The Versatility of an Engineering Degree

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    Are you majoring in engineering but you still don’t know what you want to do after graduation? Does the typical engineering job post-grad not seem like the right fit? Are you fascinated by the idea of using engineering approaches in vastly different fields? If any of this resonates with you, it may be worth considering alternative careers you can pursue with your engineering degree.  

 

    If the current job opportunities available don’t interest you, there is always the option to pave your own way. Entrepreneurship may seem like a daunting path to navigate, but the tools and skills you hone as an engineering student are exactly what can make you a great entrepreneur. There are so many reasons to become an entrepreneur, whether it's the million-dollar idea you’ve been thinking about for years, a passion for problem solving, or the desire to leave a lasting impact on the world. No matter which reason resonates with you, Purdue has opportunities to begin experiencing the world of entrepreneurship. The Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation is a five-course certificate that allows you to curate your courses based on your interests. The certificate ends with a capstone project where you get hands-on experience in areas such as creating a business plan, working with small businesses, participating in product design, and so much more. Additionally, there are always competitions happening around campus centered around entrepreneurship and innovation where you can collaborate and develop a product. Some of these opportunities even offer funding to truly make your concepts come to life.  

 

    If reading about entrepreneurship opportunities made you wonder how these inventors protect the rights to their new and unique inventions, you could pursue a career in patent law. Working in patent law allows you to work at the forefront of innovation and keep up to date with the newest creations being invented. Patent Attorneys are individuals with a bachelor’s degree in a technical field, such as engineering, who also have a law degree (J.D.), as well as passing the “patent bar exam.” If a four-year degree is enough for you, Patent Agents only need to pass the patent bar exam and can perform many of the same duties as an attorney. If these career paths interest you, Purdue offers the Intellectual Property Law for Engineers Minor. This is a 19-credit minor with courses in entrepreneurship, technical writing, law, and of course, engineering. This can be a great way to see if patent law is the right path for you, and even if you ultimately decide it's not, the minor provides useful skills that can be applied to a wide range of engineering careers. 

 

    Another pre-professional pathway that you can pursue alongside an undergraduate engineering degree is the pre-medical pathway. The engineering foundation you gain from working with complex systems and problem solving provides a great framework for navigating future medical programs and a career in medicine. Depending on your unique interests, you can curate your engineering degree to studying topics related to health and medicine such as wearable medical devices, nanotechnology for drug delivery, stem-cell research, and much more. It may seem challenging to take on both the pre-med requirements and an engineering degree, but specific majors such as Biomedical Engineering (BME) see a lot of overlap. Purdue allows you to count some BME required courses towards your pre-med requirements. About 10% of BME students attend medical school or an MD/PhD program, which is proof that this path is attainable. The key is working as early and as consistently as possible with your advisor to make the most of your courses and plan of study.  

 

    These are just a few great options for alternative ways you can use your engineering degree. This is not an exhaustive list of options, but rather a few examples to show that an engineering degree truly does open so many doors for you. So, if you’re worried that you don’t quite know what you want to do with your degree yet, just know that the possibilities are endless. 

Emma Howard, ME ‘29 

Recruitment Project Committee


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