There are a number of reasons to major in engineering, but by far the best reason is that engineers make a difference. By using the tools of math and science, engineers solve problems, develop innovative products and systems that improve the quality of people's lives around the world. Engineers are engaged in all of the world's most challenging issues, including healthcare, environment, energy, transportation, infrastructure, information management, security, and communication.

There are over 700 colleges and universities in the U.S. offering programs in engineering, with enrollment ranging from 50 students to over 50,000. There are also many universities outside the U.S. with prestigious engineering programs. It is possible to obtain a bachelor's degree in engineering by undertaking:

	A four or five year accredited college or university program
	Two years in a community college engineering transfer program plus two or three years in an engineering program
	Three years in a science or mathematics major and two years in engineering
	Five to six years in an engineering co-op program (A co-op program allows students to attend classes for a portion of the year and then work in an engineering-related job for the remainder of the year. They graduate with valuable work experience sought by employers.)
	Eight to ten years as a part-time engineering student

Why should you consider studying engineering?

Engineering offers many exciting career options.

There are many areas of study within the broad field of engineering. The largest engineering disciplines are mechanical, electrical, chemical and civil. Other disciplines include industrial, materials, environmental, biomedical, computer, petroleum, aerospace, nuclear, mining, ceramic, and safety engineering.

Keep in mind that an engineering education prepares you for many exciting career options. Completion of an undergraduate engineering degree demonstrates your drive and focus. An engineering education also equips you with analytical skills that are assets in a wide range of technical and non-technical fields. According to the National Society of Professional Engineers, a bachelor's degree in engineering will offer you a wide variety of career options, including:

• Business
• Consulting
• Research
• Teaching
• Marketing
• Management
• Government
• Sales
• Military

An undergraduate engineering degree could also lead to a career in another field, such as:

• Medicine
• Dentistry
• Law
• Journalism/Media
• Politics

In comparison to the many professions that make progress by adopting cutting-edge or state-of-the-art technologies, engineering stands apart because engineers are often the ones who create and define these new technologies. The scope of new technologies created by all types of engineers is mind-boggling. Even the specific field of mechanical engineering reaches into many aspects of life. The technical divisions of ASME, for instance, include environmental engineering, bioengineering, solar power, advanced energy systems, petroleum engineering, nuclear engineering, internal combustion engines, micro-electromechanical systems, and much more.

Engineers earn a good living.

The National Association of College Employers (NACE)'s data indicate that the average starting salary for mechanical engineers in 2005 was $51,046, a 4.1% increase from 2004. According to the National Society of Professional Engineers, engineering majors earn considerably more than the graduates with other majors who start their careers with just a bachelor's degree. This difference can be as much as 75 percent to 100 percent more per month, depending on geographic location and engineering specialty.

Salaries vary, based on professional experience, specific area of discipline, geographic location, as well as other factors. Detailed salary information is available for free through ASME's Career Center, which is powered by Salary.com. This is a useful site for getting an idea of what kind of income engineers can earn.

The engineering profession is prestigious.

Engineering is a profession on a par with that of law or medicine, in the same way that engineers are professionally licensed by the states. While licensure is optional for many engineering careers, an engineer with a professional license can be called a Professional Engineer and her name is followed by the title P.E., the same way a doctor has the title of M.D. and many scientists have a Ph.D. The test material and testing procedures are prescribed by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (www.ncees.org) and are implemented and enforced by state licensing boards. In addition, some states require engineers to participate in continuing education seminars to maintain their licenses. That information is posted on the web site for the National Society of Professional Engineers.

The P.E. designation is awarded only after the applicant has obtained a certain amount of experience in engineering practice; however, the first step to getting a P.E. is to obtain a Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) or Engineer-In-Training (EIT) certificate that covers basic undergraduate-level engineering knowledge. This exam is typically taken during or after a student's senior year in college. We recommend that engineering students take the FE exam before, or shortly after graduating from college. At the least, the process of studying for the exam reinforces core engineering knowledge. And even if professional licensure isn't in your sight right now, a P.E. could be useful as your career path evolves.

Engineering students have access to many financial resources for college.

The National Society of Professional Engineers cites a number of funding sources that are available to engineering undergraduates, including:

	Part-time employment and paid summer internships
	Scholarships and grants
	Federal or bank loans
	Co-op and work-study programs
	Special programs such as ROTC or veteran's benefits

If you don't qualify for sufficient financial aid from your school to cover your school expenses, an undergraduate engineering student can often make up the difference through paid internships and co-ops.

Undergraduate research assistantships are another form of part-time employment that many engineering schools offer. Undergraduate research has an advantage over co-ops and internships because it is typically located on campus. With some diligent scheduling, it can be fulfilled while completing your academic coursework. Think of it as a work-study program, but with the added benefit of learning specialized skills and knowledge in an area in which you might be interested.

If you decide to continue with graduate studies after your bachelor's degree, majoring in engineering offers an additional benefit. Graduate engineering studies are typically funded by fellowships or graduate assistantships, which include a stipend for rent, food, and other living expenses. As a result, unlike in law, medicine, and business, engineering graduate students typically leave school with very little debt.