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Careers in Engineering

Engineering Career Options


The engineering field has so many opportunities for careers, from those who enjoy doing math computations, to those who excel at working with their hands, and everything in between. Read on to discover only some of the exciting options you might discover when researching career options.

Electrical Systems Engineering students in the classroom

A Traditional Engineer uses their mathematical and science skills to calculate the design specifications of a product. This can include loads, types of materials, size of fasteners, and cost.
For example: Let's look at an engineer that is tasked with designing the wheels for a new vehicle. This engineer might look at the power output, acceleration, carrying requirements, and price-point for the wheel design. They would then calculate the appropriate size of the wheel and the number and size of the fasteners needed to meet all of these goals.
Tools used: Graphing calculators, spreadsheet software, stress-analysis software.

An Engineering Technologist works as an assistant to the engineer to help design, test, and/or work with the manufacturer to make sure the design can be made. This includes designing the product in CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software and creating the detailed technical prints. They may also be involved in making prototypes and testing them.
For example: An engineer has calculated the specifications for a new wheel. These specifications are then handed to the Engineering Technologist who creates a 3D CAD model of what the wheel will look like. The Technologist may then run computer simulations of it and review the design with the manufacturer. The Manufacturer might say something like, "your design has six bolt holes. That will cost a lot of money for us to change our equipment. If you change it to five bolt holes, we can use our existing equipment." The Technologist will then discuss this change with the Engineer. The Engineer might say, "I recalculated the design with five holes, and we can do it, but we will have to increase their size." The Technologist will then make those changes and create the final technical drawings used by the manufacturer.
Tools used: 3D modeling CAD software, spreadsheet software, test equipment.

These areas can then specialize in a particular technical field, such as mechanical design, electrical design, manufacturing, aerospace, biomedical, and more.

Which area is right for you?
If you are interested in the field of engineering, you will want to explore whether you prefer hands-on tasks, or computational tasks. A traditional engineer typically works with mathematical and physics computations using graphing calculators and/or specialized computer programs. An engineering technologist will typically work with computer programs to create a virtual object and perform basic tests. Some technologists may work in a testing facility to conduct real-life tests on the object or product.

Chart: Hands-on vs. Theoretical
  Interest Skills Physics Math
Traditional Engineering Math problems
Pattern recognition
Stress analysis University Physics Differential Eq.
Calculus III
4yr Engineering Tech. Spreadsheets
Using computers
Designing products
Product analysis
3D modeling
College Physics Calculus I
Calculus II
Trigonometry
2yr Technologist How things work
Making products
Technical drawings
Basic machining
Applied Physics Applied Math

Chart: Field-Mech, Electrical, Mechatronic, Bio, etc.
Mechanical Study and application of mechanical power, thermal energy, operation and design of mechanical systems.
Electrical Study and application of electrical power, electromagnetism, electronics, and design of electrical systems.
Civil Study and application of physical and naturally build environments from design, building, and maintaining.
Chemical Study and application of chemical, physical, and biological science, creating new materials and/or processes that can be beneficial to our world.

Engineering at ACC
Alpena Community College offers several programs of study related to engineering, such as
Pre-Engineering, Mechanical Design Technology, Electrical Systems Technology, and Industrial Technology

Pre-Engineering
This program of study is designed to get you started on your pathway to a traditional four-year engineering degree. By starting at ACC, you will reduce your cost, experience more one-on-one instructional opportunities, and be able to complete most of your required math and science courses. This will be equivalent to about your first two years at a university. Once you've finished your requirements at ACC, you can then transfer to a four-year university to complete your engineering degree.

Mechanical Design Technology
oceaneering_rov - Copy
This associate degree program is designed for students who want to work in the field of engineering and design at the applied level in positions such as engineering technician, designer, and/or CAD operator. The program emphasizes a hands-on approach to design, from the use of hand tools, to the utilization of the latest software and computers recommended by the industry. Theoretical, scientific, and mathematical topics are utilized and serve as a basis for the research and development of new designs. A technical elective allows for the customization of the program with courses ranging from manufacturing to electronics. Graduates can then move on to complete a four-year degree in the field of Engineering Technology and
 should consult with an academic advisor.

Engineering Technology
ACC offers several opportunities to pursue Engineering Technology. The courses you take at ACC can then be transferred to a university for a four-year Engineering Technology degree. ACC has degrees that are designed to transfer to some of Ferris State University's Engineering Technology degrees, for example:

Mechanical Design Technology (ACC) Transfers to (FSU) Product Design Engineering Technology
Welding Technology (ACC) Transfers to (FSU) Welding Engineering Technology
Machine Tool Technology (ACC) Transfers to (FSU and LSSU) Manufacturing Engineering Technology

If you are interested in the electric field, ACC also offers a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Systems Technology. This degree is a four-year degree that is designed to train individuals to install, modify, maintain, troubleshoot, and perform functional tests on electrical grid systems equipment.
For more information about ACC's Engineering Options, please contact the following personnel:


James Berles
ACC Faculty - Mathematics/Engineering/GIS
(989) 358-7256
David Cummins
ACC Faculty - Industrial Tech/CAD/Marine Technology
(989) 358-7224