Engineering careers span a number of distinct but often interrelated industries: Defence, Telecoms, Civil engineering and construction, Aerospace, Utilities, and Chemical industries (including petrochemical).
Above all engineers are concerned with making things that work. Defence systems that can be used in a variety of challenging terrains, telecom systems that can use integrated technology to handle increasing data volumes and so on.
The engineering world of the 21st century though vastly different from the time of Da Vinci still requires the creative way of thinking, the ability and energy to convert an idea into a product, and a streak of hard common sense capable of distinguishing the possible from the realms of the fantastical.
Modern professional engineers need all these qualities just as much but they also need a thorough formal education, and most graduate entry programmes require strong Al-levels with a 2:1 or above degree classification.
As the size and scope of engineering projects grow, engineers work together in teams with other engineers and professional from other disciplines. Professional engineers also have to deal with non-technical managers, clients and the general public. All this puts a premium on the ability to get on with other people and to communicate with them effectively. It is important to remember that engineering is directly concerned with people and not just with things. The work of a professional engineer can interact with many individuals, so character, integrity and a sense of social awareness are key to long term success
