The computer manufacturing industry was hit by the recent recession. On the plus side, industry projections say it’s going to be one of the first to recover, maybe during the second quarter of 2010. The reason for this is the industry’s ability to reinvent itself through new technology, such as the recent eReaders and iPads. That’s why, of all the STEM degree (science, technology, engineering, math) professions, becoming a computer hardware engineer is still an exceptionally solid choice.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer hardware engineers do the research, design and oversee the manufacture and installation of computer hardware. This includes computer chips, boards, systems and related equipment such as keyboards, routers, and printers.
While some might compare hardware engineers to electronics engineers, the big difference is the former work only on computers and related machines. This kind of specialization shouldn’t hurt the hardware engineer in the long run considering how computers can now be found from the lowest economic levels to the ivory towers of Wall Street and beyond.The work of hardware engineers is similar to electronics engineers, except hardware engineer’s work exclusively on computers and computer-related equipment. They have had their hands on anything from giant mainframes to the latest in miniaturized tech, such as the eReader and iPad.
Thanks to the recession, growth in the field will be slow, approximately 4% between 2008 and 2018. Also domestic manufacture of hardware, for the longest time dominated by the U.S., is expected to be hit by intense foreign competition. Manufacturers will contract out more. So much of the employment action is going to go to computer-related services industries and design firms.
Before contemplating a move into this arena, one should have a bend for mechanical, electronic and computer science problem solving. A Bachelor’s with mechanical and electronic engineering courses with computer science is a solid path. As the field is constantly reinventing itself, a professional usually sets up an account with an online college even after their Bachelor’s. Getting a Master’s or PhD is good if one wants to get into the more sophisticated, and better paying, jobs.
On the plus front, salaries are exceptional. The median hardware engineer should expect a salary of just under $100,000. Entry level, depending on experience, usually starts at slightly over $61,000. The upper 10% of hardware engineers can earn over $150,000. Jobs come with attractive perks, among them life/health insurance, profit sharing and other investment programs, continued education aid for online colleges and retirement programs.
As hardware engineering is a STEM profession there are more than Pell and state grants for those who want to pursue this form of education. The National Science Foundation has S-STEM grants. There are also ACG and SMART scholarships for those who show both exceptional grades and need. A number of professional and private institutions – including Intel, Xerox and Hewlett Packard – offer aid for anyone from the promising high school student to the seasoned PhD candidate. A good source for more information is to just go to Google and search “Computer Engineering Financial Aid” or simply consult with a school’s financial aid officer.
Even if the hardware engineering field may have its short term issues, for those with their degree in science, the long term prospects should see the field eventually regaining ground and forging ahead. As recent introductions of such new devices as the iPad have demonstrated, the public hasn’t lost its taste for new tech and that demand will mean ones science degree online can take one far. That should be proof enough there’s a solid future for the profession. If you are interested in this field and would like more information about your technology degree online, check the internet.