“Engineers like to solve problems. If there are no problems handily available, they will create their own problems.”
― Scott Adams (a comic strip creator)
We sometimes tend to think of pursuing a different career than what is expected or follow an offbeat path. For example, an engineering graduate might feel like giving up his subject and becoming a wildlife photographer (thinking that’s his call) or a medical student might feel like starting a business rather than delving into the intricacies of human biology and anatomy. He or she might go on to pursue an MBA.
To speak from personal experience, a student who wants to start a career in life sciences realises that content writing is the only way out to breathe and live freely. (Been there, done that!). It is okay to feel so and pursue what makes you happy.
This article is for graduates who feel that they need a career change after engineering. Are you an engineering graduate who wants to do something unique and different after completing your degree, rather than spending the rest of your life as an engineer?
Students who switch over from engineering do so because of one or more of the following reasons:
- They loved the idea of studying engineering earlier. Now, they no longer enjoy the subject.
- The subject was forced down on them for some reason, and now they want to be free from it.
- They had a lot of hope on the subject, but now they find it boring.
- They always had some other interests, apart from engineering, but could never voice their opinion.
Don’t worry, there are several alternative career options you can pursue after engineering. Let us explore some of them.
Alternative career options after engineering:
One of my closest friends who happened to be an engineering graduate slowly understood that he’s not the best fit for that degree. Instead, he had a self-realisation that his love for exploring places can become his profession. Soon after this thought drugged his mind, he opened a travel agency and did good business. Later, he studied travel and tourism abroad to expand his knowledge in the sector. He went on to work with some of the best tourism industries in the world. He never had to look back after that!
Starting afresh with a new career could be daunting. It needs a fair knowledge and understanding of the subject. Hence, it is better to take up a program in the subject and obtain a degree in it to make a better career out of it.
So, what are those courses available abroad that will help you move on to a different field once you finish your engineering? Here are some of the options:
- Logistics and supply chain
- Intellectual property rights
- Sales and marketing
- Business and management
- Banking and finance
- Travel and tourism
- Animation
- Fashion studies
Logistics and Supply Chain Management as an alternate career option
Logistics and Supply Chain Management is an alternate career option for engineers. Imagine the common salt placed on the table in your dining area. Do you know what brings it there? Several people are responsible for not just safe transportation of manufactured goods, but also ensuring that the whole chain of supply of goods is recorded and maintained. These people work in the logistics and supply chain sectors. The job also involves managing raw materials and monitoring the production lines.
If you’re looking to study logistics after your engineering degree because you find it thrilling, then we can help you.
Some of the Logistics and Supply Chain Management courses you can check out:
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management, MA offered by the University of Greenwich in the UK
- Master of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management offered by Wright State University in the USA
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management MSc offered by the University of Sheffield in the UK
- Master of Logistics and Supply Chain Management offered by the University of Sydney in Australia
- PSB Academy in Singapore offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Just head to our site if you’d like to explore more logistics and supply chain management courses offered by universities abroad as an alternate path to engineering.
Business and Management as an alternate career option
There’s a saying that most engineers become good CEOs. In fact, some of the notable personalities were engineers first and then businessmen, such as Henry Ford, Jimmy Carter and Thomas Edison.
What makes most engineers become good businessmen and overall good leaders? The analytical minds and the ability to take up risks with calculated measures make them stand out. Also, engineers tend to have a more realistic approach to problem-solving, which makes them better business leaders. Any industry is a business and needs management. Hence it is not too difficult to find opportunities for postgraduates in Business and Management.
Some of the Business studies courses you can check out include:
- Business Project Management MSc from London South Bank University in the UK
- MSc Information Technology (Business) offered by Heriot-Watt University
- Masters in Information Management & Digital Business - Big Data in Business offered by the University of Reading in the UK
- Master of International Business offered by the University of Canberra in Australia
- Master of Science in Business Analytics offered by Northeastern University in the USA
Most of these universities offer business-related courses other than those mentioned here. So be sure to check out those.
If you are interested in exploring more of the hundreds of business and management courses that can serve as an alternate career option to engineering, just head to our site.
Note that some universities abroad offer a dual programme in engineering and business. You may choose to study such programmes as it can save you from making high investments.
Marketing as an alternate career option
Engineering graduates can move on to study marketing courses abroad. There are different types of marketing courses, such as digital, advertising, finance, and sales.
Here are some of the marketing courses you can explore:
- Marketing MSc from Durham University in the UK
- M.S. in Marketing Research and Analytics from Texas Tech University in the USA
- MS International Marketing and Entrepreneurship from National University of Ireland, Galway
- Master of Marketing from the University of Adelaide in Australia
- MSc Postgraduate Diploma/Postgraduate Certificate in Marketing offered by Bristol, University of the West of England
Be sure to check the entry requirements for these courses before applying.
Finance and Banking as an alternate career option
Finance and banking is the career of choice for students who like the idea of dealing with financial systems and resources. Their interest could be due to some deep knowledge about financial operations or a curiosity about the intricacies of it or could be due to an inherent passion for following someone’s footsteps in the banking sector. A postgraduate degree, diploma or certificate in this field will aid in your dream to pursue a career in finance and banking.
Here are some of the finance and banking courses you can explore abroad:
- MSc Finance & Investment (Banking and Fintech) offered by Regent’s University London
- International Corporate Finance and Banking MSc offered by the University of Glasgow in the UK
- MBA (Finance and Banking) offered by Amity University (in) London
- Finance (Major: Banking) MSc/PGDip/PGCert offered by the University of London Worldwide
Some of these courses require work experience too. Do check the entry requirements for international students before applying.
Travel and tourism as an alternate career option
The choice to study travel and tourism is not restricted to avid travellers. Travel and tourism is no longer an obscure or unrecognised sector. Not to mention, it is also an exciting field to be in. The subject has been explored by people from various backgrounds. It has also grown to be of interest for countries and states individually.
Some of the travel and tourism courses you can explore abroad include:
- Postgraduate Certificate in International Tourism Management offered by Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand
- Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Tourism offered by Arizona State University (Kaplan International)
- Master of Tourism (MTour) offered by the University of Otago
- Master of Management Studies (MMS)v offered by the University of Waikato in New Zealand
With the world getting back on its feet after the pandemic lull, this sector has evolved considerably and looks forward to thriving in a more sustainable way.
Other alternate career options to engineering
Switching from engineering to technical writing is a common practice. If you are one of those people with a love for words, you can explore technical writing courses offered by institutions abroad. Here are some courses that you can try after engineering:
- Professional Certificate of Competency in Specification and Technical Writing offered by Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT), Australia
- Technical Writing Certificate offered by New York Institute of Technology, the USA
- Master of Arts in Professional and Technical Writing offered by the University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Giving up engineering to pursue writing is not a bad idea, especially when you think you can be better at putting your words and thoughts on paper.
Intellectual Property rights: Intellectual property rights or IPR is everything in the modern world and is a widely chosen field by many engineering graduates. Whatever you invent or discover has to be protected against theft and misuse. An entrepreneur needs to protect his or her patent or intellectual property as much as a scientist needs to.
A patent or an intellectual property could be a novel idea, drug, tool, etc. that can be copied or stolen easily so it’s important to preserve its originality and prevent it from misuse. IPR is an already high-demanding field. With advancements in science and technology, the demand is higher than ever.
Bottom line
The information is not meant to distract you from studying for your current engineering degree. It's meant to give you hope and inspiration if you have made up your mind to switch to an alternative subject. We only intend to give you an idea of what might suit you best as an alternative to engineering.
However, there are a few engineering courses that can help you build interdisciplinary skills. This means you don't necessarily need to switch over from every engineering course that you study, instead build something concrete from where you are.
Choosing another degree over your previous engineering degree doesn’t mean that your engineering education is wasted. Any subject that you study could be useful at some point in time. If not for you, it could be useful for others. Have more questions and doubts about choosing an alternative career rather engineering? You can speak to us, and we’ll guide you further. Just fill out the form on this page and our experts will be in touch with you.
Editor's note: This article was originally published in October 2018. Our content writer Roshna Mohan has edited it to include up-to-date information and made it comprehensive.