This is a free essay discussing career paths and choices. The essay employs the use of several books to show what scholars think about career choices. Conversely, the essay also gives a personal opinion on industrial engineering, the career path that I have chosen.
A career path is mostly a family affair. My parents indeed tried to push me towards a career path that I did not desire. Over the years, they tried to nurture me to like a certain career. Their reason for doing this was that the specific career of their choice was very promising. However, as Kane (81) explains, there is no certainty in any career. For years, I tried to please them and pretended to be excited about joining college and studying for that specific career. Finally, I decided to tell them how I felt about the whole issue. Initially, they did not understand why I wanted to do something else. However, later on, they agreed that I could do anything I wanted. Right now they support my career choices and even offer to help me further my skills and knowledge in my chosen career.
On the same note, I have never been advised to chase after money and forget my dreams. As mentioned, my parents wanted me to take a different career path that they thought would make me happy. However, they did not realize that that career path was not part of my dream. I had not told them that I wanted to do something else, thus they believed that their career choice was my dream. As soon as I told them that I had a different dream, they were willing to support it. It might have taken them some time to accept that I was changing careers, but eventually, they did.
Besides, I believe that I would still be happy if money was not an object. Curtis (58) explains that for one to enjoy life, they have to have and to use money. I do not dispute this. However, if money was not an object, I would spend my life teaching. I enjoy making people aware and teaching is all about making people aware. I would particularly enjoy teaching teenagers in high school. Children of this age go through a lot of emotions. They are not only growing up, but society also expects them to embrace growth, regardless of whether they like it or not. I would use several strategies to be able to help these children learn everything they can.
On the other hand, given money is an object, I would enjoy working in a small company as opposed to a big one. There are several reasons for this preference. To start with, smaller companies give the workers room to grow. I want to learn everything I can about my career before I lunge into the competitive corporate world. A start-up company or a small company would be the best place to learn the ins and outs of my career. Regarding starting my own private company, I believe that the experience that I get in the small company will be very helpful. This experience will help me stay afloat when I decide to start my own company.
I think that the market demand for industrial engineering is in the manufacturing industry. I still think that industrial engineering will be in high demand thirty years after graduation. However, I would add that those who advance their skills will be preferred to those who just have a bachelor’s degree. The availability of oil will make industrial engineering easier because oil is core in the industrial process. One branch of industrial engineering is operations and systems engineering. This branch would attract more students if oil became cheaper. Many industrial engineers will agree that it is the oil business that makes industrial engineering lucrative. Cheap oil would, therefore, reduce the value of the engineering course.
In the same breadth, the current job market is bright. Auyang and Auyang (45) argue that many students are flocking into engineering courses. However, the world is also in need of all types of engineers, especially industrial engineers. It is important to mention that there is a risk of facing unemployment. Conversely, this risk depends on how well an individual is at their work and not because of having too many professionals. Industrial engineering is very sensitive to tech automation, new technology, competition from low-cost economics, the availability of natural resources, and the cost of energy. I will, therefore, ensure that I have all knowledge of the latest technology, economics, natural resources, and energy. Also, good knowledge in the mentioned areas will give me a competitive advantage when looking for a job.
Nov (141) defines automation engineering as the creation and the application of technology in an attempt to check and control the manufacture and delivery of products. The presence of automation engineering does not, in any way, limit an industrial engineer. The two engineers can work together in various ways. One of the reasons why they can work together is that the industrial engineer can offer financial skills on a project. On the other hand, the automation engineer will suggest the technology that will be used in that project, and then the industrial engineer will use that technology to do the project. On the contrary, the creation of software that teaches how to do things that the professionals can do will threaten my future career. Nevertheless, it might take a while before this type of software is accepted in the industry.
I am certainly prepared to improve on my skills to adapt to changing market forces. There are various branches in industrial engineering that one can specialize in. However, knowing more than one area will boost my chances in the job market. In the same breadth, additional skills that help in the market will also be beneficial. For example, the world of technology is changing constantly. Technology is a big part of industrial engineering. Therefore, additional skills like software engineering can be very helpful. Similarly, industrial engineering, despite being one of the longest standing engineering courses, is also changing. Therefore, continuous studying will give me an advantage and make it easier to adapt to the ever-changing market.
In conclusion, I believe that career choices can be made with the help of family, but the final choice should be left to the student. However, the student should not choose a career based on how much money they will make. Such a life choice should be made based on passion and the dream of the individual involved. In the same breadth, students should always advance their skills and knowledge to adapt to the ever-changing market.
Works Cited
Auyang, Sunny Y. and Auyang, Sunny Y. Engineering–An Endless Frontier. New York, NY: Harvard University Press, 2009. Print.
Curtis, Lee. Life is Great! Let the Good Times Roll. Self-Published, 2011. Print.
Kane, Robert. Ethics and the Quest for Wisdom. Cambridge, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2010. Print.
Nof, Shimon Y. Springer Handbook of Automation. West Lafayette, IL: Springer Shop, 2009. Print.