Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary

Overview

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Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Education

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Job Training

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Examples

These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians.

Teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of machines, materials, instruments, processes, and services. Includes teachers of subjects such as chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, mineral, and petroleum engineering. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Yearly Salary

High: $188K
Median: $103K
Low: $55K

Demand

Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend

Core Tasks

  • Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
  • Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
  • Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
  • Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as mechanics, hydraulics, and robotics.
  • Initiate, facilitate, and moderate class discussions.
  • Supervise students' laboratory work.
  • Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
  • Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
  • Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
  • Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
  • Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
  • Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
  • Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.
  • Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks and laboratory equipment.
  • Perform administrative duties, such as serving as department head.
  • Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.
  • Review manuscripts for professional journals.
  • Participate in campus and community events.
  • Act as advisers to student organizations.
  • Provide professional consulting services to government or industry.
  • Compile bibliographies of specialized materials for outside reading assignments.

Technology Skills

Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Analytical or scientific software
The MathWorks MATLAB
Calendar and scheduling software
Calendar and scheduling software
Computer aided design CAD software
Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
Computer based training software
Sakai CLE
Electronic mail software
Microsoft Outlook
Information retrieval or search software
iParadigms Turnitin
Internet browser software
Web browser software
Object or component oriented development software
Python
Office suite software
Microsoft Office software
Optical character reader OCR or scanning software
Image scanning software
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Project management software
Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Web platform development software
JavaScript
Word processing software
Microsoft Word

Tools Used

Tool
Example
Audio and visual presentation and composing equipment
Overhead data projectors
Communications Devices and Accessories
Multi-line telephone systems
Components for information technology or broadcasting or telecommunications
Universal serial bus USB flash drives
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Desktop computers
Consumer electronics
Handheld microphones
Data Voice or Multimedia Network Equipment or Platforms and Accessories
Conference telephones
Metal cutting machinery and accessories
Computer numerical control CNC lathes
Office machines and their supplies and accessories
Laser facsimile machines
Photographic or filming or video equipment
Compact digital cameras
Raw materials processing machinery
Computer numerical control CNC mills

Top 10 Knowledge Required

Engineering and Technology
99%
Importance

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Design
92%
Importance

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Computers and Electronics
91%
Importance

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Mathematics
91%
Importance

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

English Language
88%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

Physics
84%
Importance

Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.

Education and Training
76%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Mechanical
69%
Importance

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Chemistry
65%
Importance

Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

Administration and Management
64%
Importance

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Top 10 Skills

Instructing
83%
Importance

Teaching others how to do something.

Learning Strategies
83%
Importance

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Speaking
83%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening
80%
Importance

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension
80%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Critical Thinking
78%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Mathematics
78%
Importance

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Writing
78%
Importance

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Judgment and Decision Making
75%
Importance

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Active Learning
73%
Importance

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Top 10 Abilities

Oral Expression
88%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Speech Clarity
85%
Importance

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Written Comprehension
83%
Importance

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Oral Comprehension
80%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Deductive Reasoning
78%
Importance

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Inductive Reasoning
78%
Importance

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Written Expression
78%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Category Flexibility
75%
Importance

The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

Information Ordering
75%
Importance

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Mathematical Reasoning
75%
Importance

The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.

Top 10 Work Activities

Thinking Creatively
93%
Importance

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Training and Teaching Others
93%
Importance

Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
93%
Importance

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Analyzing Data or Information
90%
Importance

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
88%
Importance

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Processing Information
88%
Importance

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Getting Information
83%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Working with Computers
83%
Importance

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Coaching and Developing Others
81%
Importance

Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
80%
Importance

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Research topics in area of expertise.
  • Write articles, books or other original materials in area of expertise.
  • Develop instructional materials.
  • Evaluate student work.
  • Write grant proposals.
  • Supervise student research or internship work.
  • Stay informed about current developments in field of specialization.
  • Attend training sessions or professional meetings to develop or maintain professional knowledge.
  • Teach physical science or mathematics courses at the college level.
  • Guide class discussions.
  • Supervise laboratory work.
  • Administer tests to assess educational needs or progress.
  • Prepare tests.
  • Evaluate effectiveness of educational programs.
  • Develop instructional objectives.
  • Maintain student records.
  • Advise students on academic or career matters.
  • Promote educational institutions or programs.
  • Perform student enrollment or registration activities.
  • Select educational materials or equipment.
  • Order instructional or library materials or equipment.
  • Serve on institutional or departmental committees.
  • Direct department activities.
  • Proofread documents, records, or other files to ensure accuracy.
  • Edit written materials.
  • Edit documents.
  • Plan community programs or activities for the general public.
  • Advise educators on curricula, instructional methods, or policies.
  • Compile specialized bibliographies or lists of materials.

Education

Interests

Social
83%
Importance

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Investigative
77%
Importance

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Realistic
70%
Importance

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Conventional
50%
Importance

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Artistic
46%
Importance

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Enterprising
29%
Importance

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Work Values

Achievement
81%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Independence
81%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Recognition
81%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Working Conditions
74%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Relationships
62%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Support
34%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Colleges

SAGE Scholars Member Schools that offer majors leading to this career.

Cornell College
Mount Vernon IA
Eckerd College
Saint Petersburg FL
Franklin College
Franklin IN
Point Park University
Pittsburgh PA
Villa Maria College
Buffalo NY

Check out the College Search to see the full list of schools with majors for this career.