of devices or systems that meet specific needs. The engineer of the future will be increasingly concerned with the preservation of our natural environment, the wise use of our natural resources, and the importance of individual creativity and initiative in the framework of a free democratic society. Certainly not all of these interests will apply to everyone, but they may be used as a rough guide.
Academic advisors of the College are glad to consult with high school or transfer students who are faced with a critical career choice or with the problem of choosing the school that best suits their interests and abilities.

First-year and undeclared students with questions in this regard may benefit from a visit to the Engineering Advising Center, http://www.engin.umich.edu/students/advising.

Registration as Professional Engineer

Modern civilization has found it necessary to regulate the practice of persons whose activities deal with the protection of life, health, property, or other rights.
A profession such as engineering is judged by the qualifications and competency of all who use its name; therefore, to provide the public with a clearly recognizable line of demarcation between the engineer and the non-engineer, the state establishes standards and provides the legal processes associated with the registration of individuals and their practices as professional engineers.

In Michigan, the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers provides an opportunity for students during their senior year to take the first half of a 16-hour, two-part examination as the first step toward registration, provided: (1) the engineering degree is awarded within six months after the examination; and (2) the degree program has been accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

The first half of the exam covers the fundamentals common to all engineering fields of specialization, including mathematics. After a minimum of four years of experience, which may include one year of graduate study, the applicant will take the second half of the examination, which will involve the application of engineering judgment and planning ability.

On completion of registration, an engineer establishes professional standing on the basis of legal requirements and receives authority to practice the engineering profession before the public. While state laws may differ in some respects, an engineer registered under the laws of one state will find that reciprocal agreements between states generally make possible ready transfer of privileges to other states.

Other Careers

There are numerous career options with an engineering undergraduate degree. While most graduates become engineers or continue with their schooling to receive an advanced engineering degree, an increasing number of Michigan Engineering graduates are pursuing non-engineering careers. Engineering is an excellent start to professional training in medicine, the law, or business.

Many engineering graduates continue their education in medical school, receive their J.D. degrees at a law school, or go after a master's degree in business. Still other graduates find that their engineering knowledge is put to good use in many communications fields, particularly journalism. A person's ability to clearly communicate increasingly technical information to mass and targeted audiences is a skill that is in much demand.

Whatever your career path, the College of Engineering has an excellent resource available to assist you in your search. Learning about careers and job-seeking skills is an education that runs right along with the engineering program. Those undergraduates-from their first year through graduation and beyond-who take advantage of the wealth of services offered through the Engineering Career Resource Center (ECRC) are among the College's most successful alumni. These services range from skill-building to on-the-job experience.

Engineering Career Resource Center

The College of Engineering considers the preparation and the transition of its students in successful careers central to its overall mission. The opportunities and environments that require the comprehensive academic preparation received at the College of Engineering are broad and expanding. As a result, students must become much more proactive in thinking about and securing careers that match their needs and goals.

The Engineering Career Resource Center (ECRC) recognizes that defining one's career path can be a challenging goal, and ECRC is here to support students' efforts. Services include the arrangement of employment interviews on campus (October-December and January-March) for graduating students and students seeking co-op and internships. ECRC provides information about position openings, career guidance and volumes of employer/career information. The center maintains an online system for on campus interview sign-up and job postings specifically geared toward Michigan Engineering students and graduates.

Students receive opportunities to explore careers in many industry sectors and to meet employers through multiple workshops and company days coordinated by the ECRC. Workshops include but are not limited to: Strategies for Effective Interviewing, Negotiating the Job Offer, Job Search Strategies, Résumé Writing, and Online Access-Getting Started.
Internships and cooperative education positions are available and encouraged as a valuable way to identify and pursue potential careers, as well as a great source of additional income. Students may start searching and competing during their first year in anticipation of sophomore status (25-54 hours). The ECRC coordinates and provides support to registered internship and cooperative education students. Go here for more details on cooperative education programs.

International students should be aware that some placement activity may be limited, by employer request, to United States citizens and permanent residents. In the past, employers involved in national defense work have usually interviewed only U.S. citizens.

Other Career Advising

In addition to ECRC career services on North Campus, the Central Campus Career Center office in the Student Activities Building is an excellent resource. The offices work cooperatively to provide a wide range of services for engineering students. The Career Center offers numerous workshops, employer information, a career library, and many additional services for your career development.