What do you do as an engineer?

  • Thread starter meee
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Engineer
In summary, the conversation revolves around the field of engineering and its various aspects. The question of whether engineering involves office or outdoor/hands on work is discussed, with the consensus being that it can involve both. The daily tasks of an engineer are also mentioned, with emphasis on simulation and model development, as well as the use of math and science. The conversation also touches on the enjoyment of the job and the potential for good job opportunities in the field. A resource for those interested in pursuing engineering is provided, and one engineer shares their experience and satisfaction with their job in electrical engineering. In conclusion, engineering is described as a challenging and rewarding field that involves a combination of office and hands-on work.
  • #1
meee
87
0
I know its hard to answer with so many different fields in engineering, (andmaybe its a noob question) but is engineering office or outdoor/hands on working?

and a question to engineers out there... what do u actually do at work each day?

im interested in maths and science and not sure what i should study in uni.
engineering sounds cool but I am not really exactly sure what is involved.

also,, is it fun?
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
  • #2
My school can set you up to follow one of their grads around for a few hours or all day. I'd guess that other schools have similar programs.
 
  • #3
meee said:
I know its hard to answer with so many different fields in engineering, (andmaybe its a noob question) but is engineering office or outdoor/hands on working?
It can be both. Most engineering activities, e.g. analysis/simulation, computation, reporting, etc, would occur in an office. However, engineers often go outdoors, especially civil engineers, where one would do on-site collection of data, supervision of some work (e.g. construction or installation), or inspecting a site to ensure that something is constructed/installed according to plans.

meee said:
and a question to engineers out there... what do u actually do at work each day?
Most of my work is simulation and model development, which of course includes a lot of data collection and analysis. The model development is interesting. In this activity, one collects experimental data and then contructs models of the physical processes with which one simulates the performance of some system, e.g. a bar of metal under certain thermomechanical loads. It gets more complicated when one tosses in chemical (corrosion) and radiological phenomena. It's very challenging and very rewarding to be able to simulate a complex set of processes and achieve results which can be eventually verified through measurement. My company does predictive analysis. We also do a fair amount of failure analysis, in hopes of better defining technical limits on various materials and systems, which in turn allows us to improve a design or modify the performance envelope.

meee said:
engineering sounds cool but I am not really exactly sure what is involved.
Mathematics and science. Engineering is essentially applied physics. Mathematics is the language of physics and engineering. Engineering, like physics, is cool. :cool: :biggrin:

meee said:
is it fun?
He! Yeah! :cool: I wouldn't do it if it wasn't fun - I'd be doing something different. I work with a lot of cool people from all over the country and the world.
 
Last edited:
  • #4
Last week I had to build a temporary free-standing 12' tall x 8' wide wall to block air from a condensing unit, on a 98 deg F day. That was what you call hands on.
 
  • #5
meee said:
im interested in maths and science and not sure what i should study in uni.
engineering sounds cool but I am not really exactly sure what is involved.
http://www.engineeringk12.org/students/so_you_want_to_be_an_engineer/the_engineering_alphabet.htm [Broken]
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #6
thanks Astronuc for u detailed knowledge and gokul for the site and artman and kdinser for advice.

is it better to study science or engineering?
do any good jobs come out of science
 
  • #7
I'm an electrical engineer. More specifically, I'm a senior design engineer for a large company that makes high performance analog integrated circuits. Of course, our chips are not purely analog, and in fact often approach a 50/50 split.

I do some design, predominantly digital, and some verification work. Almost everything I do is on a computer. The work is actually very intellectually stimulating, as I'm often studying a design in very close detail, running many different simulations on it to see how it performs and identify bugs.

My company is one of the first to make good use of computer simulation and verification procedures on complete mixed-signal designs, so I'm often forging my own path, developing my own scripts and environments.

There is also some "hands-on" work involved. When we get a completed chip back from our fab, the designers are often the first people to mount in on an evaluation board and start testing it to see if it's functioning to spec. It's not exactly manual labor, but there's a lot of board-cutting, test bench setup, equipment hauling, and that sort of thing.

In general, it's a phenomenal job. I enjoy the intellectual nature of it. I enjoy the flexible hours, excellent pay and benefits, and relaxed atmosphere. It often feels a lot like the nights I spent with friends as a kid, taking apart computers and learning to program, so I enjoy it immensely.

- Warren
 
Last edited:
  • #9
thanks berkeman... chroot that sounds cool as n fun thnx
 

1. What does an engineer do?

As an engineer, I use math, science, and technology to design and create solutions to real-world problems. This can involve anything from developing new products and systems, to improving existing ones, to finding ways to make processes more efficient.

2. What skills are required to be an engineer?

Engineers need a strong foundation in math and science, as well as critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Additionally, communication, teamwork, and time management are essential for success in the field.

3. What types of engineers are there?

There are many different types of engineers, including mechanical, electrical, civil, chemical, and computer engineers. Each type focuses on a specific area of technology and has its own unique set of skills and responsibilities.

4. What industries do engineers work in?

Engineers work in a variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, construction, electronics, energy, and healthcare. They can also work in government agencies, research institutions, and consulting firms.

5. What are some examples of projects that engineers work on?

Engineers work on a wide range of projects, such as designing and building bridges, developing new medical devices, creating renewable energy systems, and improving manufacturing processes. They also work on projects related to transportation, communication, defense, and environmental sustainability.

Similar threads

Replies
25
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
13
Views
211
  • General Engineering
3
Replies
75
Views
13K
Replies
3
Views
543
Replies
16
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
726
  • Mechanical Engineering
Replies
26
Views
1K
Replies
14
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
820
Back
Top