Engineering technology professionals function as intermediaries who connect engineers with production teams. These professionals apply their technical skills to specialize in the design, installation, maintenance, and enhancement of advanced technical equipment and facilities. Temple’s engineering technology curriculum gives students early exposure to multiple engineering disciplines alongside extensive co-op experiences to refine your focus within your chosen field while establishing a robust career trajectory. Careers The engineering technology field provides a wide range of career possibilities. Traditional engineering programs tend to require more time to finish than engineering technology because its degree programs typically take less time to complete and schools offer two-year associate degrees and four-year bachelor’s programs. Engineering technologists provide support to engineers by working on design and project development tasks. They might handle the testing and maintenance tasks for mechanical systems and equipment while also supporting sales and promotion efforts for these technical solutions. Drafters enable engineers to create detailed technical drawings from their designs which accurately represent product specifications and dimensions while assisting in process optimization and cost reduction. Drafters usually have bachelor’s degrees in their specialized fields while their yearly earnings generally fall between $50K and $100K. Education Starting your engineering technology career requires enrolling in an appropriate college program. Select a course of study that enables you to investigate what you love while building your professional abilities. Several academic institutions run programs that target problem-solving development through specifically designed practical courses. ABET-accredited engineering technology programs prepare graduates with the necessary skills and industry knowledge to succeed across various industrial environments. Students who wish to advance their careers can pursue additional courses that will qualify them for professional engineering licensure. Students should think about taking a minor that will enhance their abilities while introducing them to new professional interests. When students broaden their knowledge base they become more employable across various industries and can pursue unique careers while they learn new tools and methods to enhance work processes. Training The engineering technology degree stands as an excellent option for students who want to combine theoretical knowledge with practical application. Engineering technology students must develop robust mathematical and scientific foundations along with engineering, management skills and the ability to adjust to continuous changes within industrial work environments. Many schools now provide online engineering technology degrees that students can complete from any global location. Distance education programs attract students looking for flexible learning options and some colleges offer financial assistance to engineering technology students in these programs. Students with an associate’s degree in engineering technology gain the skills necessary to pursue professional opportunities across multiple technical disciplines. The curriculum includes both general education classes and specialized instruction in areas like computer-aided drafting along with electronics, mechanics and materials science. Students complete a senior project in real industry practices and designs which provides essential work experience leading to higher job market attractiveness for graduates. Job outlook Engineering technology offers many career opportunities. You have a range of opportunities to utilize your abilities from operating solar desalination plants to developing educational computer programs which enable personalized learning methods. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that STEM jobs demonstrate upward trends with positive job opportunities but growth rates differ across engineering specializations. The industrial engineering technology field is expected to see job growth because of more efficient design and manufacturing techniques while mechanical engineering technology may face employment reduction due to automation systems performing multiple tasks at once. Student organization participation and industry event attendance mark the starting point for engineering technology success. This industry requires networking because building relationships provides access to opportunities that would remain undiscovered otherwise.
