In Depth Guide to Engineering & Construction Degree Programs

1. What will you study in an Engineering & Construction Degree Program?

Engineering and construction degree programs teach students how to use the principles of science and math to create safe and efficient structures, devices, and systems.

Courses vary widely depending on the specialization and type of degree program each student chooses. Engineering students in bachelor's degree programs, for example, get a solid foundation in math and science before taking classes in a specific area of the field, such as civil engineering, aerospace engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or environmental engineering. Common courses include systems design, computer simulation, quality management, production control, and thermodynamics, to name just a few.

Students pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in construction science, building science, or construction engineering, meanwhile, learn how to manage every aspect of a large-scale construction project. They take courses in site planning, cost estimating, building inspection, contract administration, and accounting. Depending on where they live, they may also opt to learn a second language. In the U.S., for example, many workers in the construction industry speak Spanish, so knowledge of that language can be an enormous asset for future managers.

2. Which characteristics do Engineering & Construction majors typically possess?

At the most basic level, people who go into engineering and construction like to build things--and they also like to take things apart. They tend to be naturally curious about how machines, systems, and processes work. They've probably exhibited an interest in technology and a knack for science and math, since these disciplines form the backbone of the engineering and construction professions.

Construction programs in particular often attract business-minded entrepreneurial types who aspire to open their own contracting firms or construction management companies. They should be comfortable multi-tasking and making swift decisions under pressure. Any number of major roadblocks can arise on a given day, from unforeseen building code violations to delinquent service providers or suppliers, forcing project managers to modify the plan at the drop of a hard hat. Flexibility, in other words, is an absolute must.

3. Which specific careers can Engineering & Construction majors pursue?

Civil engineers design and build public structures and facilities such as roads, transportation hubs, tunnels, bridges, and water supply systems. They supervise construction teams, control costs, and take factors like natural disasters and pollution into account.

Mechanical engineers create machines, motor vehicles, industrial equipment, and much more. They work for laboratories, construction companies, manufacturers, and consulting firms, and rely heavily on computer-aided design and modeling software.

Aerospace engineers plan and construct aircraft, spacecraft, and missiles. They develop pioneering technologies for use in aviation, space exploration, and the military. Unlike most fields, what they do actually is rocket science.

Construction managers oversee building projects from start to finish, hiring contractors, setting a budget and timetable, and supervising day-to-day operations. They work closely with engineers, architects, service providers, and suppliers. Many go on to open their own general or specialty trade contracting firm.

Building inspectors examine buildings and infrastructure, checking for compliance with building codes, zoning regulations, and contract terms. Many are self-employed or work for local governments.

Cost estimators use data to predict how much a construction project may cost, accounting for factors like materials, labor, duration, and size. Most work in the construction industry, although some specialize in manufacturing.

4. Which well-known people in the industry have completed Engineering & Construction degree programs before becoming successful?

Alexander Calder earned a mechanical engineering degree from Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey before moving to Paris and creating his famous mobiles.

Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, received a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering and a master's degree in aerospace engineering.

Bill Nye, television's "Science Guy," has a mechanical engineering degree from Cornell.

Frank Capra, the director of such films as It Happened One Night and It's a Wonderful Life, held a chemical engineering degree from the California Institute of Technology.

William Hewlett and David Packard, founders of Hewlett-Packard, met while studying electrical engineering at Stanford University.

5. How much do Engineering & Construction majors typically earn in the various fields they can pursue?

Civil engineers

• Mean annual salary: $78,560
• Mean hourly wage: $37.77
• Top paying industries: Oil and gas, wholesale electronics, engines, turbines, and power transmission equipment, and lumber
• Top paying U.S. states: Louisiana, California, Nevada, Delaware

Mechanical engineers

• Mean annual salary: $78,200
• Mean hourly wage: $37.59
• Top paying industries: oil and gas, computers and peripheral equipment, scientific research and development
• Top paying U.S. states: Idaho, Colorado, Alaska, New Mexico

Aerospace engineers

• Mean annual salary: $93,980
• Mean hourly wage: $45.18
• Top paying industries: employment services, computer systems design, scientific research and development
• Top paying U.S. states: Maryland, Washington, Kansas, Alabama, Texas

Construction managers

• Mean annual salary: $89,770
• Mean hourly wage: $43.16
• Top paying industries: scientific research and development, pharmaceuticals and medicine, office administrative services
• Top paying U.S. states: New York, New Jersey, Washington, California, Massachusetts

Building inspectors

• Mean annual salary: $52,160
• Mean hourly wage: $25.08
• Top paying industries: nonresidential buildings, elementary and secondary schools, utility systems
• Top paying U.S. states: Alaska, California, Connecticut, Washington

Cost estimators

• Mean annual salary: $60,320
• Mean hourly wage: $29.00
• Top paying industries: natural gas, scientific research and development, business support services
• Top paying U.S. states: Massachusetts, Hawaii, Connecticut, California

All salary information comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and is based on May 2008 figures.

6. In which parts of the country or world do prominent Engineering & Construction communities flourish?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the following U.S. metropolitan areas have the highest levels of architecture and engineering employment: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana (California), New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown (Texas), and Detroit-Warren-Livonia (Michigan).

Engineering job seekers should also pay special attention to cities and metropolitan areas that feature science and technology parks, which are campus-like zones that have been designed and earmarked for research, development, and incubating new companies. Examples in the U.S. include Raleigh-Durham's Research Triangle Park, Indiana's Purdue Research Park, and the Cummings Research Park in Huntsville, Alabama.

Because demand is so high for highly skilled labor, engineers often have the opportunity to work abroad in places like Europe, the Middle East, India, and China.

For obvious reasons, the fastest growing cities in the country offer the promise of new construction jobs. In 2009, these were New Orleans, Louisiana, Round Rock, Texas, Cary, North Carolina, Gilbert, Arizona, and McKinney, Texas. Texas employs more construction managers than any other state by a wide margin, followed by Maryland and Colorado, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

7. What type of "real world" experience could you combine with your Engineering & Construction program to supplement what the program teaches you?

Engineering students in bachelor's and master's degree programs can gain hands-on experience through an internship either during the school year, over the summer, or after graduation. Many schools have relationships with engineering firms and help their students find paid or unpaid positions. Some employers even use their internships programs as a recruiting tool, offering full-time jobs to the most promising participants.

In the construction field, employers favor candidates with a degree plus substantial work experience. This could mean working in construction before or during school, an internship, or a cooperative education program that combines classes and an apprenticeship. Construction managers also need both formal education and professional experience in order to become certified by a professional organization like the American Institute of Constructors or the Construction Management Association of America.

Because online degree programs tend to offer more flexibility, they are particularly convenient for students seeking to put their knowledge into action with an internship or part-time job.

8. What can an Engineering & Construction degree give you that on-the-job experience may not be able to?

The right credentials. Learning on the job is a great way to prepare for a career as a construction worker or engineering assistant, but management and supervisory positions typically require a bachelor's or master's degree. Working professionals who need a degree to advance to a leadership role can take advantage of the many online education options in the engineering and construction fields.

Technical know-how. In the engineering world, many employers expect new hires to be proficient in computer-assisted design programs and other software from day one, and these can be hard to master on the fly. Students earning their bachelor's or master's degree in most engineering disciplines are required to learn this widely used technology.

Business savvy. Students in engineering and construction degree programs can take classes in accounting, finance, and management, gaining the skills they would need to open their own business. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 57 percent of construction managers were self-employed in 2006, mainly as owners of general or specialty trade construction firms.

Higher earning potential. Construction managers earned a mean income of $89,770 in 2008, nearly three times the construction laborer's mean salary. In the engineering fields, master's and doctoral degrees may qualify graduates for more lucrative positions, particularly in the research and development arena.