By Linda Cabral

Engineers build on the basics.

Food, clothing, shelter, transportation and communication are their domain. Count on them to design innovations, systems, solutions and structures on Earth and in other orbits.

They also are out front in entertainment, medical technology, military simulations and user-interface development. For example, University of Denver engineering students are among the few nationwide who can earn a degree in game development and animation, an $11-billion-per-year industry, according to Timber Dick with the DU School of Engineering and Computer Science.

DU focuses on programming skills, digital media, artistic design and game theory. Graduates are ready for careers in entertainment, as well as in medicine, military and other fields.

More DU students are preparing for mechatronics and robotics linked to Mars rovers, unmanned aerial vehicles and robotic surgeons. Informatics, cybersecurity and photonics studies also are based on growing demand in new commercial and research applications.

With the economy inching forward, it's no wonder these new techno graduates and other entry-level engineers are in demand to help get things up and rolling.
Employment writers Nora Caley and Doug McPherson found out more about this problem-solving occupation:

The latest Denver Metro Job Vacancy Survey reports about 140 job openings for computer engineers, and about 80 openings for other types of engineers.
Pay is $26.87 hourly for entry-level computer software engineers to $40.30 for experienced. Wages are $23.71 to $41.42 for entry-level to experienced engineers of all other specialties, according to the latest job vacancy survey.

That doesn't surprise local engineering professionals. "There has been more activity lately, as far as headhunters calling me," said Michael Rynearson, Colorado section chair for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. "Last year and the year before, we didn't have anybody calling looking for engineers."

Most job openings are for entry-level engineers who are recent college graduates, or engineers with more than 10 years of experience. "In that area of two to eight years of experience, that's where I hear more of our members are looking for jobs," he said. Some have left the field and changed careers.

"Contractors like to hire engineers out of college. They like how they think, how they work," he said.

Mark Hamouz, past president of the Colorado section of the American Council of Engineering Companies, agrees that entry-level engineers are in demand.
Employment for engineers and architects increased by 1,800 from January to April, with most job growth in the private sector. "A lot of it is residential building," Hamouz said. "There's a lot of cheap capital for developers to get hold of."

As developers build more homes, there is then a need for roads, bridges and other above- and below-ground systems, as well as for commercial buildings. That increases opportunities for architects and engineers, as well as for geotechnical workers, environmental experts and others.

"For civil engineers, in general, I haven't seen a decline in job opportunities," said Roxann Mackenzie Hayes, president of the Colorado section of the American Society of Civil Engineers. "There is quite a bit of construction, not only for new residential, but then you have the government providing infrastructure to that residential area. You're generally seeing steady employment opportunities for civil engineers."

She knows of a few civil engineers who have been out of work for awhile. Some have started their own business, while others still are looking.

"In our section meetings, people introduce themselves, and some people say, 'I'm looking for a job.' But, I can't say those are the same people month after month," she said.

In general, civil engineers are in demand. "Civil engineering is needed in every corner of the world," Mackenzie Hayes said. "Every place where there are people, you're going to need water, bridges and roads."

Jennifer Halstead, president of the Rocky Mountain section of the Society of Women Engineers, agrees that job prospects have improved for many engineering-related areas. "I have not seen any trends in any one direction, in any particular sector that stand out," she said. "One of our members went to an interview and was hired on the spot. That's definitely an improvement. And that wasn't really a position that was advertised."

Unlike some occupations, preparation for an engineering career starts in middle and high school. It is smart to focus on math and science, as well as English skills.

"Not only do engineers need to know how to explain phenomena mathematically, we need to be able to communicate our ideas in written word or oral presentations to others who may or may not have a technical background," said Faith Kay, regional governor for the Society of Women Engineers.

After high school, Arapahoe Community College offers a two-year associate's degree in engineering designed to let students complete the first two years of a four-year degree. Again, it's more math, science, English and humanities studies.
For those undecided, ACC also offers a one-credit introduction to engineering and the profession's numerous specialties.

In college and after, the U.S. Air Force "has a special need for technology majors, especially engineers," said Capt. Julie Newlin. Current in-demand specialties include electrical - "they're always at the top of the list," as well as environmental and computer engineers.

The USAF is hoping to attract students into engineering and, especially, into Air Force active duty, with university scholarships, valued at up to $15,000 annually, as well as paid student internships. These are offered at Metro State University, Colorado Technical University, DU and Colorado School of Mines, as well as nearly a dozen other area colleges.

Paid internships are geared to sophomore and junior students, and include an introduction to military life through ROTC programs. Those who enter the military track in college receive help with education costs and graduate as a second lieutenant with a four-year commitment to active duty. In general, they can choose civil engineering work or research assignments.

The benefit for USAF's new engineers is a management job, "supervising a number of people, right off the bat," Newlin said.

Civilian and other entry-level engineers, especially, may benefit from joining an engineering association. "We are very big on supporting each other and passing along opportunities," Halstead said.