Engineering is a broad field with many opportunities for specialization. Engineers may design bridges, computer hardware, electrical equipment, and much more. At their heart, engineering disciplines share some commonalities: they're detail-oriented and math-heavy. Engineers of all sorts are needed in workplaces around the world.
If you're interested in becoming an engineer, but you're not sure which discipline you might want to choose, here's how to get into the field.
What is an engineer?
Engineers are skilled professionals who plan, develop, modify, and evaluate engineering systems of all kinds. Mechanical engineers may focus on areas like transportation or manufacturing, while petroleum engineers work in drilling and testing of oil wells, and so on.
Most companies who deal extensively with technology will have engineers on staff, though engineers also work in government, the military, for consulting firms, or may be self-employed.
What do engineers do?
Daily tasks will vary by specialty, but many engineers spend their days doing mathematics, performing detailed calculations to ensure their plans and designs will succeed. Engineers may also supervise work being done, and perform testing and maintenance processes.
How to become an engineer in Canada
Engineering is considered a prestigious profession, and it's easy to understand why! Engineers need strong grades and consistent academic performance to be ready for the industry, no matter their specialty. Here's how to become an engineer in Canada.
Step 1: Undergraduate education
To become an engineer, you'll have to complete an undergraduate program. This usually means three or four years at university. Before you choose a program, be aware of the distinction between an engineer and an engineering technologist or technician:
- Engineering: usually takes four years at a university, and historically focuses on theory and advanced thinking. Typically a bachelor-level program.
- Engineering technologist or technician: usually takes three years at a college, and often focuses on practical, hands-on training. Typically a diploma-level program.
Be aware that technologists and technicians may work under professional engineers, though there's room to improve your skills as you progress in your career. If you're set on becoming an "engineer," though, you'll probably want to explore bachelor-level programs in engineering.
Students usually need high grades — mid-70s or above, at least — to get accepted to an engineering program. You'll also want to have high school prerequisites completed, which may include:
- Mathematics
- Precalculus / calculus
- Physics
A strong understanding of these core subjects will make you a more competent and confident engineer.
Choosing a program
Many universities offer undergrads the opportunity to immediately specialize. Others let students start in a general engineering program, and branch out in later years. If you're still exploring your options, go for a general engineering program so you can develop your core skills and decide which areas interest you most.
Here are a few general bachelor-level engineering programs you could consider, but you're sure to find more if you search:
Keep an eye out for programs with co-op, work-integrated learning, or internship options. Taking a co-op or internship while studying puts you in a position to get real-world experience during your degree. Explore bachelor programs with a co-op component here.
Getting work experience now will make finding a job easier.
Step 2: Choosing a specialty
Even if you choose a general engineering program for your first year, eventually you'll have to specialize. Your best bet when choosing a specialty is to follow your passions — what aspects of the profession interest you most?
Of course, you can also follow the money: exploring career profiles to see how much different engineers might expect to earn over the course of their career.
Letting statistics guide you may seem like a very "engineer" thing to do, but be careful you don't trap yourself in a field that doesn't interest you! Even the MIT Engineering department, maybe the best engineering school in the world, recommends letting your passions guide you!
You can also speak with others in the engineering department — students, TAs, professors — to get their opinions on what you might pursue. Your school of choice may have a list of majors to choose from, or you may want to transfer institutions for the right specialization. Some of the most common specializations include:
The list goes on! The profession may well invent new ones by the time you read this, too.
Step 3: Consider a master's degree (optional)
Because engineering can be a high-stakes career, many engineers pursue further education, going for a master's degree — and sometimes even a PhD after that — to expand their knowledge.
You can expect a master's degree to take a year or two, and depending on your school and subject, you may be able to pursue it part-time and / or online. To be admitted to a master's program, you'll need a bachelor's degree in engineering — a diploma generally won't be enough.
Your master's program will build on your skills and understanding of engineering and potentially make you a more attractive candidate for hiring and promotion.
Step 4: Start building your work experience
Getting work experience as an engineer is an important part of your career path. You'll likely want to pursue professional engineer status (more on that below), which requires lots of work experience.
There's no secret to getting your foot in the door as a new engineer. If you took a co-op program during your undergrad (or master's) degree, you may want to check in with the company you worked for and see if they have any openings. Speaking with your school's career development office is also a good idea for any new grad!
Otherwise, here are a handful of links to help you start your search:
You may also want to explore the job boards for big companies who employ lots of engineers, like General Electric, Siemens, Aecon, and so on.
Step 5: Get licensed as a professional engineer (P.Eng.)
Canada recognizes engineers via a professional licensing system. The designation, appropriately, is "professional engineer (P.Eng.)," which "represents the highest standards of engineering knowledge, experience, and professionalism in the country," per Professional Engineers Ontario.
Four years of experience is the standard to apply for professional engineer status. This doesn't include time spent in school! Engineers and Geoscientists BC, the professional engineers' association for that province, offers a free online competency assessment to help you determine if you've got the skills and knowledge necessary to apply for a P.Eng. Professional Engineers Ontario also has an online knowledge centre to help you.
(Professional Engineers Ontario even has student membership available, which is totally free to join!)
Having your P.Eng. means you can identify yourself as a registered professional engineer, and sign and seal engineering documents. You'll be able to work as a consultant, or as an employee, and gain access to professional development courses through your engineering society.
The Ontario Society of Professional Engineers offers a prep program for engineering grads who want to be licensed in Ontario. This includes free and paid workshops to help you understand the pathway from grad to P.Eng. You'll have to pay licence fees of a few hundred dollars, which contribute to the profession's self-regulation. You'll earn enough as an engineer that this shouldn't be a problem!
You'll need to pass a competency assessment to prove your skills as an engineer to earn your P.Eng. If you've made it this far, you should be fine.
Step 6: Pursue further training in engineering management (optional)
Once you have some experience, you may want to move into a management role as an engineer. You'll need your P.Eng. completed, and you may want to consider a master's program in engineering management, which blends engineering know-how with business skills.
Instead of a master's degree, you may instead want to pursue short courses or microcredentials in project management or business administration. These skills will serve you well no matter your expertise.
Expect to earn in excess of $100,000 per year as an engineering manager. You'll oversee the work of other engineers, so be sure you've got the skills you need. Of course, by the time you reach this stage of your career, you'll likely have seen just about everything!
"Engineer" is a classic choice to the age-old question of "what do I want to be when I grow up?" As a STEM profession, engineers are well-respected, and well-compensated, for the important work they do. If you love math and science, and want a complex, demanding, rewarding career, consider pursuing engineering in college or university, and building your skills and know-how from there. You'll be earning six figures in no time!
Learn more about various types of engineers here, or start exploring programs in engineering in Canada and around the world.
You'll have to work hard to become an engineer in Canada, so remember to pause now and then and reflect on your goals and motivations. Have fun on your STEM journey!
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