Engineering and Design

Engineering and Design Icon

The Engineering and Design Industry Sector is ideal for students who have a strong understanding of mathematics and a creative drive to design new ideas. If you are passionate about the environment and have innovative ideas for renewable energy or water treatment, or you have the next hit attraction for an amusement park in your head waiting to be designed, this sector could be your path to success. Student attributes for success in this sector include strong problem solving and analytical skills, the ability to work as part of a team, and a strong work ethic

Career Pathways

Architectural and Structural Engineering Pathway

The Architectural and Structural Engineering Pathway provides learning opportunities for students interested in the safety, cost, design, and construction of a building. Work elements of this pathway often involves working in conjunction with an architect. Students interested in this pathway should possess artistic ability and strong mathematical skills.

Careers/Career Areas:

  • Engineering Aides
  • Architects
  • Drafters/Designers
  • Surveyors
  • Structural Engineers
  • Civil Engineers
  • Industrial Designers/Estimators
  • Instructors

Computer Hardware, Electrical, and Networking Engineering Pathway

Careers in this pathway are highly technical and require continuing education to stay abreast of constantly changing technology. Students are introduced to the design, manufacturing, assembly, programming, and maintenance of computers and networking systems essential to telecommunications and information technology. These pathway careers will continue to be in high demand as technological systems become increasingly intricate. Students interested in this pathway should have a desire to understand, diagnose, and create within a technological framework.

Careers/Career Areas:

  • Computer Engineers
  • Electricians
  • Electrical Engineers
  • Computer Repair
  • Computer Networking Technicians
  • Telecommunication Engineers
  • Network Administrators

Engineering Design Pathway

If you like explaining ideas in a visual way, the Engineering Design Pathway may be for you. Pathway careers encompass the design and production of visual communications. Visual communication is the conveying of ideas and information in forms that can be seen. Students will learn to plan, prepare, and interpret drawings and models through traditional drafting or computer-aided techniques.

Careers/Career Areas:

  • Cad /Cam Technicians
  • Civil Engineers
  • Drafters/Designers
  • Architects
  • Structural Engineers
  • Software Engineers

Engineering Technology Pathway

The Engineering Technology Pathway provides learning opportunities for students interested in preparing for careers in the design, production, and maintenance of mechanical, telecommunications, electrical, electronics, and electromechanical products and systems.

Careers/Career Areas:

  • Electricians/Electronics
  • Industrial Engineers/Technicians
  • Telecommunications Facility Construction/Maintenance

Environmental and Natural Science Engineering Pathway

If your heart is set on protecting the environment, this may be your pathway. Improving and protecting our air, land, and water is the focus of this career area. Students will be involved in the design and development of equipment, processes, and systems used to create, monitor, prevent, or correct environmental events and conditions.

Careers/Career Areas:

  • Environmental Planners
  • Meteorologist
  • Oceanographers
  • Ecologists
  • Hydrographers
  • Park Naturalists
  • Survey/Mapping Technicians/Engineers
  • Environmental, Chemical, and Civil Engineers

Programs of Study

Program of Study Career Pathway Download this Program of Study

Architecture Community College Major

 		Architectural and Structural Engineering Pathway
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ArchitectureStructional Engineering.doc

Computer Aided Drafting & Design Community College Major

 		Engineering Design Pathway
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Engineering Design-CADD.doc

Environmental Horticulture Community College Major

 		Environmental and Natural Science Engineering Pathway
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Environmental Engineering-Horticulture.doc

Maintenance Mechanic Community College Major

 		Engineering Technology Pathway
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Engineering Technology- MM.doc

Networking Community College Major

 		Computer Hardware, Electrical, and Networking Engineering Pathway
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Networking Engineering.doc

Labor Market Information

The information below is just a small sample of the many great employment related resources available on the State of California website www.edd.ca.gov. We encourage you to visit the website and explore the available information.

Occupation Title Employment Levels in 2006 Projected Employment Level 2016 Projected Job Growth Percent of Job Growth 2008 Hourly ¹Mean Wage 2008 ²Weekly Mean Wage 2008 ³Monthly Mean Wage 2008 Annual Mean Wage
Aerospace Engineering & Operations Technicians 1,100 1,100

0

0.0%

 $29.78

$1,191.20

$5,003.04

$60,036.50
Architects 15,700 16,900

1,200

7.6%

 $39.37

$1,574.80

$6,614.16

$79,369.90
Atmospheric & Space Scientist

0

0.0%

 $45.57

$1,822.80

$7,655.76

$91,869.10
Avionics Technicians 1,600 1,700

100

6.3%

 $25.04

$1,001.60

$4,206.72

$50,480.60
Civil Engineering Technicians 8,400 9,200

800

9.5%

 $27.81

$1,112.40

$4,672.08

$56,065.00
Civil Engineers 34,100 39,200

5,100

15.0%

 $39.91

$1,596.40

$6,704.88

$80,458.60
Computer Hardware Enigineers 21,400 23,700

2,300

10.7%

 $52.32

$2,092.80

$8,789.76

$105,477.00
Computer Software Engineers, Applications 87,300 128,400

41,100

47.1%

 $47.24

$1,889.60

$7,936.32

$95,235.80
Computer Software Engineers, Systems Software 52,100 66,800

14,700

28.2%

 $49.41

$1,976.40

$8,300.88

$99,610.60
Conservation Scientist 1,000 1,100

100

10.0%

 $32.92

$1,316.80

$5,530.56

$66,366.70
Drafters 3,400 3,800

400

11.8%

 $26.94

$1,077.60

$4,525.92

$54,311.00
Electrical & Electronic Technicians 23,000 25,300

2,300

10.0%

 $28.31

$1,132.40

$4,756.08

$57,073.00
Electrical Engineers 19,600 20,700

1,100

5.6%

 $45.45

$1,818.00

$7,635.60

$91,627.20
Electricians 68,300 75,300

7,000

10.2%

 $26.42

$1,056.80

$4,438.56

$53,262.70
Electro-Mechanical Technicians 2,200 2,300

100

4.5%

 $25.76

$1,030.40

$4,327.68

$51,932.20
Engineering Technicians 12,000 13,900

1,900

15.8%

 $27.70

$1,108.00

$4,653.60

$55,843.20
Environmental Engineering Technicians 2,700 3,200

500

18.5%

 $24.71

$988.40

$4,151.28

$49,815.40
Environmental Engineers 4,800 6,000

1,200

25.0%

 $39.69

$1,587.60

$6,667.92

$80,015.00
Heating/Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Workers 19,700 22,200

2,500

12.7%

 $22.81

$912.40

$3,832.08

$45,985.00
Industrial Engineers 19,400 24,700

5,300

27.3%

 $40.79

$1,631.60

$6,852.72

$82,232.60
Mechanical Drafters 3,900 4,200

300

7.7%

 $25.13

$1,005.20

$4,221.84

$50,662.10
Wildlife Biologist 1,700 2,100

400

23.5%

 $34.92

$1,396.80

$5,866.56

$70,398.70

These selected occupations with information on job growth, percent growth and earning potentials are based on information found at www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov.

¹Mean: Midpoint between highest & lowest ²Weekly: Based on 40 hours ³Monthly: Based on 168 hours

Employment Data Sheet: 
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engineering-labor.pdf
Brochure: 
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engineering-industry-brochure.pdf

This material is made pursuant to agreement number 07-0170a of the CTE Community Collaborative Supplemental grant. Funds were administered by the Governor’s CTE Initiative SB70/SB 1133 through the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.

Activity that is the subject of this document was supported in whole or part by the U.S. Department of Education. However, the opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and no official endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education should be inferred.

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