Student learning during their engineering course.

How to Become an Engineer

Are you interested in maths, physics and technology? Perhaps you have good problem-solving and critical thinking skills?

If so, maybe you should consider becoming an engineer!

With an average salary of £40,000, the career is lucrative and secure, with many different avenues to take depending on your interests.

Read on to discover how to become an engineer and which engineering course might be best for you.

Why become an engineer?

Engineers can shape the future by designing innovative solutions to complex problems and contributing to advancements in technology across a wide range of industries.

The field is constantly changing, with no two days the same, so if you’re looking for an exciting career, engineering might just be the career for you.

Engineers play a pivotal role in addressing global challenges, such as climate change, healthcare, and sustainable energy. Their work directly impacts society, making a positive difference in people's lives.

Finally, engineering careers are often financially rewarding, with competitive salaries and lots of opportunities for professional growth. The demand for skilled engineers is global, providing the chance to work across the world.

So, with lots of different career paths to take, there will always be an avenue for you to find that you’ll enjoy.

Engineer average salary

Being such a specialist role with lots of demand, engineers tend to earn a good salary.

Starting at around £24,000pa and ending at around £100,000pa, the average engineer in the UK makes around £42,000pa!

What do engineers do?

Engineers are professionals responsible for designing and creating various things, ranging from buildings, smartphones and planes. They play a crucial role in project management, ensuring that plans are executed smoothly and efficiently.

With hands-on practical skills, engineers work on prototypes and engage in problem-solving to improve existing systems. Collaboration is key in their work, as they interact with diverse individuals, explaining complex technical details in a way that is accessible to everyone.

An example of a day-to-day task for an engineer could be designing and testing a new component for a manufacturing process. This might involve using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software to create detailed plans, considering factors like material specifications and dimensions. The engineer may collaborate with a team to discuss the cost of the design and its potential impact on the overall project.

How to become an engineer

Establish your engineering avenue

The good thing about engineering is that there are many avenues to take, including:

Civil engineering
Mechanical engineering
Electrical engineering
Electronic engineering
Aerospace engineering
Chemical engineering
Biomedical engineering
Environmental engineering
Computer engineering
Structural engineering
Automotive engineering

Study an engineering course at college

Here at TMC, we offer the following courses in engineering:

What’s more we’ll work to help you seek and secure employment in engineering upon completing your course.

Study an engineering degree

Once you have gained a Level 3 qualification, you can take your journey further by studying a university degree.

Most engineering roles require a Bachelor's degree. Consider universities with accredited engineering programmes to ensure you can gain the skills you’ll need for a future career.

Gain work experience

Want an opportunity to network and get to grasps with the industry?

A work placement can look fantastic on your CV.

When studying a T-Level, you will have the opportunity to work in a real-life engineering setting and learn from industry experts who work in the field.

Furthermore, at TMC we will help you complete a work placement with most programme’s of study!

Want the next steps in your education to be Engineering focused?

Explore our engineering courses and enrol today.