Why become an engineer?

Let's begin with... the car you drive. The water you drink. Highways and bridges connecting distant points. Electricity. Television and radio. Cell phones and pagers. Computers and the Internet. Jet aircraft and airports. CD and DVD players. Air-conditioning. Medical equipment.

All are brought to you by engineers.

Engineers invent things. Design them. Create them. Construct them. Test them. Improve them.

And you can be a part of this wonderful world!

In more technical terms, engineering is the application of mathematics and science to produce ideas and products that benefit society. Engineering shapes the way we work and live. Engineering makes the impossible possible.

There are several fields of engineering, but the University of Hawai'i College of Engineering trains students in the three major disciplines.

Civil engineering deals with building structures ranging from buildings to bridges, to roads, to dams, and everything in-between. Civil engineers plan, design, and supervise the construction of structures like high-rise buildings, airports, and water and sewage treatment plants.

Electrical engineering covers everything related to electrical devices and systems and the use of electricity. Electrical engineers work on power plants, computer and Internet equipment and systems, and electrical networks for buildings, among others.

Mechanical engineering uses mechanics and energy principles to design machines like engines and motors. Mechanical engineers work on air-conditioning and heating, automobile and aircraft manufacturing, robotics, materials, and other areas.

Engineering is an exciting, diverse field with opportunities for every interest and inclination.