If you’re like a lot of people, you might have a vague idea of what it means to be an engineer. But what is engineering exactly?

Engineering is innovation powered by math, science and creativity. Engineers are problem solvers who are given a challenge and must solve it in a way that is safe, efficient and cost-effective.

Some engineers work on infrastructure projects such as buildings, bridges and roads. Other times they work on electrical projects, like automobiles and motors. Mechanical engineers address everything from medical devices to robotics, while chemical engineers work with pharmaceuticals, polymers and more.

 As you can see, engineering covers a wide array of projects and specialties. But, no matter what industry you work in, you can expect to design, build, test and fix.

Engineering is a great career option for many reasons. Some of the most obvious benefits of the profession include:

• Good job stability - Engineers are essential. They are consistently in demand and will continue to be so. So if you want to be in a field where you likely will not have any issues finding employment, engineering is a great choice! 
• Make good money - While some engineers will certainly earn more than others, you can expect a good salary no matter what type of engineering you get into, and you can expect to be paid well even at the entry level. Based on data from Payscale, the average professional (licensed) engineer earns a base salary of more than $90,700 in 2024. This is much higher than the average salary in the United States.
• Meaningful work - Because engineering is so vital to society, it’s easy to see the impact you make as an engineer. Engineers make the world a safer, more efficient place to live. Whether you’re helping design a bridge or coding life-changing tech, you’ll be able to end your work days knowing you made a difference.
• Exciting challenges - Engineering is a field where you’ll never be bored. You’ll be challenged every day, which keeps things interesting. You’ll also be on the forefront of exciting new developments in the industry you choose to work in.

So what makes a good engineer? Enjoying math and science is a good start. If you’re someone who is drawn to these subjects in school, you may find fulfillment in the engineering field. Other traits that will set you up for success include a high attention to detail, a natural curiosity for how things work, persistence even when going through a long trial and error process, and the ability to think outside the box.

Outside of these traits, the foundation of any long engineering career is a strong engineering education. Make sure the schools you’re looking at have esteemed reputations in engineering. More specifically, look for high job placement rates, valuable industry partnerships and opportunities to gain hands-on experience while still in school.

At the University of Northern Iowa, you’ll find all of this and more. With an exceptional job placement rate among graduates of the Department of Applied Engineering & Technical Management, you can expect to be in high demand upon graduation. UNI students regularly intern and work at companies like John Deere, Collins Aerospace and BAE Systems thanks to the relationships we’ve carefully curated over the years. Hands-on experience is also a cornerstone of the UNI experience for all majors. With the recent modernization of the Applied Engineering Building, students have more space to work with cutting-edge technology than ever before!