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Engineering management is a specialized field of management that focuses on engineering firms and their teams. The engineering industry is at the front of every technological advancement. And since engineering management is about leading and influencing such developments, it is a respected career choice among the engineering community. The industrial revolution and its inventions like Artificial Intelligence and machine learning are creating an uproar in the marketplace. Companies and firms need someone who can manage and respond effectively to these changes, so their business can remain competitive in the market. Additionally, today customers are more in control of the market space. They want things to be specially customized to meet their needs and demands. To succeed in such a marketplace that has multiple stakeholders, you need to be good at managing and creating innovative solutions. By getting an MSc. degree in engineering management, you can bridge gaps between the managerial and engineering sides of your job. It will help you in progressing your career and expanding your horizons. You can be more creative with a management degree in engineering as it will strengthen your technical as well as soft skills. It does not matter whether you are a mechanical engineer, an aeronautical engineer, or even a software engineer; every engineer can pursue a MEM degree. Getting an advanced degree will further your chances of progression.
Should I take on the role of a leader in engineering projects?
Even if you want to be in a leadership role, it can still be tough to know if it is the right fit for you. In such a case, you may wonder if taking on a leadership role is a step in the correct direction. After all, not everything we want proves to be good for us. It will help to know what exactly an engineering manager does. Firstly, accepting a leadership role in an engineering firm means you will have to constantly put your business and entrepreneurial skills to the test and polish them. Secondly, you will have to manage and organize project details such as delegating tasks to different team members, making a budget, allocating resources, etc. If you possess the skills to handle these challenges, then engineering management is undoubtedly an excellent career choice for you. You can enroll in MSc In Engineering Management to polish these skills.
What will I study in MSc In Engineering Management?
The exact coursework may differ from one university to another. However, some basics of management are included in every Master of Science in Engineering Management program. These include:
- Accounting and finance
The subjects of accounting, finance, and budgeting are taught in the light of engineering management.
- Project management
It teaches you how to initiate, plan and perform a project. It outlines all the intricacies that are involved in the process of managing projects.
- Leadership
It teaches you to develop and implement the skills of a leader to manage the projects effectively.
- Engineering law
This course talks about legal concepts that particularly relate to the engineering industry.
- Engineering writing
This will help you in communicating effectively with the stakeholders. Writing is a powerful tool that can make or break a deal.
The rest of the courses may differ depending on your field. Some of them are as follows:
- Industrial engineering
- Product engineering
- Mathematics modeling
What are the entry requirements for MSc in Engineering Management?
You need a 4-year Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as any type of engineering from an accredited university. A 4-year degree program in mathematics or any other physical science is also acceptable by most universities. The GPA requirement can be very high for MSc in Engineering Management because of the tough competition. However, universities do consider students with a 3.0 GPA. If you are an international applicant and English is not your native tongue speaker, you will have to prove your English proficiency. Some universities do accept an English proficiency certificate from your previous college if the medium of instruction was English. However, it is safer to email the university and ask them directly. Otherwise, you can always give a language test such as IELTS or TOEFL.
While these are some basic admission requirements, other requirements may vary from one university to another. Therefore, it is advisable to find out more about the university you plan on enrolling in and check the admission requirements mentioned on their website. If you lack in any area, you may write to the admissions committee and share your work experience with them. Most universities value experience and are more willing to enroll students who are familiar with the job market.
Conclusion
Being an engineer is one of the toughest jobs out there. As an engineer, you will face multiple challenges in completing your projects. In such testing times, surely you and your team will need some guidance. Usually, every team does have a leader who has some specific qualities and qualifications. If you plan on acquiring a leadership role in an engineering firm, you need to train to become a leader. You can do it by getting an advanced management degree in your respective field. You may also work on your managing skills. It is also advisable to ask the people in leadership roles in your current firm to mentor you. Learning from their experiences can give you an idea of what to expect from a managerial position in an engineering firm. Do not overstress yourself. Everything takes time, and becoming a manager is no different. Overall, just focus on being your best self, and you will become a great leader.
