In Science Coop, we have been asked to research interesting careers in science fields. I have chosen two, being chemical engineering and electronic engineering.

Chemical Engineering

From myblueprint.ca:
“Chemical engineers design processes and equipment for large-scale manufacturing, plan and test methods of manufacturing products and treating byproducts, and supervise production.”
Chemical engineers also are often specialized in a particular manufacturing process or field of materials science, and can be employed to manufacture a variety of products, including food, clothing, and electronics.

A chemical engineer would typically work in an office or laboratory. There, they design equipment and processes to mass-manufacture the required chemical product, often needing to find a way to translate scientific principles into a practical form that is safe, environmentally friendly, and efficient. In addition, a chemical engineer would work together with their peers designing other systems, as well as those who implement their designs. They may travel to the facilities where their designs are implemented to direct operations or troubleshoot onsite.

To become a chemical engineer, one would have to acquire a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or a related engineering degree. Most programs offered for this degree can take up to 4 years to complete. In some cases, a higher degree in a related engineering field, such as a master’s degree or even a doctorate, can be required. In general, engineers must also be licensed and registered, with the former being acquired through a provincial engineering association and the latter can be done after at least 3 years of supervised work experience and an exam.

My analytical and cooperative strengths connect well to this career, as I would need to be able to solve problems and work with others frequently as a chemical engineer. My ability to make informed decisions would also be of great benefit. However, I do not have a vested interest in chemistry, which makes this career choice less than ideal.

Electronic engineering

From en.wikipedia.org:
“Electronic engineering […] is an electrical engineering discipline which utilizes nonlinear and active electrical components […] to design electronic circuits, devices, integrated circuits and their systems.”
Often, electronics engineers are responsible for implementing the theories of related fields like telecommunications and computer engineering to create equipment such as communications systems, navigational equipment, and medical monitoring devices. As such a broad field, electronics engineers are often specialized in a specific subfield.

An electronics engineer will typically work in an office, working with other electronics engineers to collaborate on various projects. They have to make use of various mathematical disciplines in order to design and troubleshoot, while also making sure to keep track of the various design and technical characteristics of a system. They will also have to be able to clearly relay designs and reasoning during development and production, as well as being able to explain problems to individuals who do not have the same level of technical expertise. An electronics engineer may observe any issues with their designs onsite.

A bachelor’s degree in electrical, electronics engineering or a related field is required for an electronics engineer. Most programs that offer this degree can take up to 4 years to complete. A higher degree in a related engineering field, such as a master’s degree or even a doctorate, may also be required. Like with other engineering careers, an electronics engineer must also be licensed and registered, with the former being acquired through a provincial engineering association and the latter can be done after at least 3 years of supervised work experience and an exam. Some employers may require a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification offered by the Canada Green Building Council.

Like with chemical engineering, my analytical and cooperative strengths connect well to this career, and I also have a substantial interest in Information Technology, related to electronics. However, I am not sure if my communication skills are up to the requirement for an electronics engineer, which is something I can improve on over time.