How Do I Become a Technical Engineer?

There are a variety of technical engineering careers to choose from, including bridge design, roadway design, construction, and map creation. Several paths can lead you to a career as a technical engineer. Community colleges, vocational schools, or military training programs are excellent places to begin working on entering this profession. The degree to become a technical engineer may vary depending on the specific area of expertise that you are interested in and may include electrical, civil, aerospace, or industrial engineering. Most companies will require that you have at least an associate's degree, or adequate training in an engineering field.

Many community colleges offer an associate's degree in engineering, which may include courses such as construction detailing, engineering statics, and structural analysis. These programs generally take two years to complete and they can prepare you for the additional training needed to become a technical engineer. There may be training opportunities offered through your college and you should consult with your professors to find training courses that suit your career goals. Continuing your education to obtain a bachelor's degree in engineering may replace the requirement for additional training programs.

Vocational schools may offer programs that are designed to train you in your chosen field and the length of the program will depend on the level of certification that you are seeking. Many of these programs are designed to mix academics with hands-on training, which will prepare you to become a technical engineer. You will need to research different programs and the Internet is an excellent resource to narrow your choices especially based on the level of certification offered by the school. To choose a program that is appropriate for you career goals, you will need to determine the level of certification, training, and/or education needed for employment.

Different branches of military services offer training in technical engineering and you will need to be enlisted and most programs require that you have completed basic training. Aside from your general military training, you will need to complete an engineering training course to become a technical engineer. Most of these courses take up to five months to complete and are based on a mixture of field training and academic coursework. The primary duties of a military technical engineer include testing materials, surveying, and providing measurements and designs for construction products. You will need to discuss various career opportunities with a military recruiter before committing to the service and training program.