Engineering Fundamentals: An Introduction to Engineering, 4th ed.c

16 Chapter 1 Introduction to the Engineering Profession

FE exam, you need to gain four years of relevant engineering work experience and pass another

eight-hour exam (the Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam) given by the state. Can-

didates choose an exam from one of 16 engineering disciplines. Some engineers are registered

in several states. Normally, civil, mechanical, chemical, and electrical engineers seek professional

registrations.

As a recent engineering graduate, you should expect to work under the supervision of a more

experienced engineer. Based on your assigned duties, some companies may have you attend work-

shops (short courses that could last for a week) or a day-long seminar to obtain additional training

in communication skills, time management, or a specific engineering method. As you gain more

knowledge and experience, you will be given more freedom to make engineering decisions. Once

you have many years of experience, you may then elect to become a manager in charge of a team

of engineers and technicians. Some engineers fresh out of college begin their careers not in a specific

area of engineering, but in sales or marketing related to engineering products and services.

As already mentioned, there are more than 20 engineering disciplines recognized by the

professional societies. However, most engineering degrees are granted in civil, electrical, and

mechanical engineering. Therefore, these disciplines are discussed here first.

Civil Engineering Civil engineering is perhaps the oldest engineering discipline. As the name

implies, civil engineering is concerned with providing public infrastructure and services. Civil

engineers design and supervise the construction of buildings, roads and highways, bridges,

dams, tunnels, mass transit systems, and airports. They are also involved in the design and

supervision of municipal water supplies and sewage systems. The major branches within the civil

engineering discipline include structural, environmental, transportation, water resources, and

geotechnical. Civil engineers work as consultants, construction supervisors, city engineers, and

public utility and transportation engineers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job

outlook for graduates of civil engineering is good because as population grows, more civil engi-

neers are needed to design and supervise the construction of new buildings, roads, and water

supply and sewage systems. They are also needed to oversee the maintenance and renovation

of existing public structures, roads, bridges, and airports.

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Electrical and electronic engineering is the largest

engineering discipline. Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufactur-

ing of electrical equipment, including lighting and wiring for buildings, cars, buses, trains, ships,

and aircrafts; power generation and transmission equipment for utility companies; electric motors

found in various products; control devices; and radar equipment. The major branches of elec-

trical engineering include power generation, power transmission and distribution, and controls.

Electronic engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the production of electronic equipment,

including computer hardware; computer network hardware; communication devices such as cel-

lular phones, television, and audio and video equipment; as well as measuring instruments. Grow-

ing branches of electronic engineering include computer and communication electronics. The

job outlook for electrical and electronic engineers is good because businesses and government

need faster computers and better communication systems. Of course, consumer electronic devices

will play a significant role in job growth for electrical and electronic engineers as well.

Mechanical Engineering The mechanical engineering discipline, which has evolved over the

years as new technologies have emerged, is one of the broadest engineering disciplines.

Mechanical engineers are involved in the design, development, testing, and manufacturing of

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