Are you a newbie searching online on how to become a good engineer or how to get into engineering? We got you covered as we have the step-by-step process to becoming a good engineer.
Engineering is a large field with several specialties and has a variety of sub-disciplines that cover a large scale of industries and materials. However, all engineering fields share one thing in common, which is the innovative mindset and the ability to create solutions to technical problem with math and science.
In this article, we explore the process of becoming an engineer in different sub-engineering fields, as well as the qualifications you’ll need to become a good engineer.
Article Guide:
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How to become an Engineer
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How long does it take to become an Engineer
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Types of Engineers
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Civil Engineer
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Mechanical Engineer
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Biomedical Engineer
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Aerospace Engineer
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Electrical Engineer
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Petroleum Engineer
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Chartered Engineer
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Structural Engineer
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Chemical Engineer
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Genetic Engineer
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Environmental Engineer
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Computer Hardware Engineer
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Nuclear Engineer
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Marine Engineer
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Aeronautical Engineer
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Automotive Engineer
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Project Engineer
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Quality Engineer
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Architectural Engineer
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Engineering Manager
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Qualities of an Engineer
Related: How to Become a Doctor
How to Become an Engineer
"How can i become an engineer?" As a young scholar with a dream of becoming an engineer, you probably have asked questions like this. This section provides answers to questions like how do you become an engineer or how to get an engineering degree.
While each engineering specialty requires different courses, licenses and other qualifications, every aspiring engineer must complete these five steps when pursuing this career path.
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Earn the appropriate degree
The first step in becoming an engineer is to earn an engineering bachelor's degree in a school accredited by the board of engineering and technology in your location. You should get your bachelor's degree in the field of study you want to work in, such as civil or chemical engineering. Some engineering specialties may require you to have a master's degree in your specific field in addition to a bachelor's degree.
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Take and pass the engineering license exam
Once you graduate from an engineering program with a bachelor's degree, you can take a professional exam such as the Fundamentals of Engineering exam offered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES FE exam) to become licensed to work as an engineer-in-training or intern.
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Obtain engineering experience
After receiving your license from the above examination, you can apply to work as an engineering intern or engineer-in-training. You must obtain four years of on-the-job training for full licensure.
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Take and pass the professional engineering exam
Once you have a minimum of a bachelor's degree and at least four years of experience, you can take the Professional Engineer (PE) exam to become fully licensed to work specifically in your discipline. Your career path may also require you to be licensed in more than one state, which means you’ll need to apply for comity licensure in additional states.
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Apply for engineering jobs
After passing the PE exam and becoming licensed as an engineer, you can begin applying for jobs in your field. Consider exploring industry-specific job boards, or use your professional social networks to help you find a position.
Read: 190 Best Engineering Schools In The World 2022
How Long Does it Take to Become an Engineer
This section answers questions for starters like; how long does it take to get an engineering degree, or how long does it take to get a bachelor's degree in engineering?
To answer this, it takes at least four to seven years to become an engineer. You will need to study:
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Three to five years Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) or a four-year Master of Engineering (MEng) program
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1 year Master of Science (MSc) in related field – only required if you didn’t do 4 year MEng and want Chartered Engineer (CEng) status
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1 year in industry – many degrees include a one-year industry placement so you can put your learning into practice.
Types of Engineers
1. Civil Engineer
A civil engineer designs and oversees the construction of public works, such as roads, bridges, dams, tunnels, buildings, airports, water and sewage systems, and other large infrastructure projects.
How to Become a Civil Engineer
How long does it take to become a civil engineer? It should take you atleast four to seven years to become a civil engineer.
To know how to become a successful civil engineer, follow these steps:
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Earn a bachelor's degree in engineering
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Apply to study for a masters in civil engineering
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Gain at least four years working experience as a civil engineering trainee or intern
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Sit for licensure as a professional engineer in civil engineering
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Although not necessarily mandatory, you can join a professional society for networking e.g. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
2. Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical engineers play an important role in the automotive, aerospace, biotechnology, computer and electronics, automation, and manufacturing industries.
How to Become a Mechanical Engineer
How long does it take to become a mechanical engineer? It shouldn't take you more than five to seven years to become a mechanical engineer.
Follow these steps to know how to become a successful mechanical engineer:
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Earn a bachelor's and/or master's degree in mechanical engineering
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Gain at least four years working experience as a mechanical engineering trainee or intern
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Sit for licensure as a professional engineer in mechanical engineering
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You can join a professional society for further certifications and networking opportunities, such as the American Society for Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
3. Biomedical Engineer
A biomedical engineer analyzes and designs solutions to problems in biology and medicine, with the goal of improving the quality and effectiveness of patient care.
How to Become a Biomedical Engineer
How long does it take to become a biomedical engineer? It should take about four to six years to become a biomedical engineer.
Follow these steps to know how to become a successful biomedical engineer:
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Apply to study for a masters in biomedical engineering
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Gain at least four years working experience as a biomedical engineering trainee or intern
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Sit for licensure as a professional engineer in biomedical engineering
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You can choose to join a professional society for networking e.g. Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)
4. Aerospace Engineer
An aerospace engineer designs, tests, and manages the manufacturing of aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles.
How to Become an Aerospace Engineer
How long does it take to become an aerospace engineer? It takes four to seven years to become an aerospace engineer.
Follow these steps to know how to become a successful aerospace engineer:
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Earn a bachelor's and/or master's degree in mechanical engineering or aerospace engineering
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There’s no licensure exam specifically tailored to aerospace engineering, but many opt instead to take the mechanical engineering PE exam, either focusing on thermal and fluid systems or machine design and materials for full professional engineering license.
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You can join a professional society for further certification and networking opportunities, such as the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
5. Electrical Engineer
An electrical engineer applies the physics and mathematics of electricity, electromagnetism, and electronics to design and develop new electrical equipment and systems, to solve problems, and to test equipment.
How to Become an Electrical Engineer
How long does it take to become an electrical engineer? It should take at least 4 to seven years to become an electrical engineer.
Follow these steps to know how to become a successful electrical engineer:
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Earn a bachelor's and/or master's degree in electrical engineering
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Gain at least four years working experience as an electrical engineering trainee or intern
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Sit for licensure as a professional engineer in electrical engineering
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You can join a professional society for further certifications and networking opportunities, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
6. Petroleum Engineer
Petroleum engineers design, create and develop strategies and machines with which oil and gas can be extracted from layers under the earth.
How to Become a Petroleum Engineer
How long does it take to become a petroleum engineer? It takes at least five to seven years to become a petroleum engineer.
Follow these steps to know how to become a successful petroleum engineer:
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Earn a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering
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Apply to study for a masters in petroleum engineering
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Gain at least four years working experience as a petroleum engineering trainee or intern
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Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.
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Sit for an exam for licensure as a professional engineer in petroleum engineering
7. Chartered Engineer
Chartered Engineers (CEng) develop solutions to engineering problems using new or existing technologies, through innovation, creativity and change and/or they may have technical accountability for complex systems with significant levels of risk.
How to Become a Chartered Engineer
The process of a Chartered Engineer consists of obtaining an accredited Bachelor's degree with honors in engineering or technology, with either a master's degree or Engineering Doctorate (EngD) accredited by a professional engineering institution.
An appropriate further learning to master's level alongside a minimum of four years of professional post graduate work experience and the ability to demonstrate fulfilment of various skills-based criteria, will qualify you to become a successful chartered engineer.
8. Structural Engineer
Structural engineers analyze, design, plan, and research structural components and structural systems to achieve design goals and ensure the safety and comfort of users or occupants.
How to Become a Structural Engineer
Structural engineers usually gain an education through a civil engineering bachelor's degree, and often a master's degree specializing in structural engineering.
The qualifications for licensure typically include a specified minimum level of practicing experience, as well as the successful completion of a nationally administered exam, and possibly a state-specific exam.
9. Chemical Engineer
A chemical engineer influences various areas of technology by thinking of and designing processes for producing, transforming, and transporting materials.
How to Become a Chemical Engineer
How long does it take to become a chemical engineer? It takes four to six years to become a chemical engineer.
Follow these steps to know how to become a successful chemical engineer:
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Earn a bachelor's and/or master's degree in chemical engineering
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Gain at least four years working experience as a chemical engineering trainee or intern
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Sit for an exam for licensure as a professional engineer in chemical engineering
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You can join a professional society for further certifications and networking opportunities, such as the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE).
10. Genetic Engineer
Genetic engineers are highly trained experts who use a variety of molecular tools and technologies to rearrange fragments of DNA.
How to Become a Genetic Engineer
The minimum education requirement to become a genetic engineer will be a bachelor's degree in biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, or molecular genetics.
However, in most cases it will be much more beneficial to have a master's or doctorate level degree in molecular genetics or molecular biology instead.
11. Environmental Engineer
An environmental engineer uses the principles of engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems.
How to Become an Environmental Engineer
Follow these steps to know how to become a successful environmental engineer:
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Earn a bachelor's and/or master's degree in environmental engineering
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Gain at least four years working experience as a chemical engineering trainee or intern
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Sit for an exam for licensure as a professional engineer in environmental engineering
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You can join a professional society for further board certifications and networking opportunities, such as the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and the American Academy of Environmental Engineers & Scientists.
12. Computer Hardware Engineer
Computer hardware engineers research, design, develop, and test computer systems and components.
How to Become a Computer Hardware Engineer
Computer hardware engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or a related field, such as computer and information technology accredited by a professional association, such as ABET.
Because hardware engineers commonly work with computer software systems, a background in computer programming usually is needed. This background may be obtained through computer science courses.
13. Nuclear Engineer
A nuclear engineer researches and develops the processes, instruments, and systems used to get benefits from nuclear energy and radiation.
How to Become a Nuclear Engineer
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Earn a bachelor's and/or master's degree in nuclear engineering
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Gain at least four years working experience as a nuclear engineering trainee or intern
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Sit for an exam for licensure as a professional engineer in nuclear engineering
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You can join a professional society for further board certifications and networking opportunities, such as the American Board of Science in Nuclear Medicine (ABSNM).
14. Marine Engineer
A marine engineer is someone who designs, builds, tests and repairs ships, boats, underwater craft, offshore platforms, and drilling equipment.
How to Become a Marine Engineer
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Earn a bachelor's degree in engineering
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Apply to study for a masters in marine engineering
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Gain at least four years working experience as a marine engineering trainee or intern
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Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.
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Sit for an exam for licensure as a professional engineer in marine engineering
15. Aeronautical Engineer
An aeronautical engineer uses his/her technical knowledge to study an aircraft's aerodynamic performance. This includes the aircraft's materials, propulsion system, and aircraft design.
How to Become an Aeronautical Engineer
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Earn a bachelor's and/or master's degree in mechanical engineering or aeronautical engineering
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Gain at least four years working experience
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There’s no licensure exam specifically tailored to aeronautical engineering, but many opt instead to take the mechanical engineering PE exam for full professional engineering license.
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You can join a professional society for further certification and networking opportunities, such as the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
16. Automotive Engineer
Automotive Engineers are professionals who are involved in the designing and creation of the latest technologies for automobiles.
How to become an automotive engineer
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Earn a bachelor's and/or master's degree in mechanical engineering
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Gain at least four years working experience
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While there’s no exam specifically tailored to automotive engineering, there are exams for mechanical engineering for machine design and materials, and mechanical engineering for thermal and fluids systems for full professional engineering license.
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Later in your career, you may opt to join professional societies or organizations related to your field of practice, such as the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
17. Project Engineer
A project engineer manages a team during the entire lifecycle of a technical or engineering project.
How to Become a Project Engineer
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Earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering, business management or construction management
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Also try to obtain a master’s degree in engineering management or business administration to advance your career
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After your education, you can obtain a certification to demonstrate your career commitment, showcase your skill, build credibility and expand job opportunities available to you.
18. Quality Engineer
A quality engineer oversees an organization’s manufacturing and engineering processes by ensuring the proper use of tools, materials and procedures.
How to Become a Quality Engineer
You will need at least an associate’s degree to become an entry-level quality engineer. A quality engineering associate’s degree program will teach the basics in quality assurance, such as state and national regulations, required documentation and testing practices.
You may also need to earn a master’s degree in quality assurance to successfully apply for senior quality engineer roles and management positions without experience. Quality engineers receive most of their training on the job. Some pursue an internship during college, which can help them gain practical experience while making professional connections.
19. Architectural Engineer
An architectural engineer directs a team of professional architects or engineers during projects.
How to Become an Architectural Engineer
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You will need at least a bachelor's degree in engineering or professional degree in architecture.
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You will also need to have work experience as an architectural engineer intern under the supervision of a licensed architect
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Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.
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Sit for an exam for licensure as a professional engineer in architectural engineering
20. Engineering Manager
Engineering managers are responsible for creating a vision, communicating goals, overseeing engineers, determining project priorities and filling them accordingly.
How to Become an Engineering Manager
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Earn an engineering bachelor's degree
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Pursue an MBA degree, or masters in technology management (MSTM), or engineering management (MEM or Ms-EM).
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Later in your career, you may choose to join a professional society and seek further board certification through the American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM).
Qualities of an Engineer
What makes engineers so sought after is their ability to not just grasp what is going on around them, but to also model inventions surrounding the prevailing social scenario.
To find out what it takes to become a successful engineer, here is a list of 15 qualities of a successful engineer:
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Natural curiosity
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Critical thinking and reasoning
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Effective risk management
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Excellent communication skills
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Ability to pay attention to details
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Setting challenging but realistic goals
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Creativity
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Open to embracing change
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Team player
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Excellent math skills
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Problem solving skills
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Leadership skills
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Technical knowledge
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Constant learner
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Optimistic