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Forensic Engineering
How would you like to start a great new career that involves both engineering and investigation? Would you love a job that combines your love for how things work and criminal justice? If so, now is a great time to start your career training for a job in forensic engineering. Forensic engineers perform a valuable service by investigating and reporting findings on material and structural failures that cause personal injury or property damage. The work is extremely interesting and provides a secure future as well as a very lucrative salary. If this sounds like the job for you, go back to college today and start yourself on the path to your new profession.
Education and training for forensic engineering
Working in forensic engineering requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Many positions in this field also require that you be a registered Professional Engineer. In order to become a P.E., you must hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering and pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam. You must then work for a minimum of four years under the supervision of a registered P.E. After the four years of experience, you must then pass the Principles of Engineering exam to become a registered P.E.
It may be possible to get your degree through an online university, but you will likely also have to complete some of your training at a physical site. Many people who are studying forensic engineering enjoy taking some online courses because it allows them the flexibility to study on their own schedule and prevents the need to travel to and from a campus. In your degree program, you can expect to study a variety of advanced mathematics and science, basic education classes, engineering principles, and many other engineering classes necessary for a career in forensic engineering.
Working in forensic engineering
In this job, you will perform many investigations of materials, structures, products, or components that fail or do not work as intended. Investigations will focus mainly on failures that cause injury or damage. You will also be responsible for retracing processes and procedures that relate to an accident in the operation of machinery or vehicles to determine the cause of the accident. Occasionally, you may also be required to investigate intellectual property claims.
In order to perform investigations and reach conclusions, you will use a variety of optical and scanning electron microscopes, spectroscopy, and radiography, as well as a variety of other tools and instruments. You may find yourself working for a variety of private and government agencies as an expert in the investigation of fires, traffic accidents, wrongful injuries, and patent disputes. The typical salary for these services is between $42,000 and $62,000 annually with salaries easily reaching $100,000 a year after ten years of experience.
Forensic engineering is a rapidly growing career field that promises a challenging, interesting work environment as well as a fantastic salary. If you have been looking for a new career that will provide you a brighter future in a high-interest work environment, now is a great time to go back to school and start working toward your new career as a forensic engineer.
