It is no secret that an engineering degree is worth quite a bit of money these days. According to data from the 2013 report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers, seven of the top 10 highest-paid college degrees are in engineering.
That's why the Houston Chronicle often turns to the UH Cullen College of Engineering for a bit of insight into why the job prospects for our engineering graduates are so positive. According to Vita Como, senior director of professional development and director of the Cullen College's Engineering Career Center, the reason for our students' success in landing jobs with high paying salaries is two-fold.
First, the Cullen College has successfully engaged with local industry to ensure that our engineering students are receiving training and education in areas that are vital to industry. Being in Houston, the Energy Capital of the World, Vita notes that many of our engineers "often get jobs in industries that are energy-focused -- not just exploration, but oil services and software companies who service oil and gas, industrial distribution, and so on."
Second, Vita and her staff in the Engineering Career Center work closely with Cullen College students on professional training and skill marketing. By first engaging industry and learning more about their workforce needs, Vita says we can then work with our students to make sure they can market their skills based on current industry needs.
The Houston Chronicle article, titled "Engineering futures are always bright," notes the increasing salaries for many engineering fields due to the increased demand for qualified, skilled professionals in these fields. At the Cullen College of Engineering, our mission is to ensure that the city of Houston faces no shortage of highly-skilled, global, and entrepreneurial engineers by working with local industry, government, and our community to train the best and the brightest STEM workforce.
Read the full article, "Engineering futures are always bright," in the Houston Chronicle!