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.

Try 3D design with a tool you can use in your browser, then 3D print or laser cut what you make! If you like the process, look into classes or tutorials for computer-aided drawing (CAD) programs.

Get started with 3D design.

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.

Radiography is a common non-destructive testing technique. Watch a short animation about how it works and why non-destructive testing is important. Are you interested in using this technology?

Learn about radiography.

Watch a video that explains some of the most common types of non-destructive testing techniques. Which one interests you most? Why?

Explore different non-destructive testing techniques.

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

The ability to see details at a distance.

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Non-Destructive Testing Specialists

Test the safety of structures, vehicles, or vessels using x-ray, ultrasound, fiber optic or related equipment.

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Realistic

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Investigative

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Conventional

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Social

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Artistic

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Enterprising

Job Zone Two: Some 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 of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

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 principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

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

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

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

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

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

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.

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

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

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

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

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

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.

Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters

Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other

Architecture and Engineering Occupations

Drafters, Engineering Technicians, and Mapping Technicians

Interpret the results of all methods of non-destructive testing (NDT), such as acoustic emission, electromagnetic, leak, liquid penetrant, magnetic particle, neutron radiographic, radiographic, thermal or infrared, ultrasonic, vibration analysis, and visual testing.

Interpret or evaluate test results in accordance with applicable codes, standards, specifications, or procedures.

Identify defects in solid materials, using ultrasonic testing techniques.

Make radiographic images to detect flaws in objects while leaving objects intact.

Prepare reports on non-destructive testing results.

Select, calibrate, or operate equipment used in the non-destructive testing of products or materials.

Visually examine materials, structures, or components for signs of corrosion, metal fatigue, cracks, or other flaws, using tools and equipment such as endoscopes, closed-circuit television systems, and fiber optics.

Examine structures or vehicles such as aircraft, trains, nuclear reactors, bridges, dams, and pipelines, using non-destructive testing techniques.

Document non-destructive testing methods, processes, or results.

Produce images of objects on film, using radiographic techniques.

IBM Notes

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft PowerPoint

Fractal Concept SoftScan

GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies Rhythm UT

National Instruments NI Vision Builder for Automated Inspection AI

Visualization Sciences Group VSG Avizo Fire

Autodesk AutoCAD

Dassault Systemes CATIA

Microsoft Excel

Geographic information system GIS systems

Visualization Sciences Group VSG Open Inventor

National Instruments LabVIEW

SAP software

National Instruments NI Motion Assistant

Depth gauges

Width gauges

Amp meters

Volt meters

Computer assisted tomography CAT inspection equipment

X ray equipment

Digital oscilloscopes

Two-channel oscilloscopes

Neutron detectors

Radiation detection badges

Remote reading electronic thermometers

Recirculating hot air drying ovens

Scanning electron microscopes SEM

Piezoelectric sensors

Ground penetrating radar GPR systems

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

Every day

Once a week or more but not every day

How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

Extremely important

Very important

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Number of hours typically worked in one week.

More than 40 hours

40 hours

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

Very important results

Important results

Moderate results

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

A lot of freedom

Some freedom

Limited freedom

How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

Non-Destructive Testing Specialists

Overview

Career

What Non-Destructive Testing Specialists Do

Other Job Titles Non-Destructive Testing Specialists May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Non-Destructive Testing Specialists

Overview

Career

What Non-Destructive Testing Specialists Do

Other Job Titles Non-Destructive Testing Specialists May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Non-Destructive Testing Specialists

Majors Related to Career

Related Leaders