Get a jump start on what you want do in college or test your interest before you get there by taking a class in engineering! Explore the different focus areas and opportunities. 

Take a class in engineering.

Becoming a certified professional engineer signals to clients that you are trustworthy and to employers that you are capable of higher responsibility. Take your engineering career to the next level and get certified!

Get certified as a professional engineer (PE). 

Prepare to take on that leadership role by gaining valuable management tools and techniques that help improve processes within an organization.

Get Lean Six Sigma certified.

CAD (computer-aided design) technology is essential for a variety of engineering specialties. Download a free trial and watch some tutorials to start expanding your technical skill set!

Familiarize yourself with CAD technology.

Technical drawing knowledge will help you in any career that involves projects that exist in three-dimensional space. Check out these tips to improve your skills. 

Stretch your technical drawing skills.

Check out these TED Talks on engineering. Choose one or two that interest you most to watch. Could you see yourself working on these kinds of projects and ideas?

Watch videos from the cutting edge of engineering.

Watch a short video about how photonics are innovating the medical field. Can you think of any other fields that can be drastically affected by this technology?

Learn how light energy is changing medicine.

Explore articles about the most recent innovations in photonics and optics. Are you interested in contributing to this research?

Stay up-to-date on photonics technology.

Watch a video for a crash course on fiber optic cables. What interests you most about this type of technology?

Learn how fiber optic cables work.

Photonics Engineers

Design technologies specializing in light information or light energy, such as laser or fiber optics technology.

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Investigative

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Realistic

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Artistic

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Conventional

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Enterprising

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Social

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Miscellaneous Engineers

Engineers, All Other

Architecture and Engineering Occupations

Engineers

Analyze system performance or operational requirements.

Develop optical or imaging systems, such as optical imaging products, optical components, image processes, signal process technologies, or optical systems.

Develop or test photonic prototypes or models.

Design, integrate, or test photonics systems or components.

Assist in the transition of photonic prototypes to production.

Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in the field.

Write reports or proposals related to photonics research or development projects.

Conduct testing to determine functionality or optimization or to establish limits of photonics systems or components.

Determine applications of photonics appropriate to meet product objectives or features.

Photonics Engineers

Overview

Career

What Photonics Engineers Do

Other Job Titles Photonics Engineers May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Photonics Engineers

Overview

Career

What Photonics Engineers Do

Other Job Titles Photonics Engineers May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Photonics Engineers

Majors Related to Career

Related Careers

Related Leaders