How engineers keep your world turning
Whether you're developing property or driving to work, you just couldn't get by without the work of the unsung heroes of the modern world: engineers. Most people go about their lives blissfully unaware of the engineering work that makes modern existence possible, yet engineers are some of the most creative and clever people on the planet, designing savvy solutions to a diverse range of technical problems.
While the applications of engineering are virtually limitless, there are four basic kinds of engineers:
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Electrical
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Mechanical
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Civil
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Chemical
Here's a sneak peak of where you might discover each field of engineering in your daily life.
Electrical engineers
From environmentally friendly wind, hydro and solar energy initiatives to traditional electrical plants, electrical engineers keep the wheels turning. A significant portion of electrical engineers work in computer engineering, which combines knowledge of information technology with the principles underlying electrical systems. Next time you flick on the light or pick up the phone, you can thank the electrical engineer that made it possible.
Mechanical engineers
Mechanical engineers work with all things mechanical, solving everything from relatively down to earth mechanical problems to advanced and dazzling issues in nanotechnology. You'll find mechanical engineers hard at work designing anything from driverless cars to nuclear power stations, military aircraft and rockets destined for space.
An interesting specialisation within mechanical engineering is that of biomechanical engineering, which looks at the interactions of biological organisms and machines. The next time you gaze out across a pristine waterway or enjoy a glass of cool, clear water remember biomechanical engineers.
Civil engineers
Civil engineers keep you safe inside buildings and on the road. They are often engaged by government to design much of the infrastructure modern cities and towns rely on, including bridges, railway systems and highways.
Structural engineers are a specialised form of civil engineer that design buildings to accommodate environmental forces, while architectural engineers are engaged with the design stage of many large buildings. When natural disasters strike, civil engineers are at the forefront of rebuilding efforts across the world.
Chemical engineers
Perhaps engaged in the most fascinating field of engineering, chemical engineers solve problems through the application of chemical reactions. May of the things you use on a daily basis, from makeup and medicines to food and beverages, have been designed by chemical engineers.
Without engineers, life as you know it would simply come to a grinding halt. So take a moment to look around, and marvel at the engineered environment around you.
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