General engineering is a broad term that covers a variety of different types of engineering. It is a comprehensive approach to the subject matter, meaning students that come out of this career have an opportunity to develop large buildings and bridges, or create beauty products and airplanes. General engineering is the branch of science and technology dealing with the design, building, maintenance, and use of engines, machines, and structures. It includes subcategories such as electrical, chemical, mechanical, civil, architectural engineering, and computer engineering. Although an engineer will usually be trained in a specific discipline, he or she may become multi-disciplined through experience. General engineering focuses on basic, broad areas such as strategy and development.
General engineering degrees give graduates analysis and problem-solving skills, team-working, and leadership skills. Employers in general engineering often look for graduates with skills in problem-solving and project management, as well as a strong grasp of physics, design systems, and math. General engineering is also a good option for those who are undecided on the kind of engineering they’d like to specialize in. Some universities will give you the option to do a general engineering degree in your first year and then choose the area of the discipline you’d like to pursue in your second year.
General engineers are mainly employed by the federal government, and it was the 47th most popular job in the U.S. government in 2014. The average salary for a general engineer in the federal government is $124,399.57. General engineering graduates can go into engineering jobs in control engineering, sensors, and data.
