Engineering Technicians

Employers

Approximately 404,300 engineering technicians are employed in the United States. Electrical and electronic engineering accounted for almost 25 percent of engineering technology jobs in May 2023, according to the Department of Labor. Industrial engineering (18 percent), civil engineering (16 percent), and mechanical engineering (10 percent) were other top categories.

Starting Out

Most technical schools, community colleges, and universities have career services offices. Companies actively recruit employees while they are still in school or are nearing graduation. Because these job services are the primary source of entry-level jobs for engineering technicians, you should check out a school's placement rate for your specific field before making a final decision about attending.

Another way to obtain employment is through direct contact with a particular company. It is best to contact the personnel department and include a resume summarizing your education and experience. If the company has an appropriate opening, a company representative will schedule an interview with you. There are also many excellent public and commercial employment organizations that can help graduates obtain jobs appropriate to their training and experience.

Newspaper want ads and employment services are other methods of getting jobs. Professional or trade magazines often have job listings and can be good sources for job seekers. Professional associations compile information on job openings and publish job lists. For example, the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians offers lists of job openings at its Web site, https://iscet-jobs.careerwebsite.com. Professional organizations are also good for networking with other technicians and are up to date on industry advancement, changes, and areas of employment.