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You’ve heard about them and you might even have one in the family. But what exactly do engineers do? Well, lots actually. Think of any areayou want – music, cars, the environment, travel – somewhere there willbe an engineer designing it or making it better. In fact, no matter whatyour interests are, you can indulge them as an engineer… and get reallywell paid at the same time. Sound like a winner? You bet.

Naomi works as an Automotive Engineer in the Vehicle Design Group at Arup. She is a Science and Engineering Ambassador and is passionateabout promoting careers in car design.

“I design, analyse and test the crash structures of cars. I am also involved in investigating road traffic accidents and I am developing an interest inbiomechanics. I took a year out before going to university and got involved in the Year in Industry Scheme. While I was there the Potters Bar Rail Crashoccurred and I was involved in the crash investigation. I felt privileged to beable to work on the project and provide the survivors and families of those who died with answers to what happened.

I’ve been a Science and Engineering Ambassador since I graduated and I reallyenjoy it. It’s great to spend time with children showing them what engineeringis about. Their imaginations never cease to amaze me and encourage me tothink out of the box in my own job.”

To find out more about Science and Engineering Ambassadors please visit www.stemnet.org.uk

Dan works for GKN – a leading international engineering firm – as a Technology Manager. His role covers management of patents anddeveloping new research links with universities and local companies.

“Watching TV shows like Tomorrow’s World was the biggest influence in mycareer choice. The inventions and ideas on the programme made me think,‘I could have thought of that,’ and ‘I wish I’d thought of that.’ It got me hookedby showing that simple solutions existed to difficult problems and that findingthose solutions was something I would enjoy doing.

My advice to anyone considering a career in engineering would be to investigatethe different fields of engineering that exist. There are many great opportunitiesin engineering and there’s lots of scope to grow and develop your skills and yourcareer. Hearing from people already in engineering is an important first step tohelp you find a career that will inspire and motivate you. That’s why the RoleModel Database is a good place to start investigating. Getting work experienceis also important so you can appreciate how you can put your skills to use on a day to day basis.”

Uncovering the world of engineers

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About the ‘Role Model’ databaseNaomi and Dan are two of our 500 ‘role models’ featured on the scenta site.A role model is anyone working, training or studying in science, technology,engineering or maths (STEM), and they come from all industries. Quite simply,anyone wishing to inspire more people to take up or continue a career in STEM.

By browsing our database you’ll find leading engineers in all fields.Lewys is a Materials Science student in his third year at Oxford University.He attended a Headstart course in 2002 before choosing to apply to studyMaterials. He is keen to help more young people see how MaterialScience is key to everyday life and why it’s worth studying.

Lewys is a Materials Science student in his third year at Oxford University.He attended a Headstart course in 2002 before choosing to apply to studyMaterials. He is keen to help more young people see how Material Science is key to everyday life and why it’s worth studying.

“I have been interested in hands-on science since I was young studying DesignTechnology. It was my AS Physics teacher who suggested that I apply for aHeadstart course. I had not heard of then before and I thought why not, ifhe is suggesting it then I guess it’s worth a try. I will always be grateful to thatteacher because after experiencing university life and Materials Science for oneweek, I knew straight away exactly what I was going to apply for.”

“I have been at Oxford for two years now studying Materials and it is great.It allows me to follow my interest in real world, hands-on science and continuesto open up new ideas and possibilities to me. Recently I have assisted withboth Headstart and Smallpiece courses and I think that helping give the gift of experience to young people is extremely rewarding.”

To find out more about Headstart and Smallpiece courses please visitwww.headstartcourses.org.uk and www.smallpiecetrust.org.uk

Finding out moreThe Role Models database is a great way for young people to learn more about what engineers do, how they got to where they are, and the possibilitiesthat exist along the way. Because research has shown that people are morelikely to be inspired by, and more likely to believe someone who closelyresembles them, our role model programme aims to provide a comprehensivedatabase of people working across the science, technology, engineering andmaths spectrum.

You can search the database in a number of ways, making sure that you find the type of people you’re looking for.

If you would like to hear more from Naomi, Dan, Lewys and our other RoleModels, please visit: www.enginuity.org.uk

Find out more at www.enginuity.org.uk

What does an engineer do?The word engineering usually makes us think of car mechanics or ‘engineering works’which delay train journeys and cause traffic hold-ups on the roads.

In reality, engineering is a lot wider than this, covering everything from building andtransport to cosmetics. Engineers were responsible for designing the Channel Tunnelrail link, and more recently for designing colour-matching technology to determine thebest make-up for your skin tone.

Engineers work in all kinds of environments. Yes, some jobs do involve getting coveredin oil, and wearing protective clothing, but engineering roles can take place in an office,in laboratories, or outdoors, in the air and underground.

They influence every aspect of modern life and it’s likely that today alone you will havealready depended on the expertise of one or more engineers. Have you taken theTube? Maybe you’ve listened to an iPod? Or watched television? See, told you so.

Here are ten examples you might be interested in:

Sound and acoustics engineerSound systems are everywhere – in theatres, cinemas, train stations and of course athome. Without the impact of technology and the systems to deliver sound information,much of the entertainment business we know now would not exist. Sound and acousticsengineers are an essential part in delivering the creative vision of, for example, singersand songwriters. Acoustics engineers work with bands and artists to make sure thatvenues sound as good as possible. In theatre, the set, position of actors and thearrangement of the auditorium are all elements for the sound engineer to consider.

Aeronautical engineerSee the world and get paid to do it! An aeronautical engineer applies scientific andtechnological principles to research, design, maintain, test and develop the performanceof civil and military aircraft, missiles, weapons systems, satellites and space vehicles.Aeronautical engineering offers a wide range of roles. Most engineers specialise in a particular area, such as research, design, testing, manufacture or maintenance.The aerospace industry is well established in the UK, and the steady expansion in air travel means that there are many roles available. But there are also the long hours,varied shifts and being away from home for prolonged periods of time to consider.If you shudder at the thought of a 9-5 job, then perhaps this is something for you!

Food engineerYou are what you eat, as the old saying goes. If you take into account the amount of moneywe spend on food, you can see that the food and drinks industry is big business. Finding outwhich flavours work, and which ingredients work well together is more than a matter of simplygood cooking. Engineers are involved in the development and design of the processes andequipment that are used for making flavouring, colouring, packaging and distributing food anddrink; all to provide the consumer with a fresh, tasty and good-looking product.

Lighting technicianEveryone has a favourite movie, or a theatre performance that sent shivers down yourspine. But have you ever given any thought as to how a movie leaps from screenplay to screen? Perhaps you recall a theatre performance where the atmosphere and dramacame together to create an unforgettable mood. Lighting technicians create that mood;the skill and expertise required in getting the ambiance just right can be as critical to theperformance as the acting.

Find out more at www.enginuity.org.uk

Bioinformatics engineerWhat makes a human different to a banana? Quite a lot you might think, but given that we share in the region of 54 per cent of our DNA with bananas, the answer lies in the structure of our DNA. Mapping the DNA structure of bananas and humans hasbeen made possible by the combination of traditional subjects like maths combinedwith modern computer technology. Because of this, the modelling and processingdeveloped by computers has allowed us to map out what makes us human and design drugs to treat us when things go wrong.

Environmental engineerThe quality of the land, air and water around us is becoming increasingly importantwith the onset of climate change. Engineers are at the forefront of preserving ourenvironment and ensuring that modern technology is kind to the environment. Beingan environmental engineer might mean that you have a special interest in ecosystemsand biology, or other branches of engineering like civil engineering. People who deal in public health matters may also be environmental engineers, helping to ensure thatthe environment is preserved for people as well as plants and animals.

Venture capitalistVenture capitalists like to stick their money where their mouth is. Many start-upcompanies (or ones that need a cash boost to get themselves back on their feet) will look to venture capitalists to provide that investment which, although often high-risk, can provide above average returns. To do this, you will need to become an experienced financial analyst who can identify trends in the market and evaluatewhere it would be wise to place money – and where it would probably be a no-no.Understanding the potential of emerging technologies and industries – which engineersdo – is a key skill, as is being good at maths to work out the best investment.

Marine engineerIf those landlubbers get on your nerves, why not escape to somewhere we know evenless about than outer space… the oceans? Marine engineers design and develop theparts of the ship that most of us take for granted – the propulsion, drainage, lighting,waste disposal and air-conditioning systems that turn the raw materials into afunctioning, safe and comfortable cruise ship.

Safety engineerSafety engineers look after us all. They ensure that the buildings we use, the systemswe rely on, the transportation we ride and the places we work are safe and nothazardous to our short or long-term health. They interpret risks and foresee problemswith existing infrastructure to ensure that modifications and alterations conform tosafety standards. If you’re the one who responsibly closes gates after walks in thecountryside or tells your younger brother off for dropping those banana skins on thepavement, maybe this one is for you.

Special effectsBrace yourselves: Gollum isn’t real. The CGI effects and crucial technology that createdmagical moments in film have all been developed by software engineers. They developthe skills and abilities to make dreams (or nightmares) come alive. Without them,Hollywood today would look more like Laurel and Hardy than Middle Earth.

Find out more at www.enginuity.org.uk

The diversity of engineering means that whether your interests lie in film, TV, music, gadgets, travel, health, sport, design or the environment, there is probably an engineering role to match. These jobs frequently provide the opportunity to work at the verycutting-edge of thought and innovation, and not only here in theUK. An engineering career may provide a real opportunity to eithertravel with your job or to permanently relocate abroad.

Studying engineering is a great general education and many engineers getsnapped up by other professions. It is the third highest earning career (behindlawyers and doctors). The median salary for a Chartered Engineer in 2005 was in the region of £45,500. Unemployment among professional engineersand scientists is among the lowest of any sector in the country.

Engineering requires hands on experience as well as an understanding ofmathematics, science, design and society. Opportunities exist for engineers at all levels and engineering is one of the few career areas where people canprogress with experience and work-based training, as opposed to moretraditional qualifications.

Engineers gain professional recognition through registration with theEngineering Council UK (ECUK). This is awarded through a professional reviewundertaken with one of the specialist engineering institutions, for example TheInstitution of Engineering and Technology. Registration enables engineers touse the titles ‘Engineering Technician’, ‘Chartered Engineer’ or ‘Incorporated Engineer’ (with the coveted EngTech, CEng or IEng letters after their name).

The three qualifications below can be used as a guide to possible qualification routes.

Chartered Engineers (CEng) / Incorporated Engineers (IEng)

• For entry onto an engineering degree, students usually need: A-levels or equivalent in maths and – depending on the discipline – physics and/or chemistry and design and technology. They also need at least three GCSEs (grades A to C, typically in maths, English, and double/core sciences).Diplomas from 2008.

• Graduates with appropriate degrees and experience are encouraged to applyfor Chartered and Incorporated registration with the ECUK and if successful gain CEng/IEng letters after their name

• Those without appropriate degrees but with enough relevant experience can also apply to become Chartered or Incorporated Engineers through an individual assessment. See the Route Map in this pack and www.engc.org.ukfor further information about this and accredited engineering courses.

Your options explained

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• Students can also enter higher education by taking a foundation degree (see www.fdf.ac.uk for details). These modern qualifications are designed and supported by businesses and provide the specialist technical knowledge and skills needed at associate professional and higher technician level.

Engineering Technicians (Eng Tech)

• The main training route for engineering technicians is to take advanced apprenticeships (called modern apprenticeships in Scotland and Wales).These can lead to qualifications at NVQ/SVQ levels 3-4 (A level equivalent).Advanced and other apprenticeships allow students to combine studying with working in industry.

• For entry into advanced apprenticeships (level 3-4) applicants will generally need a minimum of four to five GCSEs, including English, mathematics and science or technology. Vocational GCSEs and diplomas from 2008 may also be welcomed.

Find out more at www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Some technician apprentices enter with full-time level 3qualifications such as A-levels or Highers, VCEs, BTEC National diplomas, certificates, City & Guilds or equivalent.

• On completion of training (which can form part of the advanced apprenticeship),advanced apprentices are encouraged to apply for Engineering Technician registration with the ECUK and if successful gain Eng Tech letters after their name.

Find out more at www.engc.org.uk

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There are lots of questions people have about engineering and manymisconceptions too. In order to answer some of them, we have takenten of the most frequently asked questions* that careers advisors face.

1. What is Engineering?Engineering is practical problem-solving. Engineers use the knowledge they have in a specific field to make things work and to solve problems. Engineers exist in allwalks of life: transport, medicine, entertainment, space exploration, environmentalmanagement – you name it, engineers shape it.

2. Do I have to be good at... physics/chemistry/maths?Engineers do need to be good at maths as it can be applied to a number of differentengineering issues. The good news is that whatever your interests at school, thereis a branch of engineering that will fulfil your desires and interests. For example,a bioengineer working on the engineering of biological systems would need a goodunderstanding of biology. A chemical engineer who manipulates raw materials tocreate everyday, useful products would need to be interested in chemistry. Thereare also plenty of routes into engineering – such as apprenticeships and vocationalschemes – that focus on your experience of practical problem-solving.

3. Do I need to go to university to earn a good wage?Being a graduate is no guarantee of a higher wage, but in general graduates do goon to earn more throughout their professional life. In engineering the main factorsthat will shape what you earn are the three levels of professional recognition:Engineering Technician, Incorporated Engineer and Chartered Engineer. See theRoute Map for more information on how to qualify for each level. In addition you can earn while you learn, with many employers offering bursary schemes to helppay for university tuition costs.

4. My Dad’s friend is an engineer. He says it’s a dying industry – is it?Put simply, no. Engineering is often associated with large-scale manufacturing andthat sector is perceived as becoming less important to the UK economy. In fact,both these assumptions are incorrect. Engineering applies to all industries – fromrecord producing to the financial services. And if you do choose to become anengineer in the manufacturing, production and construction industries, rememberthat they represent over a quarter of the UK’s economy and accounted for nearly60% of the UK’s exports in 2006.

5. Is it a good job?Yes, if you enjoy one or more of the following: problem-solving, working in a team,practical work, office-based work, flexible hours, international travel, site-basedwork, large civil engineering projects, working for a small company, helping peopleget the most out of their investments, designing systems to alleviate poverty indeveloping countries, playing with gadgets, studying nature, building things,knocking things down, helping the environment, researching alternative fuels,digging tunnels, flying planes, designing boats, building roads, forecasting weather,designing roofs, making noises, painting pictures. In engineering, there’s somethingfor everyone.

Engineering FAQs

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6. Are there still apprenticeships in engineering?Yes, there are. Apprentices make up a significant number of the people who go intoengineering. Apprenticeships give people the opportunity to engage in work-basedlearning and to acquire the skills they need through practical experience. Whateverroute into engineering you choose, employers are increasingly looking for somedegree of work experience to prove you’ve got what it takes. If you are thinking of doing an apprenticeship, find out more information about engineering-specificapprenticeship schemes at www.apprentices.co.uk

7. Isn’t it a job for men?Absolutely not! Year-on-year the number of women registering as engineers isincreasing, as the range of career options available in design, television, mobilephones, medicine, materials, civil engineering and construction and more expands.Although it is true that the proportion of women in engineering is lower than men,huge strides are being made to ensure that the positive upward trend continues.For more information, please visit the Women in Science, Engineering andConstruction website at www.wisecampaign.org.uk

8. Will I get my hands dirty?Only if you want to! Engineering encompasses a whole range of industries that might include on-site visits and practical construction work, or it might meanevaluating safety systems from the comfort of your office. A software engineer – who might work from home – is no more likely to get their hands dirty than a bankmanager. If you’re really worried about this one, why not become a chemicalengineer and design a new soap to keep those pesky dirt particles at bay?

9. How much money do engineers get?Each industry sector is different, as is each individual engineering job within thatindustry. Nevertheless, across the board, professional engineers on average canexpect to earn more than £10,000 per year over and above the national averagesalary. The prospects for employment and progression are also positive. A largeproportion of engineering and technology (E&T) graduates end up working in E&Tcareers. Employment rates for E&T graduates in 2006 are increasing annually andstand way above average at 60%; unemployment rates for this same group arebelow 10%. Research carried out in 2006 showed that 14 per cent of FTSE-100 top executives are qualified engineers.

10. What jobs are there in engineering?Take your pick. There are jobs in a very wide range of specialties and roles at manylevels from engineering technician to senior engineer, including management andresearch. Some are more specialist – for example, non-destructive testing – but manyare very multi-disciplinary – for example, robotics or project management. Becausetechnology is always moving on, engineers often change or widen their specialityduring their careers, as well as their job roles. This is one of the reasons engineersenjoy their jobs so much! There are hundreds of engineering jobs out there and manycan be viewed at www.enginuity.org.uk and www.scenta.co.uk/careers

*as provided by the Institute of Careers Guidance