Engineering is a subject that is very varied and extensive, with many different types of engineering available to study and pursue a career in. If you know that you want to pursue a career as an engineer, choosing the right specialism for you can help to give your career a boost. Some engineering specialisms are in higher demand than others, while others tend to have more generous rates of pay in comparison to some. Because of this, it's worth considering your requirements and preferences when it comes to your career, along with finding out more about each specialism to enable you to make an informed decision regarding the options that will be best for you based on a range of factors such as your previous experience, skills, and career goals.

All types of engineering will generally involve a problem-solving aspect and a strong focus on coming up with solutions. However, there are several things to consider when choosing the right engineering discipline for you. Along with considering what you are most interested in when it comes to engineering, you may also want to consider more practical factors such as the career outlook, demand, average pay, and options for career progression and advancement. If you're considering applying to college to kick-start your career as an engineer, here are some of the main specialisms to consider.

Computer Engineering:

Computer engineers are enjoying increasing demand these days as technology becomes more and more important to our everyday lives. With the growth of tech as rapid as it is right now, computer engineers are professionals that are always needed to work with the design and prototyping of computer software and hardware. It's an IT-related career choice that has strong links to computer science along with electrical engineering. Many students who decide to opt for this choice of specialism in engineering will study it alongside a relevant IT subject.

Computer engineering can lead into a wide range of different career options including software careers. If you are interested in becoming an expert in the smaller details of how computers operate and have good science, math and technology skills, this could be an ideal career choice for you.

Chemical Engineering:

Chemical engineering is a highly scientific choice of discipline. Professionals in this field work with scientific processes to produce various materials or substances. It is a multidisciplinary field, combining both natural, experimental and life sciences throughout the engineering process. Chemical engineers are required to be experienced in a range of scientific subjects including, but not limited to, biology, mathematics, biochemistry, microbiology and economics.

If you are interested in the natural sciences or life sciences, this type of career might be an ideal choice for you. It is a specialism that is ideal for somebody with a very analytical mindset and a keen interest in the chemical processes behind the production of some of the everyday items that we all use. Chemical engineering covers various different specialist areas within this discipline, including process engineering, plant design, transport phenomena and more.

Civil Engineering:

Civil engineering is a field that involves the professional practice of designing and developing different infrastructure projects. This might occur on a smaller scale such as the development of roads and houses, or on bigger scales, for example, the design and development of a new nationwide travel system or major airport. This specialism in engineering might be the right choice for you if you are interested in the process of designing and building things. It often appeals to people who are interested and experienced in construction and want to take their skills even further. Studying civil engineering at the college level gives you an ideal opportunity to improve your design skills, particularly in computer-aided design. If you are interested in topics such as statistical analysis, hydraulics, materials science, mechanics and geotechnics, you may be interested in this field. There are various sub-specialisms that civil engineers can get into including structural engineering, architectural engineering, hydraulic engineering, geotechnical engineering and environmental engineering.

Aeronautical Engineering:

Engineers who work in the aeronautical specialism will research, design, and develop aircraft and space craft. They are also often involved in the construction, technology, science and testing of these crafts. Astronautical engineering is a sub-division of this specialism where engineers focus mainly on space conditions and space craft.

If you are interested in aircraft, its history and methodology, this engineering career might be very appealing to you. It will give you the chance to learn as much as possible about aircraft and how they work right from the earliest concepts of human flight to how the modern aircraft that we all know today are designed, constructed and operated. If you want to learn more about the mechanics of flight travel, improve aircraft and flight conditions, and become an expert in how aircraft perform under extreme conditions, this could be a great career choice for you. Some of the various sub-divisions of this specialism in engineering include structures and materials, aerodynamics, aeroelasticity, propulsion, and avionics.

Electrical Engineering:

The main focus of electrical engineering is electrical power applications. Electrical and electronics engineering are two different specialisms that are quite similar to each other in various ways. Electrical engineers work with the production and supply of electrical power on a larger scale, while electronics engineers are usually more focused on smaller electronic circuits such as those that are found in our technological gadgets like laptops and smartphones.

Either of these disciplines could be the right choice for you if you are interested in how electrical systems and devices work. If you want to be instrumental in working on the new and upcoming technological developments of the future, this could be an ideal career choice for you. If you are keen to work in a career where you can play a part in improving the devices that we all might be using in the future, electrical or electronics engineering will be a great way to do this. You can learn more about this field with an online electrical engineering degree from Kettering University.

Mechanical Engineering:

 One of the broadest, and also the most long-standing engineering specialisms, mechanical engineering focuses on the design, manufacture and maintenance of mechanical systems. If you decide to pursue a career in this field, you will have the opportunity to learn about a large range of topics including mechanical design, technical drawing, stress analysis, thermodynamics, statics and more. This might be an ideal career choice for you if you are interested in working with any mechanical devices. If you're a creative person who likes to come up with new and innovative ideas for the future, this career path could be an ideal platform to bring those ideas to life. Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines and as such covers a wide range of sub-divisions including manufacturing, robotics, nanotechnology and more. It is also closely related to several other engineering disciplines, particularly aeronautical and civil engineering.

Choosing Your Ideal Engineering Specialism:

With so many different specialist areas to choose from when it comes to pursuing a career in engineering, narrowing the options down and choosing the right one for you is always going to be the most important task. All forms of engineering are based on solving problems and there are skills that will be desired or required across all areas, such as critical thinking and technical design skills. Many people who decide on a career in engineering are interested in this subject due to the fact that it's a respected STEM subject but also gives you the chance to tap into your creative and innovative side in a way that many other STEM careers do not. Here are some strategies to consider when deciding on the best engineering specialism to boost your career as an engineer.

Consider the Career Outlook:

If you are interested in an engineering career that is highly lucrative with excellent salary opportunities, high demand and the chance to progress in your career from an early stage, it's important to be aware that the different engineering specialisms vary when it comes to the career outlook. It's a good idea to check out the database available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to find out more about the average salaries for each specialism and which disciplines have the best career prospects, including the level of demand and the expected rate of growth in the next few years. Some of the most high-demand careers today include industrial, mechanical, civil and electrical engineering, with over 60% of engineers employed in these fields. On the future prospects side of things, biomedical engineering is expected to grow by a massive twenty percent over the next few years.

Think About Your Interests:

Career outlook isn't always everything, and for many people finding a career that they enjoy and are interested in is a huge part of making the decision. When it comes to choosing the right engineering specialism for you, it's a good idea to spend some time thinking about what you are interested in the most and what you could see yourself doing throughout your career. Consider your hobbies and interests now; you might be surprised at what you might be able to tie back to engineering, even if you didn't think you were that interested in the specific subjects like math or science. Computer engineering might be interesting for you if you are fascinated by technology, or civil engineering could be a good choice if you are a creative person who enjoys coming up with new ideas and building things.

Consider Your Technical Skills:

It's wise to carefully think about your technical skills and what you might thrive in the most before you decide on the right engineering specialism for you. Different roles in engineering will require various skills and personality traits, so it's a good idea to spend some time seeing how well you match up and if you have what it takes, or are willing to work to get what it takes, to work successfully as this type of engineer. For example, those who are not the most computer-savvy might not want to pursue a career in computer engineering, while chemical engineering might be a suitable option for you if science has always been your strong point.

Get an Internship:

Getting some relevant work experience if you can will help you get a clearer idea of what to expect from working in a certain engineering specialism, making it easier for you to determine if the career path is the right one for you. Internships and work placements are applied learning opportunities where you can get first-hand experience of the different specialisms and disciplines within engineering, along with getting a chance to meet with the professionals who are already working in these careers. You may want to try several different internship or work placement positions in different engineering fields so that you have experience that you can compare when deciding where you are going to be the best fit. You can find internships that are open to students and designed to help you make the best decisions for your future career.

Speak to Engineering Professionals and Career Advisors:

Last but not least, with so many different engineering specialisms to choose from, picking the right option for you might not be something that is easy to do on your own. Maybe you like a few different areas and are struggling to choose just one. In this case, it might be helpful to speak with careers advisors from your school or college who can help you see a different perspective and make it easier for you to make your final decision. Speaking with engineers who are currently working within your fields of interest can also be useful since they can provide helpful advice and insight into what the career is really like.

If you've decided on a career in engineering, the specialism that you choose can give your career a boost. Within this field, there are several specialism and sub-divisions to choose from, with something to suit a wide range of goals, interests and skills.