How to become an engineer

The title of chartered engineer (CEng) demonstrates your standing as an engineering professional. To reach this esteemed position, you'll need to achieve a postgraduate qualification and show the Engineering Council that you're a worthy candidate

Chartered engineers are looked upon for solutions to complex engineering issues, whether that's through the use of new or existing systems. As a qualified engineer you'll innovate and use your creativity to effect change on your industry, often being accountable for projects that come with significant levels of risk.

You'll be expected to achieve this by:

• putting your theoretical knowledge to good use
• managing the financial and personnel aspects of a project
• demonstrating skills that others in the industry can learn from
• explaining complex technical terms in an easy to understand way.

Reaching this level will require you to go through some or all of the following stages.

Study an engineering Masters degree

Having the right engineering professional qualifications is essential in this field, especially if you want to be awarded CEng status.

Despite this being the case, you don't necessarily have to study for an engineering Bachelors degree followed by an accredited Masters one after the other.

If you've been working in engineering since you graduated, you may find it's preferable to have had this break. Some non-engineering graduates choose to study a conversion course.

Alternatively, there are nine-year part-time integrated Masters degrees that set up your career in that direction from the beginning.

What is true is that you'll eventually require:

• an accredited Bachelors degree in engineering or technology
• plus an accredited Masters degree
• or an Engineering Doctorate (EngD)
• or an accredited integrated Masters degree
• or appropriate further learning to Masters level.

Read more about the engineering courses available at both college and university.

Choose an area of engineering

If you haven't already decided on the branch of engineering you'd like to work in, a general engineering degree can provide you with an overview of what's out there.

The main engineering disciplines can be divided into:

• chemical engineering
• civil engineering
• electrical and electronic engineering
• mechanical engineering
• software engineering

There are also many sub-divisions of engineering and areas related to other sectors, including:

• building and construction
• cyber security
• information
• manufacturing
• nuclear
• transport.

Once you're working as an engineer, it's advisable to apply for membership with a professional body.

Get relevant engineering work experience

In technical fields such as engineering, the ability to put your knowledge and skills into practice becomes even more important. Any opportunity to gain relevant work experience should be taken.

Many engineering degrees will include a sandwich year, or year in industry as it's also known.

However, if your programme doesn't contain this option, it's worth exploring the potential to do a summer internship or apply for an industry work placement.

This can be done by talking to your programme leader and applying yourself or finding out if your university has any links to industry.

Get the lowdown on securing engineering work experience.

Secure a job or engineering apprenticeship

After graduation you're under no pressure to continue your studies straight away. By applying for entry-level graduate jobs you can get your career off to a great start. Some engineering firms may even provide assistance for gaining further professional qualifications.

Engineering jobs and vacancies are advertised in all of the usual places, plus in specialist press such as New Scientist and The Engineer.

Professional bodies, of which there are 35 for engineering, also advertise vacancies.

Learn more about graduate engineering jobs.

Another option is to consider an engineering apprenticeship. Offered by the biggest names in engineering as well as local firms, you'll be able to earn a salary while learning your craft and achieving a relevant qualification.

Join a professional body

While this isn't necessary when looking to land your first graduate job, doing so provides you with access to:

• networking opportunities
• training events
• discussion forums
• the latest industry news.

All of these things help graduates to enter, develop and specialise in their profession. What's more, becoming a member of a chartered body is obligatory if you want to be assessed for registration as a chartered engineer (CEng) or an incorporated engineer (IEng).

Professional bodies that provide recognised training opportunities include the:

• Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) - From introductory to advanced levels, the CIBSE provides membership and a range of training courses to aspiring building service engineers.
• Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) - Offers a range of courses in areas such as personal development and leadership, process safety and sustainability. Training from IChemE is peer reviewed to ensure best practice is reflected.
• Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) - A registered professional body with the Engineering Council, membership provides access to several professional development courses.
• Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) - Offers the IET Advantage Scheme, a membership option that helps recent graduates to become CEng or IEng registered.
• Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) - The UK's only professional body representing those working in the field of engineering and technological product design.
• Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) - The only professional body that covers all aspects of food technology in the UK.
• Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) - Offers membership as well as access to training courses in management and technical subjects.
• Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) - Providing professional accreditation and training courses for structural engineers, IStructE offers both student and graduate membership.

Find out more

• Discover 5 exciting careers in engineering.
• Explore engineering graduate schemes.
• Get an overview of the UK's engineering industry.