Overview

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for engineering in general is expected to be good, offering growth slightly faster than the national average for other types of employment. Of course, this varies from specialty to specialty, but the consumer goods industry is a strong one, and within it, sporting goods and equipment shows every sign of continued expansion and growth. What economic and market forces make engineers such a valuable commodity for the companies in consumer goods?

Competitive pressures and advancing technology will force companies to improve and update product designs and to optimize their manufacturing processes. Employers will rely on engineers to further increase productivity as investment in plant and equipment increases to expand output of goods and services. New technologies continue to improve the design process, enabling engineers to produce and analyze various product designs much more rapidly than in the past. Unlike in other fields, however, technological advances are not expected to limit employment opportunities substantially, because they will permit the development of new products and processes.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Engineers

This competitive drive and technological development - when applied to the sporting goods and equipment sector - is good news for engineers looking for opportunities to put their passion for sports to work over the next few years. Of course, success for the companies and organizations involved in the design and manufacturing of sporting goods is tied to the spending levels of those participating in sports recreationally. The news on those fronts is also good for engineers considering a career in this field.

Sports will remain a popular, central activity around the world, and participants - especially passionate enthusiasts - will always want the latest, cutting-edge accessories, gadgets, and products to help them excel at their chosen activity. But what other factors might influence the outlook for sporting goods and equipment?