5 Different Areas of Engineering Everyone Should Know

Engineering is similar to medicine in the sense that both are wide-reaching fields with several smaller subfields. There are five main types of engineering, which can be further divided into several more specific fields. All engineers engage in some sort of scientific design or development. By learning about five different areas of engineering everyone should know, you can begin to differentiate between them.

Civil Engineering

Civil engineers often focus on the development of physical structures that will be used by the public. They must construct, design, and maintain structures such as airports, dams, bridges, roads, and more. They often emphasize eco-friendly development and may be involved in any number of urban planning, space planning, or transportation projects.

Chemical Engineering

As the name implies, chemical engineering deals with chemicals. These engineers must design and manufacture products by using principles from physics, chemistry, math, and biology to innovate. They may work in food, pharmaceuticals, and fuels, and they often perform lab tasks and experiments. While they may use computers for design, engineers in lab environments may also take notes by hand. Many of them use engineering and science notebooks to collect their data as they tinker and experiment. Handwritten notes and diagrams are a great boon to any chemical engineer.

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineers are responsible for the production and development of mechanical systems or any other devices that move. They must utilize critical thinking, problem-solving, and both math and physics to take a concept and transform it into a functional product. If a product has moving pieces, such as a blender or a vehicle, its production likely involved a mechanical engineer. They utilize many centuries-old concepts, such as screws, axles, springs, and wheels, in their products.

Electrical Engineering

Electrical engineering is one of the newer branches that came into existence in the 19th century. As implied by the name, electrical engineers specialize in electrical equipment and electronics. They work to create products that use or create electricity. This could be anything from the tiniest chips that help your phone work to creating massive power stations. Their job is to design, test, and maintain those devices, most often working in either labs or offices. Sometimes, they may also require on-site work.

Industrial Engineering

Industrial engineering combines general engineering and general business practices. As a result, industrial engineers can help reduce costs while improving upon both efficiency and quality. They often work in the entertainment, service, or healthcare industries. They must be both tech-savvy and people-savvy to excel. They frequently design facilities and information systems while managing people’s assignments and inventories.

These are only five different areas of engineering everyone should know, but there are many others. Why not thank the engineer in your life for their meticulous and inventive work?