by Simon Lythgoe
In the UK, engineering jobs make up 19% of the UK’s total employment. This diverse and exciting industry offers a very wide range of roles, from aerospace and avionics to chemical and civil engineering jobs. Whether you’re looking for innovation, travel or impressive pay and benefits this is a sector with a lot to offer.
4 good reasons to choose engineering
1. The sector is diverse and constantly evolving.
Whether you are interested in product design or protecting populations from the impact of global warming, there are roles in the engineering industry to suit you. This is one of the few sectors that attracts everyone, from those with a computer science background to biochemists. It is a problem solving sector where maths, technology, logic and science are required on a daily basis to find solutions and create cutting edge innovation that will make a real difference to the way people live and work. No matter which part of the sector you choose to enter, the work is likely to be interesting and challenging on a daily basis.
2. The benefits are impressive.
Jobs in the engineering sector are well paid. In fact, on average, professional engineers earn more than any other professional. This is because the level of training and skills required to work in the industry is often high. There is a great deal of support for people looking to enter the engineering sector, from apprenticeships to government budget allocation for new PhD places for STEM subjects. The market is constantly evolving too, with lots of new opportunities becoming available for people with the right qualifications. By 2024, it’s predicted that there will be 65 million engineering jobs available, creating a huge and vibrant market for anyone considering a career in this industry.
3. There are lots of opportunities to see the world.
Depending on the type of engineering role you choose, you could be based in an office in a local city or on the other side of the world. Many engineering jobs offer travel opportunities with frequent trips to other countries, as well as the chance to experience life abroad. Some roles, such as those in the oil and gas sector, require engineers to be able to be globally mobile and can offer fantastic opportunities for living and working in other culture.
4. Engineers make a real difference.
There are few professions today that can claim to be working on changing the world but engineering is one of them. From infrastructure and technology to public services, the innovation and development that engineers generate can make a big difference to the experiences of people all over the world. It’s often the engineers who tackle the key challenges and who are tasked with finding solutions to humanity’s crucial issues, from hunger to climate change. If you want to make a difference with your work, this is the industry for you.
Engineering is a fantastic sector, offering great pay and benefits as well as opportunities to create change and find smart solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems.