Discover Engineering Career Paths

Natalia Ferkova
4 days ago
2 min read

Career Alternative Opportunities with an Engineering Degree

It is well known that engineering graduates are central to the development of any society and have many options after finishing. Undeniably, engineering jobs are desirable and come with countless benefits depending on the discipline. Regardless, many people change their perspectives and passions. Statistics show that at least one in every five students decide on a career change.

Fortunately, an engineering degree serves as a quality foundation, opening doors to a lot of alternative career paths with the right additional training. Some of these pathways include:

Project manager
Patent examiner
Technical writer
Data analyst
Management consultant
Professor
Realtor

And many more opportunities await those with an engineering background.

Hand sketching on architectural plan with pencil, surrounded by a yellow hard hat, calculator, ruler, and pencil holder. Text: Kitchen.

Business Analyst

Business analysts are important for organizations because they help them use data to make smart decisions. In particular, engineering graduates can move into these roles because they’re good at analyzing information. They help put data into business plans, like spotting trends and giving practical advice. Basically, they connect technical know-how with business goals.

Teaching and Lecturing

Engineering involves using science and problem-solving skills to get things done effectively. So, many individuals in this field have the need to transfer this knowledge to others, young people interested in the field. This is because engineering graduates have gained a lot of knowledge that can be shared with others, helping them develop their problem-solving abilities. Also, there is always an option to remain in academia and become a lecturer in higher education, focusing on a specific area. However, it’s important to remember that being a teacher or professor requires strong interpersonal skills.

Patent Law and Intellectual Property

Working in a field of patent law, as a patent attorney you can provide legal advice and draft patents. Also, patent attorneys specialize in writing, acquiring, and advising clients on patents, safeguarding intellectual property rights in various products or processes. Additionally, individuals can explore roles as patent examiners, typically employed by government agencies to assess patent applications. So, as an engineering graduate, this role aligns well, given the familiarity with engineering concepts widespread in the job’s responsibilities. Despite being a patent attorney, you can also include yourself in the field of a patent examiner. These often work for a government agency, and are in charge of reviewing patent applications. As an engineering graduate, this role is made for you, because much of what you are dealing with will have been made by engineers.

Your Engineering Degree Opens Doors Beyond Engineering

In summary, having an engineering degree doesn’t mean you’re stuck in just one type of job. It actually gives you a strong base to explore many different careers in various fields. With your ability to analyze, your technical skills, and your creative thinking, you can find success in lots of different jobs, not just traditional engineering career paths. So, if you’re an engineering student or graduate thinking about trying something different, remember, there are countless opportunities out there—don’t limit yourself!