Complete Guide Career Change For Engineers 2024

While an engineering career can be extremely fulfilling, issues such as burnout or changing goals may prompt you to pursue a new position.

Engineers have talents such as creativity, communication, and problem solving that may be used to a variety of disciplines. Learning more about how engineers change occupations can help you find a better job and achieve professional contentment.

Reasons for an engineer career change

Some reasons why you may want to transition away from engineering include:

• Burnout: An engineer’s long hours and demanding projects may result in feelings of burnout.
• Changing interests: Your interests may have changed since you chose an engineering career. For example, you may now want to explore more client-facing roles or careers with more varied duties.
• Career growth: If you have little room to grow in your engineering career, you might want to find another role that offers the potential for advancement and increased responsibilities.
• Earning potential: You may want a career that’s more lucrative and offers a greater earning potential over time.

11 alternative careers for former engineers

1. Technical writer

• National average salary: $60,541 per year

A technical writer develops sophisticated technical text for handbooks, manuals, websites, and journals. They can work in a variety of fields, including healthcare, information technology (IT), industry, and government. Technical writers frequently have a degree in their field.

2. Engineering professor

• National average salary: $79,764 per year

A professor teaches courses at the postsecondary level in community institutions and universities. They frequently hold an advanced degree in their profession. Professors plan and deliver lessons, evaluate students’ performance, and provide comments. In addition to teaching, many professors perform research and make contributions to their fields.

3. Consultant

• National average salary: $80,019 per year

A consultant is an industry expert who advises an individual client or business. Their guidance might relate to how to optimize processes or whether to expand operations. A consultant’s knowledge supplements what a client doesn’t know and ensures they have the necessary information to make strategic decisions.

4. Supply chain manager

• National average salary: $89,466 per year

A supply chain manager is in charge of a company’s manufacturing of goods or services. They may begin a project by procuring raw materials and maintaining inventory to ensure smooth operations. Supply chain managers also oversee the production process and ensure the quality of the finished product.

5. Actuary

• National average salary: $105,007 per year

An actuary works with companies to calculate risk levels using math and statistics. They analyze relevant markets and consumer trends to forecast events like floods, hurricanes, accidents, and fires. Actuaries frequently work for insurance companies to evaluate premiums and are professionally licensed.

6. Product manager

• National average salary: $106,627 per year

A product manager is in charge of the entire process of developing new products, from conception and design to launch. They contribute to identifying user needs, directing product features, assessing progress, and collaborating on deployment. Individuals with engineering skills can like working as product managers for computer and technology products.

7. Data scientist

• National average salary: $123,752 per year

A data scientist collects and analyzes information to help organizations plan for the future. They combine math, computer science, modeling and statistics to gain insights into the market and consumer trends. Their work helps companies set goals, determine prices, market products and consider expansion.

8. Quantitative analyst

• National average salary: $125,930 per year

A quantitative analyst uses statistics and analytical reasoning to evaluate risk, forecast behavior, and examine patterns. They report to executives and stakeholders. Quantitative analysts can work in financial institutions such as commercial banks, investment banks, wealth management businesses, insurance companies, management consulting firms, accounting firms, and financial software providers.

9. Software architect

• National average salary: $133,452 per year

A software architect is a senior decision-maker in an IT team who advises developers and companies on software design and functionality. They help to enforce technological standards and advocate platforms, programming languages, and operating systems for various projects.

10. Mobile developer

• National average salary: $137,105 per year

A mobile developer creates, tests, and maintains systems and apps for mobile devices. They can work for businesses to create brand-specific applications, or for cell phone manufacturers to create applications such as calendars and messaging programs that come standard with smartphones.

11. Patent attorney

• National average salary: $158,381 per year

A patent attorney helps clients get patents for their inventions and designs. They can work in a variety of fields, including healthcare, information technology, education, and defense.

How engineers can change careers

Here are some tips that can help engineers change careers:

1. Consider a new engineering specialty

While you may be burnt out in your present technical expertise, another may pique your curiosity. Transitioning across specializations can also help you improve your applicable engineering abilities. For example, a mechanical engineer may discover that they are interested in software engineering and pursue appropriate positions.

2. Identify your interests

If you wish to leave engineering totally, attempt to identify your hobbies and how your current work does not meet them. You might also pinpoint any aspects of your current role that you enjoy and make sure they are there in your next career. For example, a software engineer may appreciate the coding portion of their job but prefer less involvement in project management. Another example is a mechanical engineer who realizes they enjoy dealing with people but dislike working with machines.

3. Incorporate your education and skills

Once you’ve made a list of your interests, think about how they relate to your education and talents. This method helps you explore how you might apply your skills in a new career. Many abilities required for an engineering employment are transferable to other jobs. Communication, analytical reasoning, mathematical skills, and project management are a few examples. If you learn that other abilities are required for a new position, consider furthering your education or taking online courses to supplement your engineering degree.

4. Research various fields

With a more defined list of your interests and skills, you may start researching which fields match your career objectives. Consider looking into the following aspects of potential new careers:

• Average salary
• Work environment
• Typical schedule
• Responsibilities
• Opportunities for advancement

5. Narrow down your choices

You can begin narrowing down your career options based on your research and how each job fits in with your lifestyle, including:

• Pay requirements: Try to find a new job with a salary that covers your current expenses.
• Schedule obligations: You might also consider your schedule obligations when choosing a new career. For example, if you take your children to school in the morning, you might choose a job that allows you to work during normal business hours.
• Location: Consider if you are willing to relocate for a new position and where you would like to live. You might also inquire about relocation packages to help you cover moving costs.

6. Shadow an industry expert

Consider contacting industry experts in the sectors you’re interested in and asking to shadow them. This experience involves witnessing the industry expert in their workplace. Your experience might assist you decide whether you want to do those job obligations on a daily basis.

7. Complete an internship

If you want a more in-depth opportunity to investigate a potential job, try completing an internship. This experience allows you to immerse yourself in a new field and learn firsthand what it’s like to operate in that industry. You can also build contacts that will help you obtain a job after your internship. Internships are frequently part of college programs, but you can apply for one on your own if you are not enrolled.

8. Apply for jobs

Once you’ve decided on a new professional path, you can look for open employment on job search websites, in networking groups, or with friends and family. Consider upgrading your CV for your new profession to emphasize your transferable talents and relevant experience. You can utilize keywords from the job description in your resume to show that you’re a good fit for the organization.

You can also compose a persuasive cover letter explaining why you are changing careers and how your technical knowledge will benefit your new employment. If you seek for entry-level work in your new field, attempt to communicate your ambition to develop within the organization during the interview.