I teach mechanical engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, and I lead a research lab that designs new haptic technologies for human interaction with computers, machines, and robots.
CAREER
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$103,600
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+8.6% (as fast as the average)
Most Common Level of Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary Do
Teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of machines, materials, instruments, processes, and services. Includes teachers of subjects such as chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, mineral, and petroleum engineering. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Other Job Titles Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary May Have
Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering Professor, Electrical Engineering Professor, Engineering Instructor, Engineering Professor, Environmental Engineering Professor, Instructor, Mechanical Engineering Professor, Professor
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
When most people think of a professor they think "teacher," and that is true. However, my work entails the two other "pillars of professorship"--research and service. On any given day, my research involves everything from grant writing, to presenting experimental results at conferences, to guiding students through their own masters and PhD programs. My service consists of working with an array of university committees that make decisions affecting both faculty and students.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
- Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
- Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Doctoral or professional degree (47%)
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Doctoral or professional degree
Other*
*All other responses combined for clarity.
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
High School
Bachelor
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Graduate
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Doctorate
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Suggested Path
High School
Bachelor
Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Eng...
Graduate
Computer/Computer Systems Technology/Technician
Bachelor
Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Enginee...
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
Always put out an extra effort to broaden someone's mind and expand the view of your profession. It will always pay you back.
I tell my students to hone their communication skills, both oral and written. It's no secret that we engineers and scientists are often guilty of being poor communicators, but being able to communicate, especially to the general public, is essential. I love that show "Big Bang Theory," but we're not all that bad! The other thing needed is imagination. You must be willing to step into the unknown because in STEM you won't be hired to solve problems for which the answers are already known!
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
Middle School Students
I think it's important to get started as soon as you can. In one sense, I decided I wanted to get a doctorate when I was 5 years old, but I didn't know that I wanted to be a professor until many years later. These fine-tuned decisions can come as "late" as undergraduate or graduate school. So I think what you need to do early on is identify whether or not you have the patience for this field—it takes a lot of education, a lot of research into which direction to go...it can be a slow process!
College Students
Everyone
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
