As an undecided engineering student you have the choice of several engineering majors. This page is designed to help you explore your interests so that you can make a more informed decision when choosing a major.  Below is the NACE Chart that provides examples of how to develop career competencies through exposure to a variety of experiences.  Beneath the chart, you will find information about each major including a description, a comprehensive list of of employers, top engineering employers, job boards, average annual salary, and tasks, skills, tools, work activities, etc.  For more information about our majors, including videos, please visit our Majors & Minors page.

Career & Self Development

Proactively develop oneself and one’s career through continual personal and professional learning, awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses, navigation of career opportunities, and networking to build relationships within and without one’s organization

Examples Include:  Career Fairs, Employer Information Sessions, Internships & Co-Ops

Communication

Clearly and effectively exchange information, ideas, facts, and perspectives with persons inside and outside of an organization 

 

Examples Include: Global Engineering Leadership Minor, ENES 100, Oral Communication Courses

Critical Thinking

Identify and respond to needs based upon an understanding of situational context and logical analysis of relevant information 

 

Examples Include: FIRE


 

Equity & Inclusion

Demonstrate the awareness, attitude, knowledge, and skills required to requitably engage and include people from different local and global cultures.  Engage in anti-racist practices that actively challenge the systems, structures, and policies of racism

Examples Include:  Engineering Without Borders, ENES 338K, BES, SHPE, SWE

Leadership

Recognize and capitalize on personal and team strengths to achieve organizational goals

 

 

 

 

Examples Include:  Student Societies 

Professionalism

Knowing work environments differ greatly, understand and demonstrate effective work habits, and act in the interest of the larger community and workplace

 

Examples Include: Summer Opportunities, On Campus Jobs

Teamwork

Build and maintain collaborative relationships to work effectively toward common goals, while appreciating diverse viewpoints and shared responsibilities


Examples Include: Terps Racing, QUEST Honors Program

Technology

Understand and leverage technologies ethically to enhance efficiencies, complete tasks, and accomplish goals

 

 

 

Examples Include:  LinkedIn Learning

 

Description

Aerospace Engineering is concerned with the design, construction and science of aircraft and spacecraft. It is divided into two major and overlapping branches:

  1. Aeronautical: craft that stay within the earth's atmosphere
  2. Astronautical: craft that operate outside the earth's atmosphere

Aerospace engineers develop new technologies for use in aviation, defense systems, and space exploration They often specialize in areas such as structures, propulsion systems, vehicle movement and control, communications and overall vehicle design.

Comprehensive List of Aerospace Engineering Employers

https://eng.umd.edu/careers/outcomes/aerospace 

Top Aerospace Engineering Employers

https://eng.umd.edu/careers/outcomes 

For more information on available jobs, visit Engineering Career Services Job Boards: https://eng.umd.edu/careers/students/job-boards  

Average Annual Salary

https://eng.umd.edu/careers/students/salaries 

For more details regarding Aerospace Engineering tasks, skills, tools, work activities, etc, please visit:  https://www.onetonline.org/link/details/17-2011.00

Departmental Website

https://aero.umd.edu

Description

Bioengineering is based on biology, biosystems, medical research and clinical practice. Bioengineers develop innovative processes for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease and seek to improve the health and life of humankind. Bioengineers specialize in those products and processes made from, used with or applied to biological organisms.

Comprehensive List of Bioengineering Employers

https://eng.umd.edu/careers/outcomes/bioengineering 

Top Bioengineering Employers

https://eng.umd.edu/careers/outcomes

For more information on available jobs, visit Engineering Career Services Job Boards: https://eng.umd.edu/careers/students/job-boards  

Average Annual Salary

https://eng.umd.edu/careers/students/salaries

For more details regarding Bioengineering tasks, skills, tools, work activities, etc, please visit: https://www.onetonline.org/link/details/17-2031.00

Departmental Website

https://bioe.umd.edu

Description

Chemical engineers research, develop and improve things we use every day. They ensure we have a safe, secure and sustainable supply of energy, water and food while safeguarding the environment. They develop new products from renewable resources, alternative energy sources, pharmaceutical products and new food products.

Comprehensive List of Chemical Engineering Employers

https://eng.umd.edu/careers/outcomes/chemical

Top Chemical Engineering Employers

https://eng.umd.edu/careers/outcomes

For more information on available jobs, visit Engineering Career Services Job Boards: https://eng.umd.edu/careers/students/job-boards  

Average Annual Salary

https://eng.umd.edu/careers/students/salaries

For more details regarding Chemical Engineering tasks, skills, tools, work activities, etc, please visit: https://www.onetonline.org/link/details/17-2041.00

Departmental Website

https://chbe.umd.edu

Description

Civil Engineering focuses on planning, design, construction and operation of large systems such as buildings and bridges. Civil engineers also focus on water purification and distribution systems, traffic and transportation systems, water and land pollution systems. Civil Engineering offers three tracks:

  • Geotechnical and Structural
  • Environmental and Water Resources
  • Transportation Systems and Project Management
Comprehensive List of Civil Engineering Employers

https://eng.umd.edu/careers/outcomes/civil 

Top Civil Engineering Employers

https://eng.umd.edu/careers/outcomes

For more information on available jobs, visit Engineering Career Services Job Boards: https://eng.umd.edu/careers/students/job-boards  

Average Annual Salary

https://eng.umd.edu/careers/students/salaries

For more details regarding Civil Engineering tasks, skills, tools, work activities, etc, please visit: https://www.onetonline.org/link/details/17-2051.00

Departmental Website

https://cee.umd.edu

Description

Computer engineers apply the principles and techniques of electrical engineering, computer science and mathematical analysis to design, develop, test and evaluate software and hardware systems that enable computers to perform increasingly demanding functions. Computer engineers design robots, develop microprocessors, design supercomputers and smart devices, create integrated circuits for semiconductor fabrication, program computer-vision capabilities, create security/cryptographic systems and develop software systems and network protocols.

Comprehensive List of Computer Engineering Employers

https://eng.umd.edu/careers/outcomes/computer 

Top Computer Engineering Employers

https://eng.umd.edu/careers/outcomes

For more information on available jobs, visit Engineering Career Services Job Boards: https://eng.umd.edu/careers/students/job-boards 

Average Annual Salary

https://eng.umd.edu/careers/students/salaries

For more details regarding Computer Engineering tasks, skills, tools, work activities, etc, please visit: https://www.onetonline.org/link/details/17-2061.00

Departmental Website

https://ece.umd.edu

Description

Electrical engineers help overcome global challenges related to energy, communications, health care, global warming and national security. Electrical engineers create innovative technology solutions in a wide range of areas from handheld communications to solar panels; from cardiac pacemakers to autonomous robots; from wireless networks to bio-engineered sensors that detect dangerous pathogens, and intelligent surveillance systems that perform face and motion recognition.

Comprehensive List of Electrical Engineering Employers

https://eng.umd.edu/careers/outcomes/electrical

Top Electrical Engineering Employers

https://eng.umd.edu/careers/outcomes

For more information on available jobs, visit Engineering Career Services Job Boards: https://eng.umd.edu/careers/students/job-boards  

Average Annual Salary

https://eng.umd.edu/careers/students/salaries

For more details regarding Electrical Engineering tasks, skills, tools, work activities, etc, please visit: https://www.onetonline.org/link/details/17-2071.00

Departmental Website

https://ece.umd.edu

Description

Fire Protection engineers protect people, homes, workplaces, the environment and the economy from the devastating effects of fire by designing systems, creating products and developing fire safe materials. Fire Protection engineers focus on suppression and detection, fire-resistant materials, fire dynamics and behavior, smoke, soot and gases, human behavior and life safety, computer modeling of fire, smoke, suppression and evacuation.

Comprehensive List of Fire Protection Engineering Employers

https://eng.umd.edu/careers/outcomes/fire-protection

Top Fire Protection Engineering Employers

https://eng.umd.edu/careers/outcomes

For more information on available jobs, visit Engineering Career Services Job Boards: https://eng.umd.edu/careers/students/job-boards  

Average Annual Salary

https://eng.umd.edu/careers/students/salaries

For more details regarding Fire Protection Engineering tasks, skills, tools, work activities, etc, please visit: https://www.onetonline.org/link/details/17-2111.02

Departmental Website

https://fpe.umd.edu

Description

Material Science and Engineering is the process, testing and designing of complex material systems that underlie much of today’s advanced technology including microelectronics and biotechnology. These engineers can produce incredibly strong magnets, advanced plastics and polymers, metals that remember their shape and nanotechnology.

Comprehensive List of Materials Science & Engineering Employers

https://eng.umd.edu/careers/outcomes/materials 

Top Materials Science & Engineering Employers

https://eng.umd.edu/careers/outcomes

For more information on available jobs, visit Engineering Career Services Job Boards: https://eng.umd.edu/careers/students/job-boards  

Average Annual Salary

https://eng.umd.edu/careers/students/salaries

For more details regarding Materials Science & Engineering tasks, skills, tools, work activities, etc, please visit: https://www.onetonline.org/link/details/17-2131.00

Departmental Website

https://mse.umd.edu

Description

Mechanical Engineering is the broadest and most versatile of all the engineering professions. Mechanical engineers design, manufacture and operations of a wide range of components, devices or systems. The field encompasses applications ranging from micro-mechanical surgical systems to internal combustion engines for formula one race cars or giant turbines for renewable energy wind farms.

Comprehensive List of Mechanical Engineering Employers 

https://eng.umd.edu/careers/outcomes/mechanical

Top Mechanical Engineering Employers

https://eng.umd.edu/careers/outcomes

For more information on available jobs, visit Engineering Career Services Job Boards: https://eng.umd.edu/careers/students/job-boards  

Average Annual Salary

https://eng.umd.edu/careers/students/salaries

For more details regarding Mechanical Engineering tasks, skills, tools, work activities, etc, please visit: https://www.onetonline.org/link/details/17-2141.00

Departmental Website

https://enme.umd.edu

The Clark School offers two courses that explore each of the nine engineering majors:

UNIV100 (1-credit)- The Student in the University (section 0604)

Introduces students to University life. In a small classroom setting, students will explore how to successfully bridge the gap between high school and college. Study skills, career decision-making, and student development processes will be explored.

ENES181 (1-credit)- Engineering & The Grand Challenges (section 0101)

Introduction to the various fields of engineering and the necessary context for students to fully engage in selected National Academy of Engineering's Grand Challenges such as economical solar energy, carbon sequestration, access to clean water, engineering better medicines, restoring urban infrastructure and personalized learning. The lectures and activities will provide an introduction to the engineering disciplines, NAE Grand Challenges, STEM cultures, and research.

Students may also choose to take a major specific introductory course in order to learn more about a specific major of interest.


Top