Engineering Management has been a constantly evolving field and that is unlikely to change anytime soon. So, for those among you who have aspirations of joining the world of engineering, it might be a good idea to start off by getting an Engineering Management degree.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the career outlook is quite encouraging for most engineering management professions. In particular, jobs for Chemical Engineers are expected to grow by 6% (over 2,000 new vacancies) between 2018 and 2028.
So, if you want to work in engineering, this guide will tell you how to do that. It contains valuable information on well-reputed Engineering Management degree programs as well as popular career paths.
What Is Engineering Management?
Engineering Management can simply be defined as the “application of management principles to engineering.” In other words, it combines the problem-solving concepts of engineering with the organizational, planning, and administrative tools of management to bring operational efficiency in complex engineering-based enterprises.
What Can You Do With an Engineering Management Degree?
An Engineering Management degree enables you to pursue employment as a Quality Assurance Manager, Chemical Engineer, Industrial Production Manager, Systems Engineering Manager, Project Manager, Electrical/Electronics Engineer, Operations Manager, Design Engineer, Technical Consultant, Automation Engineer, etc.
The following section provides compensation details and career outlook for some of these roles. All information has been gathered from the records of the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Chemical Engineers
Chemical Engineers utilize different principles from chemistry, mathematics, physics, and biology to find solutions to problems arising from the use of chemicals, drugs, etc. They also design processes for large-scale manufacturing and evaluate the suitability of various production methods.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | State with the Highest Salary, 2019 |
| $108,770 | 6% | $117,090 | Texas | 7,260 |
| Texas | $150,510 |
Industrial Production Managers
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | State with the Highest Salary, 2019 |
| $105,480 | 1% | $115,110 | California | 20,770 |
| New Hampshire | $137,300 |
Electrical Engineers
Electrical and Electronics Engineers are involved in the designing and manufacturing of various kinds of electrical/electronic equipment like electric motors, communications systems, power generation machinery, radars and navigation systems, GPS (Global Positioning System) devices, etc. They also create electrical systems in aircraft and automobiles.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | State with the Highest Salary, 2019 |
| $98,530 | 5% | $103,480 | 55,430 | California |
| District of Columbia | $122,330 |
What to Expect from an Engineering Management Degree?
Over the course of an Engineering Management degree, you will learn about Decision Analysis, AC/DC Motors, Manufacturing Processes, Fluid Power Systems, Business Engineering, Turn Key Operations, Strategic Management, Financial Forecasting, Change Management, Engineering Leadership, Quality Control, Operations Management, Project Analysis, etc.
How to Choose an Engineering Management Degree?
There are a few things to consider while choosing an Engineering Management degree to pursue. First of all, you need to confirm the “accreditation status” of a particular program. Other than that, you should also look at the cost, course contents, campus location, available majors, research opportunities, career outlook, and residential facilities (on-campus and off-campus).
Engineering Management Degree Admission Requirements
These requirements depend largely upon the level of a degree as well as any school-specific conditions. In general, however, most Bachelor programs require that candidates finish high school and take a standardized entry exam like the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or ACT (American College Testing).
Admission to a Master’s program is usually dependent on an applicant’s undergrad GPA as well as their score on the GRE (Graduate Record Examination), GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test), or some other standardized assessment.