One of the first questions that come into mind when considering any prospective program is: Where will it lead me? A master’s in engineering management (MEM) degree is no exception. If you are wondering what you can do with an MEM, consider the skills you will acquire within the course, the benefits, and the career opportunities that will be available once you graduate.
What Can I Do With a Masters in Engineering Management?
First, What is a Master’s in Engineering Management?
A master’s in engineering management is a graduate degree program that offers graduate students a good blend of technical engineering and business management skills. This graduate degree program is meant for engineers who desire to lead and manage engineering teams on top of performing technical duties.
Why a Master’s in Engineering Management?
As an engineer manager, some of your primary duties will include project management, research, and product development. You will oversee a team and formulate plans to ensure projects are completed successfully. You will manage staff from diverse engineering disciplines, and sometimes cross-disciplinary and global teams.
The soft skills related to supervising and hiring do not always come easily to engineers, but these skills can be learned through pursuing an MEM degree. Other skills you will acquire include communication, planning, delegation, negotiation, problem-solving, stress management, and team-building skills.
What are the Career Paths Available for MEM Graduates?
For working professionals with a master’s in engineering management, several industry fields are growth areas. These include logistics, technical consulting, chemical engineering consulting, manufacturing, and many others. Here are some of the career choices available for you after pursuing master’s in engineering management:
Project Engineer
A project engineer is a professional who oversees technical staff on engineering projects in an organization. They ensure that technical projects are completed within budgets and are on schedule, while meeting all project specifications. They have a huge responsibility to ensure efficiency in every technical task, as well as sustain smooth communication between the project lead and technical staff.
The average salary of a project engineer in the US is $70,887, with top prospective work locations being New York City, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.
Project Manager
A project manager is a professional whose responsibilities include procurement, planning, and execution of projects with a definite goal, both in engineering fields and other industries. A project manager, even when possessing the technical know-how, does not execute tasks directly. Their work is to maintain progress, ensure cohesion between co-workers, and strive to maximize the success of a project. They also analyze risks involved in a project to ensure maximum profit and minimal loss.
The average salary of a project manager is $73,487, and the most prime locations for this role are New York City, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and Chicago.
Cost Analyst / System Analyst
A cost analyst in the engineering field analyzes the organization’s costs and makes recommendations on the best use of available resources. They hand over this analysis to top management for major decisions.
A system analyst designs and analyses techniques that will solve problems using engineering and technological processes. A system analyst can spearhead change in an organization by identifying areas in a system that need improvement, design new systems, and train teams how to use the new systems.
The average salary of a cost/system analyst in the engineering industry is $64,734. Top locations for career opportunities include New York City, Washington, D.C., Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
Construction Management Engineer
A master’s in engineering management graduate is well prepared for a position as a construction management engineer. This role entails overseeing a variety of construction projects such as electrical systems, commercial buildings, and residential properties. Construction management engineers inspect sites and systems, lead and supervise teams, manage costs, and prepare reports. While they mostly work from offices, construction management engineers often need to do site visits to oversee and maintain relationships with on-site crews.
The average salary of a construction management engineer is US $73,449. Prime locations for the role include Houston, New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
Industrial Management Engineer
Just like an industrial management engineer, this role involves overseeing industrial projects and supervising teams of industrial engineers. Their key mandate is to minimize wastefulness in engineering processes. They also offer insight and feedback on industrial processes, as well as lead teams to carry out production efficiently.
The average salary of an industrial management engineer is $65,644 with top career opportunities including Houston, New York City, Chicago, and San Diego.
Technical Manager
A technical manager gets advanced technical skills after studying a master’s in engineering management, coupled with sufficient managerial skills. A technical manager troubleshoots engineering systems. They also stay vigilant to any technical issues during and after the development of new systems.
The average salary of a technical manager is $98,672, with top career opportunities in metropolitan areas like New York City, Washington D.C., Chicago, and Los Angeles.
Final Word
So, you’ve learned what you can do with a master’s in engineering management. In this article, we covered a few examples of what’s available for MEM graduates. A master’s in engineering management enhances your knowledge of common business principles within the engineering field, boosts your skills and professionalism for working in a business, and will make you the type of candidate that industries would hire for top positions.
An MEM degree opens a plethora of career opportunities to you, allowing you a diverse path forward.