Engineer

is a profession that designs and constructs buildings, machines, appliances, systems, materials and processes. In their works, engineers apply their understanding in natural science, math, economy and social obtained by study, experience and practice for the good of mankind. Compared to scientists, who explore what is, engineers create what has never been. Aerospace engineering is one discipline of engineering dealing with aircraft, spacecraft and missiles (http://www.careercornerstone.org). Aerospace engineers design, build and operate aerospace vehicles (such as airplanes, helicopters and jets), missiles, spacecraft and propulsion systems. Besides, they also supervise and test the manufacture of these products (http://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/). They develop new technologies for flight, defense systems and space exploration purposes, focusing on structural design, guidance, navigation and control, instrumentation and communication, and production methods (http://www.careercornerstone.org). Basically, there are two types of aerospace engineers namely aeronautical engineers and astronautical engineers (http://www.careercornerstone.org). Aeronautical engineers specialize in aviation vehicles, such as airplanes and helicopters, whereas astronautical engineers are those who work with spacecraft (http://www.careercornerstone.org). Aerospace engineers are usually employed in the aerospace product and parts manufacturing industries (Brockman, 2007). Indeed, today, their skills are also needed in other fields such as motor vehicles manufacturing industry (Brockman, 2007). In the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are approximately 71,600 aerospace engineers employed (http://www.careercornerstone.org). They are, indeed, often employed by famous and great companies such as 3M Company, IBM Corporation and NASA (http://www.careercornerstone.org). In fact, in Australia, aerospace engineers can also work in the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, ensuring that Australian aircraft are airworthy (http://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/). One of the largest, broadest and oldest engineering disciplines is mechanical engineering (Brockman, 2007). This discipline is mainly based on by the application of mechanics, energy and heat, mathematics, engineering sciences, design and manufacturing principles (Brockman, 2007). Generally, this

disciplines main concept is turning energy into power and motion (http://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/). Mechanical engineers design and build machineries and gadgets with the use of energy, materials and mechanics principles for domestic, public and industrial purposes (Brockman, 2007; http://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/). In fact, there are many example of mechanical engineerings well-known products: domestic appliances, industrial machinery, ships, aircraft, engines, pumps, compressors and turbines or complex systems such as the air-conditioning and ventilation systems of buildings (http://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/). Mechanical engineers are usually employed in the manufacturing and construction industries (http://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/). They often work in designing systems and power-generating industry (such as electric generators, internal combustion engines and steam and gas turbines), make products, move things and help in building (Brockman 2007; http://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/). According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States companies employ about 238,700 mechanical engineers (http://www.careercornerstone.org). Some well-known companies and manufactures that employ mechanical engineers are Adobe Systems, Inc., General Motors, Hewlett Packard, Intel Corporation and Motorola (http://www.careercornerstone.org). Besides, some mechanical engineering graduates are also able to work in the field of industrial engineering and building services (http://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/).

Bibliography: Aerospace Engineering. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.careercornerstone.org/aerospace/aeroearn.htm Aerospace Engineering. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.careercornerstone.org/aerospace/aerospace.htm Brockman, J. B. (2007). Introduction to Engineering: Modeling and Problem Solving. New Jersey, the United States of America: John Wiley & Sons Mechanical Engineering. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.careercornerstone.org/mecheng/meearn.htm Mechanical Engineering. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.careercornerstone.org/mecheng/mefield.htm What is Engineering?. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/professional-development/whatengineering