Engineering is a business, and like any business, it needs people with
management skills to make everything run smoothly. Many schools have introduced
majors in engineering management to train students in both the technical aspects
of engineering and the business side of things.
Many of these programs are master's degrees, though you'll also find
them at the undergraduate level. Often, they focus on a specific engineering
field -- for example, civil engineering management or industrial engineering
management.
Most undergrad programs take four to five years to complete. If you do
a co-op program, which involves work terms as well as academic terms, count
on taking five years to finish it.
Master's degrees take less time -- usually one to two years of full-time
study.
At the University of Missouri at Rolla, students can earn a bachelor's,
master's or PhD in engineering management, says professor Susan Murray. In
general, students must exhibit excellent scientific and technical skills
and demonstrate a desire to understand the business world as well.
Engineering management programs are often a cooperative effort between
engineering and business administration or commerce faculties. Another route
to a career in engineering management would be to get a bachelor's degree
in engineering and study business administration or commerce at the graduate
level.
Programs offer a broad range of courses in both engineering and management
techniques. At the University of Missouri at Rolla, undergraduate students
can expect to focus on math and science in their freshman and sophomore years
and humanities and management in their junior and senior years.
Peter Flynn teaches in a graduate engineering management program. His students
take one course in financial management, one course in people management,
and one course in modeling, simulation and operations research.
High school students should focus on math and science, says Henry
Wiebe. He is chair of the program at the University of Missouri at Rolla.
But communication skills are also important, so take English.
Computer literacy is also very important in any engineering degree.
"There is no extracurricular activity that specifically prepares you for
this program," says Flynn. "Students should ask themselves whether they
are comfortable managing others and dealing with the complex problems of people."
The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology accredits engineering
programs in the U.S.
Links
Occupational Outlook Handbook
For more information related to this field of study, see: Engineering
and Natural Sciences Managers
K12 Engineering
A site for people thinking about studying engineering
Engineering and Technology Management
From the Portland State University Library
National Engineers Week
Celebrating engineering achievement