Careers in Engineering & Geoscience

Careers in Engineering

Engineers put their problem-solving skills to use to make our world better.  They apply scientific theories to everyday practice to improve and expand the quality of our lives.  There are many disciplines of practice; some are traditional and well known while others are new and still evolving.

Aerospace engineers create the machines that take to our skies.  They design and develop the airplanes that take us across the world, the spacecrafts that send astronauts into space, and the satellites that monitor our weather systems and let us communicate with each other no matter where on earth we are.  This discipline continues to grow as our desire to explore the universe, and our place in it, expands.

Agricultural engineers apply traditional engineering principles and biological sciences to the agriculture industry, which is one of the largest industries in BC.  This includes designing farm and food processing equipment, agricultural machinery, irrigation, drainage, and waste disposal systems.  Despite its earthy image, some work in this field is quite futuristic, like bio-energy development, which creates new sources of fuel from biological materials such as sugar cane, corn, and even algae.

Biomedical engineers combine the principles of engineering with medical science to improve human health.  Biomedical engineers may focus on the bioelectrical (such as medical diagnostic or signal processing equipment), biochemical (such as artificial tissue, cells, and organs), or biomechanical (such as artificial limbs and movement devices).

Chemical engineers use raw materials to create a wide variety of products, from shampoo to pharmaceuticals to explosives.  They rely on chemistry, physics and mathematics to develop the processes that will be used to create these products, and may also design the necessary equipment.  They work in many fields, including manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, plant operations, petrochemicals, food processing, and environmental health and safety.

Civil engineers work in one of the largest areas of engineering to design, construct, and manage infrastructure.  The buildings, bridges, and roads we use every day are the work of civil engineers, who apply everything from statistics to hydrology to ensure our city infrastructure is safe, secure, and long lasting.  They also manage our drinking water resources and sanitation systems.

Computer engineers analyze and evaluate all aspects of computer systems.  They develop and design many technical systems, including microelectronics, telecommunications systems, power systems, and instrumentation.  This ever-evolving area employs people in almost every industry – from government and consulting to film and media.

Electrical engineers are involved in all engineering that relates to the use of electricity, electronic devices, and systems.  They work on power plants, computer technology, space technology, and telecommunications, and operate over a wide scale, from microscopic devices to national power distribution systems.  Electrical engineers have been involved in the creation of DSL, cellular phones, microchips, and solar power.

Environmental engineers constantly seek new solutions to environmental problems.  They use the principles of biology, chemistry, and civil engineering in their work, which can include water, air, and soil pollution control, waste management, and sewage treatment.

Forest engineers work with others in the natural resource field to make sure our forest environments are maintained and remain a valuable resource.  They must consider social and environmental factors in their work, which is widely varied and may include everything from planning and building a forest resource road, to replanting a section of forest that has been destroyed by fire, to designing and manufacturing forestry machinery.

Geological engineers work with the environment in mind when they design, construct, or determine the suitability of structures that will change the geology of an area, such as tunnels, dams, and pipelines.  Many geological engineers work in the oil and gas industry to study and develop petroleum and natural gas reserves.  Others work in government, consulting, and mining.

Industrial engineers develop and organize the machines, materials, information, energy, and people involved in the production process to maximize efficiency.  They are involved with plant design and management, logistics systems, quality assurance, and operations.  They are the connection between a company’s operational performance and its business goals.

Marine engineers design, operate, and maintain the equipment for marine vessels, including propulsion, electrical, sewage, and water systems.  Some marine engineers are also involved in naval architecture or ship building, designing and constructing the vessels that transport the world’s resources.  They produce everything from tankers and submarines to icebreakers and fishing vessels.

Mechanical engineers use their knowledge of mechanics, materials, and energy to design all kinds of machines and devices.  Mechanical engineering is one of the oldest and broadest engineering disciplines, employing people in robotics, manufacturing, building systems, and automotive production.

Metallurgical and Materials engineers extract, process, refine, and combine natural materials to manufacture substances that are stronger and will last longer.  Metallurgical engineers work with metal, while materials engineers work with other substances like ceramics, plastics, and composites.  Metallurgical and materials engineers use the materials they have optimized to improve processes in transportation, healthcare, and defense industries.

Mining engineers discover, extract, and prepare minerals they find in the earth for use by manufacturing and energy industries.  They design mine layout, supervise construction, and create a system for transporting materials to processing plants.  Mining engineers constantly search for ways to extract the natural wealth of the earth without permanently altering the surrounding environment.

Pulp and Paper engineers help to produce the paper products we rely on every day, from newsprint to tissue to recycled cardboard boxes.  Their training in chemical and mechanical engineering is put to use designing pulp mills, organizing their operations, and developing and fabricating the machines that turn wood into useable paper products.

Petroleum engineers work around the world to locate new reservoirs of oil and natural gas.  They work with earth scientists to determine the best drilling method for the rock that contains the reservoir, and monitor the drilling, extraction, and processing of the petroleum.  Petroleum engineers use their knowledge of geology, chemical, mechanical, and civil engineering, and are in demand wherever oil and natural gas are found.

Software engineers rely on computer engineering techniques and mathematical analysis to design, develop, test, and evaluate computer software; some software engineers might design realistic character movement for a video game, while others may design, while others may design a program that will simulate how water flow will stress certain points in a dam before it is built.

Careers in Geoscience

Geoscientists investigate the natural processes of the earth and its systems.  They help us understand how the planet was formed and how it might change in the future, and develop solutions for challenges such as climate change.

Geologists use geological data and principles to study volcanoes, the formation of mountains, and Earth history and ancient life, and locate and manage mineral and petroleum resources.  Geologists were responsible for determining the age of our planet – it’s about 4.6 billion years old!

Geophysicists study the physical movements of the earth and its systems.  They apply the principles of math and physics to study many processes, including earthquakes, ocean waves, glaciers, and the earth’s atmosphere.

Geochemists study the chemical composition and history of Earth and other planets.
They analyze the chemical composition of rocks and minerals to discover how the earth’s atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere interact. Geochemists study the origin of continents and ocean basins, as well as the chemical evolution of life.