Multi-Faceted Careers With a PhD In Engineering
A doctorate in engineering is a multi-faceted degree. It not only qualifies one to work in various spheres of industry but also to do research and to teach. There are many branches of engineering that one may choose to do a PhD in, such as chemical or electrical engineering, and all of them would lead to stimulating and rewarding careers. Many different industries would also employ engineering PhDs and some of these are the automobile industry, the aerospace industry, and interestingly, companies dealing in wind energy. Besides these, doctorates in engineering could find jobs in the fields of nuclear engineering, software engineering and even biopharmaceuticals. With such advanced educational qualifications they would be eligible to work in top-level positions.
Electrical engineers are required by almost every industry that uses electricity or devices that run on electricity. With new technology evolving every day, the demand for well qualified electrical engineers is increasing. At a senior level, an electrical engineer would not only design and develop new electrical devices, but also improve the working of existing equipment. Therefore research and development positions would need to be filled, and who better than a graduate who has just completed his PhD in engineering and who has already begun producing new research. In a large corporation, the electrical engineer would not only invent or design new technology, but must also test it in lab conditions. Once this has been done the invention must be applied within the industry, and this too must be overseen by the engineer employed for the purpose.
Next, we look at doctorates in chemical engineering. During their college doctoral programs, they have gained experience in various fields of the subject which now leads to the development and invention of new chemical processes. Extending over diverse fields such as polymers and plastics, fertilizers and foods, paper and petrochemicals and more, chemical engineers create new instruments and invent ways to manufacture new products from different raw materials. Today, there is more emphasis on making processes cost effective, efficient and environmentally friendly than before. So the chemical engineer is a necessary addition to multinational as well as smaller companies.
Finally, perhaps the most satisfying and fulfilling job, though some may disagree, is that of becoming a professor in the engineering department of a good university. Teaching young students the mysteries of the sciences, and working with them in laboratories and in the classroom, is a choice many engineering graduates do make. There is always a demand for doctorates in engineering to teach the latest batch of would-be engineers and to provide the universities with qualified and dedicated faculty. As many students take up assistant teaching positions while pursuing their doctorate, they already have the necessary experience. Another attraction for many PhD graduates to return to their colleges to teach is not only the stimulating atmosphere of the college campus and the summer vacations but also the sense of achievement when their students graduate with honours.
In conclusion, it is clear that having a doctoral degree in engineering is one of the most valuable assets that a young person could have, and a career in this field can be rewarding in many ways.
