As published in the last post, an engineer is a problem solver.Basically someone who has dedicated his life to problem solving.
So…anybody can be an engineer?
Maybe?
Thinking deeply about it you can say YES definitely all you need to do would be to identify a problem and find a solution . Right?
But then again re-analyzing the definition of an engineer we see that he is not just a problem solver,but one who applies scientific methods and logical reasoning to solving problems around him.
So revisiting the previous question…
So…anybody can be an engineer? …Yes
Should everybody be called engineers,I’ll say no… You can only be called an engineer if you posses the necessary background knowledge of the theories behind your particular field. Only when you posses the necessary skills and scientific knowledge can you be really called an engineer.
This means the first step to an engineering career is an engineering certificate from an institution that is accredited to issue one.
This concludes part 1 of this two part publication on what makes a complete engineer IN MY OPINION.
Do leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.
Personally, when i signed up to study Electronics and Electrical Engineering, i had little or no idea of what it was all about.
Hence this post is for anybody about to make a similar decision or anyone that’s just interested.
Engineering is the application of science and math to solve problems. Engineers figure out how things work and find practical uses for scientific discoveries. In simple terms, engineers identify a problem, and come up with a solution – often creating something completely new in the process.
Engineering is a discipline dedicated to problem solving.
You will find engineers working on creating new materials, investigating engine efficiency and alternative fuels, constructing bridges or developing clean water systems. From satellites to cell membranes engineers use maths and science to achieve extraordinary things and find solutions to some of the world’s most complex challenges.
Engineering is a career field that can a be applied to every other field from medicine to accounting to political science to education
The field of engineering is divided into a large number of specialty areas:
Mechanical engineering
involves design, manufacturing, inspection and maintenance of
machinery, equipment and components as well as control systems and
instruments for monitoring their status and performance. This includes
vehicles, construction and farm machinery, industrial installations and a
wide variety of tools and devices.
Electrical engineering
involves design, testing, manufacturing, construction, control,
monitoring and inspection of electrical and electronic devices,
machinery and systems. These systems vary in scale from microscopic
circuits to national power generation and transmission systems.
Civil engineering
involves design, construction, maintenance and inspection of large
infrastructure projects such as highways, railroads, bridges, tunnels,
dams and airports.
Aerospace engineering
involves design, manufacturing and testing of aircraft and spacecraft
as well as parts and components such as airframes, power plants, control
and guidance systems, electrical and electronic systems, and
communication and navigation systems.
Nuclear engineering
involves design, manufacturing, construction, operation and testing of
equipment, systems and processes involving the production, control and
detection of nuclear radiation. These systems include particle
accelerators and nuclear reactors for electric power plants and ships,
radioisotope production and research. Nuclear engineering also includes
monitoring and protecting humans from the potentially harmful effects of
radiation.
Structural engineering
involves design, construction and inspection of load-bearing structures
such large commercial buildings, bridges and industrial infrastructure.
Biomedical engineering
is the practice of designing systems, equipment and devices for use in
the practice of medicine. It also involves working closely with medical
practitioners, including doctors, nurses, technicians, therapists and
researchers, in order to determine, understand and meet their
requirements for systems, equipment and devices.
Chemical engineering
is the practice of designing equipment, systems and processes for
refining raw materials and for mixing, compounding and processing
chemicals to make valuable products.
Computer engineering is the practice of designing computer hardware components, computer systems, networks and computer software.
Industrial engineering is the practice of designing
and optimizing facilities, equipment, systems and processes for
manufacturing, material processing, and any number of other work
environments.
Environmental engineering is the practice of
preventing, reducing and eliminating sources of pollution that affect
air, water and land. It also involves detecting and measuring pollution
levels, determining sources of pollution, cleaning up and rehabilitating
polluted sites and ensuring compliance with local, state and federal
regulations.
here is often considerable overlap among the different specialties.
For this reason, engineers need to have a general understanding of
several areas of engineering besides their specialty. For example, a
civil engineer needs to understand concepts of structural engineering,
an aerospace engineer needs to apply principles of mechanical
engineering, and nuclear engineers need a working knowledge of
electrical engineering.
Particularly, engineers require in-depth knowledge of mathematics,
physics and computer applications such as simulations and computer-aided
design. This is why most college programs include basic engineering
courses in a wide range of topics before students choose to specialize
in a particular area.
Engineering as a career
You will find engineers working across many sectors and often commanding high salaries.
After studying engineering you may choose to go
into sectors as varied as management consultancy, broadcasting or the
financial sector, as well as the more direct career paths listed below.
Architecture: Architect, Architectural Technologist, Town Planner, Production Designer, Building Surveyor.
Chemical Engineering: Chemical Engineer, Energy Engineer, Product Development Scientist, Production Manager, Quality Manager.
Civil Engineering: Structural Engineer, Site Engineer, Geotechnical Engineer, Building Physicist, Water Engineer, Quantity Surveyor.
Electronic & Electrical Engineering: Broadcast Engineer, IT Consultant, Network Engineer, Systems Developer.
This is a new blog that i created to share my insights,opinions,thoughts,advise and even news on my own journey to become an engineer.
I am currently a student at the OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY studying Electronics and Electrical engineering.And as at the time of the publication of this article,an intern in the same university.
So whether you are an engineering student like me, or maybe any kind of student or a hobbyist interested to know more, I’ll like you to join me on my journey into the WORLD OF ENGINEERING.
