Numerous industries have a need for skilled, experienced engineers. Those range from the aerospace and automotive sectors to renewable energy and biomedicine. According to the latest reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for engineers is soaring. In fact, the demand could outweigh the supply of qualified people to fill job openings before long. With all that being the case, holding a degree in engineering could make you a highly sought-after candidate for employers in an array of industries.
If you’d like to move on to the next phase of your career, though, an Engineering Management degree could be the next step in your journey. Earning this type of degree will allow you to take your engineering knowledge to the next level while also deepening your leadership skills among other benefits. It can be a pathway to a variety of positions.
Product Manager
As a product manager, you would be responsible for the development of products for a company. You would have a hand in virtually every phase of product development. Your scope would range from determining what consumers are looking for in the types of products your employer offers to getting those products onto store shelves. You would most likely play a role in improving those products in the future as well. You could help your employer develop entire product lines. You would work closely with a team of engineers as well as other professionals to see products through from concept to completion and beyond.
Project Manager
With an engineering management degree, you could also become a project manager. This role may be similar to that of a product manager, but you might deal with far more than products or product lines. Depending on the path you take and the company you work for, you might manage the development and implementation of aerospace systems, medical devices, industrial robots, wind power systems, or many other large-scale projects. You would likely oversee the development stages of projects, develop plans and budgets for those undertakings, and work with multiple teams to ensure those projects are successful.
Quality Assurance Manager
Quality assurance is essential for companies. Making sure their products work properly and safely and meet customers’ expectations is the key to building their reputations and creating trust among consumers. As a quality assurance manager, you would be responsible for making that happen. You would develop product testing methods, manage quality control teams, and ensure your employer’s products meet industry standards to name a few of your responsibilities. You would also be responsible for pinpointing problems with product quality and resolving them.
Operations Manager
Another potential career for people with an engineering management degree is operations manager. This role entails overseeing manufacturing and production operations. In this position, you would develop and optimize production processes, workflows, efficiency strategies, and many other factors. You might be in charge of your employer’s supply chain, staffing, and additional aspects as well. The responsibilities of operations managers may vary depending on the types of companies they work for and their products.
Taking Your Engineering Career to New Heights Engineers are in high demand right now, and that demand is projected to grow in the years to come. Earning your engineering management degree could make you even more valuable to potential employers. This type of degree could lead you down numerous career paths; the options listed here are only a few of the possibilities
