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Day in the Life
Beginning engineering
technology graduates usually work under the supervision of others as
they gain hands-on experience in their industry or field.
Recent grads will be involved in more simple technical tasks, and
then progress to more involved work as experience levels increase.
Career options are broad for Engineering Technologists. After
initial on the job experience, an ET might choose to move away from
more technical responsibilities and become more involved in
management, sales, marketing, or other support areas. As our
society is increasingly dependent on technology, ET experience is
useful to large and small businesses, education, health care,
travel, and other industries.
Engineering
technologists usually begin by performing routine duties
under the close supervision of an experienced technician,
technologist, engineer, or scientist. As they gain experience, they
are given more difficult assignments with only general supervision.
Some engineering technologists eventually become supervisors. On a daily basis,
however, Engineering Technologists will apply their knowledge of
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to solve problems.
 Teams
and Coworkers
Almost all jobs in engineering technology require some sort of interaction with
coworkers. Whether they are working in a team situation, or just asking
for advice, most engineering technologists have to have the ability to
communicate and work with other people.
Tasks
Many engineering technologists assist engineers and scientists,
especially in research and development. Others work in quality
control--inspecting products and processes, conducting tests, or
collecting data. In manufacturing, they may assist in product
design, development, or production. Engineering
technologists who work in research and development build or set up
equipment, prepare and conduct experiments, collect data, calculate
or record results, and help engineers or scientists in other ways,
such as making prototype versions of newly designed equipment. They
also assist in design work, often using computer-aided design (CAD)
equipment.
Most engineering technologists specialize in certain areas, learning
skills and working in the same disciplines as engineers.
The
Workplace
Most engineering technologists work at least 40 hours a week in
laboratories, offices, or manufacturing or industrial plants, or on
construction sites. Some may be exposed to hazards from equipment,
chemicals, or toxic materials.
Note: Some resources in this section are provided by the US Department
of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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