A lot of American college graduates have regrets about their major. According to a Federal Reserve Survey, nearly 2 out of 5 would now choose a different field of study if given the chance. Not to mention, regret is higher among liberal arts majors. Nearly half of those who graduated with majors in humanities, arts, and social/behavior studies regretted their decision.
Meanwhile, those who majored in STEM showed more satisfaction in their area of study, with engineering coming out on top! As an organization that constantly strives to inspire and shape the next generation of engineers, we at NJSPE were naturally ecstatic about this. Let’s break down a few factors that contribute to this satisfaction in engineering (and if you’re college-bound, why you should choose engineering as your major!)
We’ve seen time and time again that STEM majors are more likely to earn more in their careers, compared to the humanities. In this article by Washington Post, you’ll find that Engineers show some of the highest salaries, with the following areas of study all in the top 10 of earnings by college major:
Now, money can be a deciding factor when considering any major. Let’s explore a few other reasons that might lead to engineers regretting their major less.
Engineering is an exciting field that can provide graduates with a whole world of opportunities. It’s a great field that offers different pursuits you can follow based on any personal or career interests that you feel passionate about. In addition to some of the top earners in the field, some common engineering majors might include:
When it really comes down to it, engineering can apply to virtually any field, because wherever there are problems, someone is needed to engineer a solution!
STEM fields have been on the up and up for the past ten years, all the while many humanities fields are caught in a downward spiral. The number of graduates in engineering has increased over 50% since 2011. There are a couple reasons for this. Firstly, many young professionals sought more secure career prospects in the wake of the financial crisis. The nationwide pro-STEM campaign over the past several years undoubtedly factors in, especially as the humanities and arts come under fire for being low earning, ‘worthless’ degrees.
Job security is another factor that contributes to American graduates regretting their major. It’s helpful to know that in the case of engineering, career opportunities within the industry are projected to grow in coming years. According to an article by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there should be over 139,000 new engineering jobs created by 2026 (compared with 2016).
What do you love about being a professional engineer? Do you ever wish you’d done something differently? Let us know your thoughts! NJSPE prides itself on promoting, serving, and representing New Jersey’s engineering professionals for the public’s benefit. Stay connected year-round as a member of NSPE – join today!
Are you looking for a fulfilling career in professional engineering? We can help! The NJSPE Career Center offers professional services to help you build and manage your career for maximum potential for success. Check out these resources!
Browse job opportunities both across the country and abroad! With hundreds of job postings available within the industry, our job board is designed to help you find the right fit for your career. Once you post your resume, you can start applying, and even get daily alerts with jobs matching your search criteria! You can also easily filter postings by keywords or location to narrow your search. View our job listings here and start progressing your career!
Our career coaches are here to help guide and empower you in your job search. While they come from a variety of backgrounds, each coach graduated from an accredited coach training program, and are certified in behavioral style analysis and interpretation
Getting noticed is the most important step of the job search process. Whether you’re a mid-career professional, a senior executive, or just entering the job market, our experts are ready to critique & edit your resume or LinkedIn profile to help you stand out.
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Looking for new ways to develop your career? Our career learning center is designed to both instruct and entertain, with video and written presentations tailed to further both your personal network and your career.
Learn more about NJSPE’s career center here. NJSPE prides itself on promoting, serving, and representing New Jersey’s engineering professionals for the public’s benefit. Stay connected year-round as a member of NSPE – join today!
The global pandemic, COVID-19, has reshaped the industrial climate. Searching for the perfect job seems more daunting than ever, but there are companies all across the country searching for new employees! With resources like the NJSPE job board and professional connections with other members of NJSPE, getting a New Jersey engineering job might be easier than you think. Check out these new opportunities that are available right now!
Civil Design Engineer
Van Note-Harvey Associates Inc
Princeton, New Jersey
Van Note-Harvey Associates, Inc. currently has two openings in its Princeton office for a full-time, entry-level Civil Design Engineer. The ideal candidate is expected to complete engineering design of site development projects, within budgetary and schedule targets, including drawings, supporting calculations, and report writing.
Aspects of the job include (but are not limited to):
Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:
Working Conditions & Physical Requirements
This is a largely office role requiring frequent and prolonged computer use. This position requires occasional travel to and from project sites/meetings and may require overtime, evening and/or weekend work depending on project needs. In an outdoor working environment, exposure to extreme weather conditions may occur.
Senior Capital Compliance Analyst
NJ Transit
Newark, New Jersey
Internal Number: 24856
Senior Capital Compliance Analyst to assist in facilitating the Capital Programs oversight and compliance program to ensure projects satisfy all external and internal oversight requirements.
Forbes List of America’s Best Employers 2021
Move Forward with us! At NJ TRANSIT, you’ll join us in transforming the third-largest transportation agency in North America. We are committed to delivering safe, reliable service that gets our customers to their destinations on time- and we’re looking to hire talented folks with a commitment to excellence.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Education, Experience and Qualifications:
Knowledge and Skills:
Other desired skills:
Director, Clinical Quality Assurance
Eisai
Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey
Internal Number: 97463007
At Eisai, satisfying unmet medical needs and increasing the benefits healthcare provides to patients, their families, and caregivers is Eisai’s human health care (hhc) mission. We’re a growing pharmaceutical company that is breaking through in neurology and oncology, with a strong emphasis on research and development. Our history includes the development of many innovative medicines, notably the discovery of the world’s most widely-used treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. As we continue to expand, we are seeking highly-motivated individuals who want to work in a fast-paced environment and make a difference. If this is your profile, we want to hear from you.
Job Summary
This position is responsible for managing activities within the Clinical Quality Assurance function in the US and EMEA. This includes conducting internal and external CQA audits to assess compliance with government regulations and ICH guidelines, as well as with company policies and procedures. This position or its delegate is also responsible for facilitating health authority inspections at clinical facilities and study sites. In addition, this position provides for oversight of clinical compliance issues as well as validation deliverables for Clinical GxP systems and software, and GCP training.
Essential Functions
Requirements
Eisai is an equal opportunity employer and as such, is committed in policy and in practice to recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status. Similarly, considering the need for reasonable accommodations, Eisai prohibits discrimination against persons because of disability, including disabled veterans.
Eisai Inc. participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of all new hires in the United States. Please click on the following link for more information:
Product Safety Specialist
EISAI
Woodcliff Lake, NJ
At Eisai, satisfying unmet medical needs and increasing the benefits healthcare provides to patients, their families, and caregivers is Eisai’s human health care (hhc) mission. We’re a growing pharmaceutical company that is breaking through in neurology and oncology, with a strong emphasis on research and development.
Job Summary:
Responsible for receipt and documentation of safety information for Marketed and Investigational Products. Interacts with health professionals and consumers to obtain and follow-up on reports of possible adverse events with Eisai products. Provides product information to health care professionals, consumers, and sales representatives. Codes and enters information into the global safety database. Verifies the accuracy, completeness and validity of information for each adverse event report for which he/she is responsible. Assures consistency of case records and documentation. Creates and ensures distribution of regulatory reports for FDA and other regulatory health authorities.
Requirements Overview:
Civil Engineer II
Bowman
Cedar Knolls, New Jersey
Key Responsibilities
Success Metrics
Minimum Requirements
These five are only a sampling of the jobs currently posted on the NJSPE’s job board. Visit our website to stay up to date with the most recent engineering jobs all over the country as they become available. You can even create a job alert that will email you when new opportunities are posted! Check out NJSPE’s job board to learn more!
Whether you are just getting started in your engineering career or are a seasoned veteran looking to give back to the community, joining a professional engineering organization has a variety of benefits. A professional engineer membership is open to anyone holding a valid license as a professional engineer, engineer-in-training or engineering intern certification in the U.S., Canada, or an international equivalent. So what are the benefits of joining the New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers (NJSPE)? There are many great benefits, including:
Professional engineers can also join a practice division to gain even more membership benefits. These divisions specialize in construction, education, government, industry, and private practice. Interested in these valuable engineer association benefits? Apply to become a member here.
Numerous people continue to work from home and practice social distancing as we settle into 2021. Although some industries have made strides towards business as usual, it is important to keep in mind how the global health crisis has impacted and will continue to influence professional industries.
In engineering the ability to work from home is dependent on the facet of engineering in question. Luckily, engineering is a necessary industry. Engineers create a variety of structures and products to maintain and progress our daily life. “With more Baby Boomers leaving the job market than Millennials and Gen Zs entering these jobs, this makes engineering jobs in high demand.” Says Nichols from Austin Nichols Technical Search.
Prior to the pandemic the The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projected employment growth for the engineering field to nearly 140,000 new jobs over the 2016–26 decade. On account of the demand of medical technology, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality. With that in mind it is unlikely the pandemic will slow the growth of the industry.
This is not to say that Covid-19 will have no effect on the engineering industry. The financial impact of the pandemic will influence the future of all industries, engineering included. A video featuring Erica Groshen from Cornell University’s Cornell Chronicle, referenced the below changes as possible modifications across the board professionally.
New terms and conditions at work
More sick leave
Operative procedures that allow more employees to work from home
More domestic manufacturing
More remote connectivity
Further automation, which leads to artificial intelligence
While the day to day look and feel of the engineering field may shift to suit a post pandemic world it is clear that the engineering job market is alive and well. If you are considering which engineering field to pursue you may want to research a career in artificial intelligence, as Groshen predicted the need for that industry will only continue to grow.
As we settle into 2021 we look forward to a time after the COVID pandemic. When a sense of normalcy will descend upon us and our daily routines will consist less of Zoom meetings and more of time spent with family and friends. However we are still living in the present and need to make the most out of our time in solitude. What better way than to boost your professional resume with a new learned engineering skill. Below you will find a list of online engineering educational resources for growing your skillset.
We hope you are able to take full advantage of these affordable educational engineering resources. As you continue to grow your engineering skills and professional resume.
If you’re still in college and want to get your foot in the door of the engineering industry, you’ve come to the right place! Taking advantage of the resources available to you now will really show initiative and might even score you your dream job. From resume writing to building your network, NJSPE is here to help you kickstart your engineering career. Here are a few resources you can use to put yourself out there and maximize your chances of getting hired.
While you’re in college, one of the most valuable things you can do for your future is to join a professional engineering society. NSPE and state chapter memberships are absolutely FREE for college students who are enrolled in an ABET-accredited engineering program. As an NJSPE member, you’ll have access to free on-demand courses that will help you navigate your career.
When you’re submitting your resume into a pool of hundreds of others, it’s important to stand out with a killer resume. As an engineer, it’s a good rule of thumb to emphasize your technical engineering skills and utilize keywords in your resume from the job posting (yes, this means that you should be tweaking your resume for every job you apply for). Check out these resume writing tips and examples to follow.
If you’re ready to start your job search, a great place to start looking for brand new opportunities is on NSPE’s Engineering Jobs Twitter account. They typically post jobs multiple times a day throughout the week and on Twitter, you can easily turn on notifications so you’re the first to know about new updates. If you’re looking for jobs in New Jersey, you can also follow NJSPE’s job board. When you create an account, you’ll be able to turn on job notifications that match your preferences!
A great way to get your foot in the door of the engineering world is to join the student NSPE chapter at your school. If you’re not sure if your school offers it, check out this list of available chapters. If you don’t see your school on the list, you can learn how to establish a student chapter at your school! Student chapters are a good place to start creating connections and can give you the opportunity to get and share career advice with your peers.
Engineers and networking might not seem like the most likely pair, but just like any other job industry, relationships are key! Putting yourself out there to meet engineers that are in all different stages of their career journey can really help to give you insight on how to navigate the profession. Additionally, a valuable connection could even help you get hired in the future. Check out this blog post on how to build your professional network as an engineer.
We hope you’ll be able to use some or all of these resources to kickstart your engineering career! Join NJSPE today to get started.
During these coronavirus times, you may think it’s next to impossible to find a new job. On the contrary, there are companies all across the country that are still searching for new employees! With resources like the NJSPE job board and professional connections with other members of NJSPE, getting a New Jersey engineering job might be easier than you think. Check out these new opportunities:
National Forensic Consultants
Newton, NJ
Seeking Civil/Structural Engineers to provide investigation, analysis, reports, and testimony where technical and scientific answers are needed to help resolve both civil litigation and non-litigation matters.
Requirements Overview:
ACTIVE DESIGN GROUP (ADG)
Newark, NJ
An established Structural Engineering and Design firm located in the NYC Metropolitan area (Newark, NJ) is presently looking for entry-level and mid-level Structural Engineers. Job duties include performing structural analysis and design/details of building structures and acting as a Project Engineer on various projects.
Requirements Overview:
M&Z Engineering Associates, P.C.
Monmouth Junction, NJ
Job duties include: managing structural and civil engineering projects; managing project design and construction plans and facilitate license and permit approvals from the relevant city, county, and state agencies; preparing project fee estimates, specifications, budgets, schedules, and invoices; managing project budgets and schedules; communicating with clients and other project stakeholders to ensure consistency and ongoing approval of project plan; approving changes to structural and civil components of the plan; providing ongoing quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) during the project duration and resolve engineering concerns raised by civil and structural engineers; ensuring designs properly accommodate power engineering specifications and requirements.
Requirements Overview:
ORAU
Atlantic City, NJ
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is offering post-Master’s and post-Doctoral fellowships for their Visiting Scientist Program cohort at the Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL). You will join a cohort of post-graduates in a new endeavor in threat detection technology and applied research, specifically related to synthetic data generation, testing and evaluation. The need to develop synthetic methods to test new Deep Learning algorithms is paramount and the proposed research is new and cutting edge.
Requirements Overview:
New Jersey Department of Transportation
Trenton, NJ
The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) is seeking currently enrolled college students who are completing their junior year and are interested in exploring a career in the field of Transportation. The NJDOT plans, designs, builds and maintains New Jersey’s transportation infrastructure with the goal of improving the roadway travel experiences of the motoring public. These temporary summer hourly positions are available in multiple career disciplines.
Requirements Overview:
Stay up to date with the most recent New Jersey engineering jobs as they are added to the job board. You can create a job alert that will email you when new opportunities become available! Check out NJSPE’s job board.
During the coronavirus pandemic, just about every industry has taken a hit. Many companies have laid off employees leaving hundreds of thousands of Americans wondering what the next step will be. With no set expiration date on this pandemic, it’s important to be as productive as you can during this time. If you’ve been laid off, are between jobs, or are just about to graduate with an engineering degree, these tips are for you.
Most companies are moving to remote work to comply with federal and state guidelines and it’s undoubtedly a big switch. This can take some time for a company to adjust and they might not be hiring right away, but don’t assume that you shouldn’t continue to send out resumes. If companies aren’t hiring now, they will be eventually. If you keep applying, your resume will be on file for the next time they need someone new. Be aware that available positions might disappear from the web for the time being. During a transition period like this, companies may be putting job openings on hold for a few weeks but they are likely to return!
If you’ve had your eye set on a certain company or position but they’re not hiring right now, you have two options. You can put your job search on hold if you’re in a position to do that or you can find a job elsewhere so you can start generating some income. During an uncertain time like this, you don’t need to be looking for your dream engineering job. There are a handful of industries that still need help during coronavirus. Anything in the medical or medical supply industry is likely going to need help. It’s worth a quick Google search of different industries to see who’s hiring.
You shouldn’t give up on networking and building relationships just because you can’t meet someone in person! Get creative and take to the internet. Linkedin continues to be one of the best online resources for connecting people and building professional relationships. With all this free time on your hands, try to get on Linkedin and interact with people or companies for at least ten minutes a day.
If you had a networking event or conference in your calendar, it’s likely been canceled. However, it could’ve been moved to a virtual platform! Check and see if your event has been moved online and afterward reach out to the organizers/speakers to continue the professional relationship.
We don’t mean to bug the hiring manager by repeatedly asking about the status of your application. After applying for a job, check in with the hiring manager by email to see where the company is at with future hiring in light of the pandemic. That being said, it’s important to acknowledge that the company may be scrambling during the transition from office to remote work. In your email, acknowledge that you know this isn’t an easy time for companies but you’re here to help whenever the company is ready to hire again. This thoughtful approach can connect with someone on a human level and could keep your name at the front of the application pile.
The free time you have can be used in smart ways! You can perfect your resume or grow your skills to add even more to your resume. There are tons of online resources for learning new skills, earning certificates, or, if you’re already a professional engineer, earning continuing education credits! See what skills you can perfect with an online course. NJSPE offers continuing education courses here.
It’s also a great time to think about what you really want to do next. Think about where you want to work and the type of role and title you’re looking for. You can think beyond the pandemic by determining where you want to be in the next five or ten years. If you create a goal now, you’ll be able to map out the path to achieving it!
Finding a New Jersey engineering job during a global pandemic may not be the easiest thing, but it’s not impossible. Keep up your search and don’t give up! If you use this time in a productive way, you’ll be able to get your hands on more opportunities later.
A new year is the perfect opportunity to start applying for a new job. If you’re still a student, it’s the best time to start planning for a summer job or internship! Opportunities for engineering jobs in New Jersey are popping up all the time. NJSPE’s job board is consistently updated for your convenience. Keep an eye on the New Jersey job list here and learn more about the featured job opportunities below.
Princeton University
The Civil Engineer will be responsible for implementation of an array of projects associated with the development, installation, rehabilitation and maintenance of 200 miles of underground utilities and four million square feet of roadways, walkways and plazas.
Type: Full-time
Experience: Five to ten years of experience in a civil engineering or civil construction related field with progressive responsibility.
Learn more >>
Whippany Actuation Systems
Whippany is looking for a dynamic leader with extensive AS9100 and AS9110 knowledge to oversee our highly skilled team of quality engineers and quality inspectors to support existing production, new product development, and aftermarket repair of aerospace actuation products. In this role you will have significant responsibility with internal teams, external customers, air framers, and regulatory authorities.
Type: Full-time
Experience: Five years of experience in quality system planning and quality improvement methods within a highly regulated environment.
Learn more >>
Eos Energy Storage
The mechanical engineer is expected to have sound knowledge of mechanical engineering principles, fundamental understanding of materials and process development, and the ability to apply these to solving problems and innovating new solutions.
Type: Full-time
Experience: Five or more years of experience – solid modeling experience with Solidworks, I-Deas, Unigraphics, Pro-Engineer, or CATIA
Learn more >>
NJ Transit
Ten-week paid internships are available for college students enrolled in an accredited college or university. Opportunities are available in Newark, Maplewood, Orange and Kearny, New Jersey.
Internships are available for numerous majors including:
Type: Internship
Experience: Less than two years
Learn more >>
While you’re on the NJSPE job board, create an account to apply for New Jersey engineering jobs with ease. You can also take advantage of helpful career resources like reference checking, resume writing, career coaching, and becoming an NJSPE member.
