Presenter: Chris Rowe, Vanderbilt University College of Engineering professor
LESSON PLAN: http://www.vanderbilt.edu/virtualschool/programs/careers/engineering.htm
TARGET AUDIENCE: Students in grades 7 – 12
ENGINEERS are responsible for almost everything that makes life worth living - from leisure activities to medical treatment, mobile communications to modern transport systems. Becoming an engineer enables you to solve problems that make the world around you better. You may choose to make the environment cleaner, a workplace safer, a computer program faster, a bridge stronger, a fuel cell car less expensive, or a machine more efficient.
Within the wide boundaries of the engineering profession, there are thousands of challenging activities, in areas such as research, development, design, manufacture and operation of products and services. Activities which provide stimulating intellectual challenges with diverse and varied tasks, inevitably involving deadlines, and all added to the satisfaction of real output or delivery.
Demand for good engineers is high, in practically every country in the world. In the IT and electronics sectors in particular, there are world shortages of Chartered and Incorporated Engineers, and unemployment among professional engineers is lower than for almost any other profession.
Engineering degrees can lead to a vast number of career opportunities, with graduates in demand in almost every sector of the economy. The word used most often when referring to a career in engineering is variety; and electrical, civil, marine, chemical, software, systems, information and manufacturing engineering offer a host of alternative job opportunities for new graduates. Specializations range from Automation to Power Generation and from Communications to Manufacturing. Within each of these fields, there are opportunities in research, design, development and tests, as well as management, production, marketing and sales. A degree can also provide a passport into the world of education.
Professional engineers also stand a better chance of becoming a chief executive than any other professional, outnumbering accountants by three to one!
The environment in which engineering professionals work has never been more dynamic. New materials, technologies and processes are being developed all the time. Increasing globalization, new markets, and changing employment patterns also mean that an engineering career is now a truly international one.
REGISTER online for all videoconferences: http://www.vanderbilt.edu/virtualschool/registration.htm
Join us NEXT week for this fascinating videoconference!
Patsy
Patsy Partin, M.Ed
Director, Virtual School
Vanderbilt University
2007 Terrace Place
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 322-6384
