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First, some facts. Of the Engineering Technology graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 63 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 74%, Engineering Technology graduates have a higher likelihood (+7%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 17% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Engineering Technology graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 80% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2015 from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona with a Bachelor's degree in Engineering Technology. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONMachine Operator All Trade Specialties Jun 2015 - Aug 2015 Manufacturing Engineer  HiRel Connectors, Inc. Aug 2015 - Apr 2016 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking through the LinkedIn profiles of recent graduates with degrees in Engineering Technology, a clear trend emerges regarding the types of jobs they end up in. Many individuals have found roles as engineers, particularly in fields like manufacturing, civil engineering, and project management. Specific job titles include Design Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, and Project Engineer, which are common roles that frequently utilize the skills learned during their education. Additionally, positions like Field Engineer and Process Engineer also appear often, where the application of engineering principles is directly relevant to their studies.
However, not all career paths taken by these graduates remain closely aligned with their Engineering Technology degree. Some choose to venture into fields that, while sometimes leveraging certain skills, do not utilize core engineering principles regularly. For example, various roles in sales or project management may incorporate some technical knowledge but focus primarily on business practices rather than engineering technology itself. Jobs like Account Manager, Sales Engineer, and Business Development Manager are notable examples where the relevance to their degree is moderate at best.
Overall, while many graduates are securing jobs that closely relate to their Engineering Technology background, a significant number are ending up in positions that, although they may utilize some transferable skills, do not leverage the technical and engineering expertise that their degree provides. This suggests that while the degree opens doors to a range of engineering-related jobs, a good portion of graduates may find themselves in roles that stray from the technical applications of their studies, emphasizing the importance of aligning career choices with their educational foundation for the best utilization of their qualifications.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Engineering Technology graduates:
When analyzing the career trajectories of graduates with degrees in Engineering Technology, it’s clear that these individuals have seen a broad range of outcomes. It’s fascinating to observe that many recent graduates, particularly those from 2023, have an immediate focus on internships or entry-level positions closely aligned with their studies. For example, the graduate from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley secured internships at Oncor Electric Delivery right after graduation, while another from Texas A&M landed a role as a Civil Analyst at Kimley-Horn. This indicates a trend where fresh graduates often start off in positions that are directly relevant to their field, showcasing a strong intent to align their early careers with their education.
Five to ten years down the line, many graduates have transitioned into roles that might not always be directly related to the core engineering technology principles they studied. For instance, the graduate from Texas A&M University who began as a Field Engineer moved through various positions before settling as a Precast Specialist. This suggests a common pattern where professionals may diversify their responsibilities, climbing the corporate ladder but perhaps straying from strictly engineering paths. On the other hand, individuals from institutions like Southwestern Oklahoma State University who initially worked in roles like Hydraulic Fracturing Engineer ended up managing projects and leading business initiatives, indicating a shift toward managerial roles where technical skills are still valued but aren't the primary focus.
However, there are notable exceptions to this general trend. Some graduates have thrived in technical fields and appear to be continually moving upwards in their careers. For example, a graduate from the University of Texas at Brownsville has worked at United Launch Alliance in multiple significant roles, reflecting a solid career trajectory within the aerospace field. Moreover, graduates in roles as Project Engineers, Manufacturing Engineers, or Analysts show a tendency to either progress within specialized fields or shift slightly into management, aligning with their growing experience.
On the flip side, some graduates have taken paths that may seem less related to their engineering technology backgrounds. For example, truck driving or sales positions filled by individuals who once studied engineering can suggest a struggle to find suitable engineering-related job opportunities. It’s a reminder that while an engineering degree can open many doors, the real-world applications of that education can run a spectrum from highly technical roles to more transactional jobs that may not leverage the full breadth of their skills. Overall, while many graduates seem to find meaningful careers related to their education, there remains a significant portion who appear to divert into roles that don’t fully utilize their engineering technology degrees.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on your interests and strengths. If you love hands-on projects and problem-solving, you might find it engaging and manageable, but the coursework does involve a lot of math, physics, and technical subjects. It's generally considered harder than an average degree because you'll need to grasp complex concepts and apply them in practical ways. However, with the right mindset and dedication, it can also be super rewarding and fun, especially when you see your ideas come to life in real-world applications!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Engineering Technology.
Looking at the career paths of the Engineering Technology graduates, it seems like there’s a solid mix of success, particularly for those who graduated a few years back. For instance, the people from Texas A&M University and Southwestern Oklahoma State University have progressed through roles, ending up in managerial positions, which likely pays well. The one from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has just started their career with internships, so it's still too early to tell how they'll fare financially, but internships in this field usually lead to good opportunities.
On the flip side, some graduates didn’t appear to find roles that reflect the high-paying potential of engineering. Positions like truck driving and teaching seem far removed from the lucrative engineering roles many often chase after. Overall, while some grads are clearly moving into well-paying jobs and climbing the ladder, others might struggle a bit more to reach that financial success many aspire to in the engineering field. It really seems like experience and the right roles can make a huge difference in income.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Engineering Technology. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Engineering Technology (ordered by the average relevance score of their Engineering Technology graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: