Quiz: Which engineering discipline should you study?

17 May 2019

Engineering is a popular path for many who excel in STEM subjects.

Engineering is a broad subject that encompasses many specific fields, some which overlap and some which are drastically different.

An Engineering degree can set you up for a bright and rewarding career as engineers are highly sought-after by employers. These are the people who design new processes and come up with innovative solutions that impact our daily lives.

It offers great job prospects as engineers are highly paid professionals, valued for their skill and technical knowledge.

While some students find it easy to decide which field to head into, others struggle to settle on the best route for them.

The programme can be challenging and rigorous no matter the chosen discipline, so it’s wise to determine which field you would be most keen pursue long before starting college.

Take this quiz to find out this type of engineer you are – based on six of the most popular engineering degrees: computer engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, electrical engineering and chemical engineering.

Which of the following would you consider an interesting class?

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Computer networks - learning how networks such as LAN work together, as well as troubleshooting.

Biotechnology - covering basic scientific knowledge and its application to biotechnology in a lab setting.

Thermodynamics - a branch of physics that focuses on heat and temperature.

Building technology - learning about the fundamental processes of physics related to buildings and construction.

Power systems - studying the transmission of electrical systems and energy conversion.

Fluid mechanics - a branch of physics related to the mechanics of fluids and liquids at motion or at rest.

What's your ideal working environment?

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Anywhere with a computer

A laboratory

Somewhere I get to interact with others

Anywhere but a traditional office

Are you interested in medical sciences or healthcare?

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Yes

Do you like designing and working with machines and mechanical systems?

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No, that's not my thing.

Yes, for sure!

What about buildings - can you see yourself designing them and working on-site?

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Yes, I'd like to work with building materials and construction.

No, I'm not interested in buildings.

Are you comfortable handling electrical wiring and circuits?

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No, I'm not so keen on electrical stuff.

Yes, I am comfortable and interested in that.

Are you interested in fixing and designing computer hardware?

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I live and breathe computers, so yes.

I don't mind using a computer for work but not the hardware aspect.

Would you be keen on doing research and writing reports during your academic career and future job?

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No, I prefer practical application of knowledge rather than conducting research.

Yes, I enjoy conducting research.

Quiz: What type of Engineer should you be?

Biomedical Engineering

It looks like you will do well in the field of biomedical engineering, given your interest in medical sciences. Biomedical engineering is basically the application of engineering principles and design concepts to medicine and biology for healthcare and medical-related purposes. It's a rewarding career, as biomedical engineers typically design devices that potentially save lives, driving medical breakthroughs.

Chemical Engineering

It looks like the field of chemical engineering is the right fit for you. Chemical engineers are highly sought-after in many industries. They typically apply the principles of chemistry, biology, physics, and maths to solve problems involving chemicals, drugs, food, and the like. Many engineers do research to develop new processes and chemicals. The job outlook is promising, as chemical engineers are in demand worldwide.

Computer Engineering

Computer engineers are typically tasked with designing computer hardware/software and creating innovative solutions in the rapidly growing field of computers. Therefore, an interest in computers and how they work is a must. It's a specialised degree, differing from Computer Science (which mainly focuses on software). It's commonly known as an integration of computer science and electrical engineering, so if you're keen on both, you'll be suited to study computer engineering.

Electrical Engineering

An electrical engineer is typically responsible for designing and developing electrical equipment, as well as testing them and solving problems related to wiring and electrical devices. With today's world being heavily dependent on electronics and electricity, this job is always in demand and electrical engineers often enjoy successful careers. It's also good for those who like to be on-the-go and work outside a traditional lab or office environment.

Mechanical Engineering

Looks like you'll enjoy being a mechanical engineer! Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest and most popular engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers design mechanical systems and work with machines to come up with innovative solutions that work across many industries. It's closely linked to aerospace engineering and many schools offer dual programmes to accommodate the overlapping subjects.

Civil Engineering

Seems like you have a thing for buildings! Civil engineers design and apply their knowledge towards the construction and safety of buildings, as well as public works like dams, train systems, pipelines and more. It often requires engineers to be on-site, and they tend to work closely with environmental engineers to design buildings that don't do further damage to the environment.