Career Outlooks

Power is a top priority in certain careers, and electrical engineers prove this every day, as they handle power supply and power generation. Electrical engineers constantly design, develop, test or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components or systems.

To get an electrical engineering job, you must have at least a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. Earning a master’s degree in electrical engineering makes it easier to reach higher-level positions. In the Gulf Coast region, electrical engineers earn average annual wages of more than $90,000 per year, compared to about $44,600 for all other occupations in the region.

 

Mechanical engineers take on all sorts of responsibilities related to planning and designing tools, engines, machines and many other types of mechanical equipment.

Other mechanical engineering occupations may be involved in research, problem solving, development and testing. The Gulf Coast Region has a large number of organizations that currently face an increasing challenge to fill upcoming vacancies as many baby boomers retire and as others advance to managerial positions.

Conservative estimates indicate the need for 255 new mechanical engineers each year in the Gulf Coast Region. Mechanical engineers earn more than twice the region’s average annual wage for all occupations.

Mechanical engineering has been a popular choice of college students. With more than 225,000 mechanical engineers employed across the nation, demand remains strong for college graduates.

 

 

Civil engineers design things. These might be roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, or water supply and sewage systems. They must consider many factors in their designs, from the costs to making sure the structure will stay intact during bad weather. This is one of the oldest types of engineering.

Many civil engineers manage people and projects. A civil engineer may oversee a construction site or be a city engineer. Others may work in design, construction, research, and teaching. There are many specialties within civil engineering, such as structural, construction, environment, and transportation. Civil engineers usually work in areas where there is lots of manufacturing and businesses. Often they work at construction sites. Sometimes they work in places that are far away from cities. Most engineers work at least 40 hours per week. Some are required to travel.