When it comes to Starting Salaries, Engineering School Graduates Make the Grade!

Sift through the graduates with bachelor's degrees, and find the ones who attended engineering schools. Separate those from the rest and you'll find one big difference- starting salaries. It's much higher for engineer majors than most others.

In 2001, the average annual income for someone with a bachelor's degree was less than $50,000. In 2002, the US Department of Labor reports that someone with an environmental engineering degree earned an average of $61,410. The median salary for someone with a mechanical engineering degree was $62,880!

But what does that have to do with you? You're not interested in engineering. You're interested in architecture, or agriculture and environmental sciences, or biology. Attending an engineering school wouldn't help you in your field... would it?

Engineers are Everywhere

Every industry needs a group of people who troubleshoot problems, and invent new ways to run things more efficiently. If you're comfortable with math and sciences,

Engineers apply theory to practice. Sometimes this means hours of research and calculation, but some jobs require more hands-on designing and testing than number crunching. Consider your preference before deciding on a specific engineering degree.

What can a graduate from an engineering school expect in the field? What's going to help them excel in their career? What are employers looking for?

Troubleshooting: Engineers find the answer to problems, or look for better ways to accomplish something. An engineering degree isn't enough. It's a mindset.
Team Work: Engineers usually work in teams, often under a managing engineer. Even those who work alone must be able to deal with customers, employers, and other staff to accomplish their goals.
Passion: The technology changes constantly. Your enthusiasm for your field will determine how well you keep up with it. An online engineering degree will prepare you for an industry, but it's up to you to maintain your continued education.What can a graduate from an engineering school expect in the field? What's going to help them excel in their career? What are employers looking for?

Planning for an Online Engineering Degree

How do you enter this exciting career? Start with some motivation. If you're at the once-in-a-life-time crossroads just after high-school, finding an engineering school should be easy. If you're like a lot of people who feel like their career is empty and that their one and only chance for success is over, it's time to take a fresh new look at the 'American Dream'.

It's never too late in this country. As a matter of fact, it might be easier now than when you first graduated from high school. Back then, some kids were lucky enough to have parents that would help with the tuition for engineering school. Many didn't. But no matter what someone was willing to pay for then, you're in control now. You can find employers who are willing to compensate for an online engineering degree. So working your way through college has never been easier.

So the first step is to think about the field you want to work in. But that doesn't mean you have to choose one before signing up with an online engineering school. While online engineering degrees are specific, it's OK to leave the major 'undecided' until you've thought it through.
Next, find out if your employer will pay for or compensate your education expenses. Many large corporations offer this as long as you continue in their employment after graduation. If not, decide if you want to find one that will help pay, or if you would rather stay in your position and use student loans.
Finally, find an online engineering school, and discuss your payment options with a financial advisor. Pay careful attention to the cost, what Pell grants you're eligible for, and how much a student loan will cover. Look into scholarships for someone in your situation. Even if it's only five hundred dollars, every penny counts.

Online engineering schools prepare you to become one of the pioneers who shape an industry. Whether you're interested in an environmental engineering degree, a mechanical engineering degree, an electrical engineering degree or even an electronic engineering degree (one of the most popular engineering fields), you'll become part of an industry front, forging the way for future generations.

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