Engineering
Engineering is a growing occupation within the Central Valley. It’s a career path that offers living and high wage salaries, and opportunities for job growth and upward mobility. The Engineering Dual Enrollment Pathway was selected as a pilot career pathway because manufacturing and other sectors are growing in our region and the demand for well-skilled workers is on the rise.
![engineering-overview-3](https://fresnomaderahigheredforall.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/engineering-overview-3.jpg)
What can you do with an engineering degree?
Engineers design and build machines and structures like bridges, tunnels, roads, vehicles and buildings. It’s a field that relies heavily on mathematics and applied science.
ENGINEERING PATHWAYS HIGHLIGHTED
-
Civil Engineering
Average Salary:
$115,040 -
Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary:
$90,600
With dual enrollment classes, students can begin taking classes in high school—and in some cases, middle school—that align with the college course requirement needed to obtain a degree in Civil or Mechanical Engineering.
High schools with the Central, Clovis, Fresno and Sanger Unified School Districts are building out their Engineering Pathways to connect with Clovis Community College, Fresno City College and Reedley College and then transfer onto Fresno State.
Civil Engineering
-
United States
$86K
Average Salary
$86,640 BLS, 20186%Job Outlook
6% increase (BLS, 2018) -
California
$106K
Average Salary
$106,050 BLS, 201810%Job Outlook
10% increase (BLS, 2018) -
Fresno County
$115K
Average Salary
$115,040 US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 20207.1%Job Outlook
7.1% increase (EDD, CA, 2019)
What is Civil Engineering?
Think big; think infrastructure; think civil engineering. Civil engineers design and build all kinds of structures, from interstate highways, bridges and dams to airports, water-treatment plants and power stations.
![engineering-overview-4](https://fresnomaderahigheredforall.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/engineering-overview-4.jpg)
What does a Civil Engineer do?
Civil Engineers conceive, design, build, supervise, operate, construct and maintain infrastructure projects and systems in the public and private sector. With a focus on the development of new materials and the improvement of existing ones, civil engineers can work in planning, design, construction, research and education.
Important Skills
Decision-making, leadership, mathematics, organizational, problem-solving, speaking, writing.
Job Titles / Types of Civil Engineering
City engineer, civil engineer, county engineer, design engineer, project engineer, railroad design consultant, structural engineer, architectural engineer, traffic engineer, geotechnical engineer, bridge/structure inspection team leader.
Work Settings
The construction industry, utility companies, oil companies, telecommunications businesses, manufacturing companies, railroads, airports, road construction companies, consulting companies and city, state, federal government (Department of Transportation, Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Energy (DOE)).
Getting started with the
Civil Engineering Pathway
Mechanical Engineering
-
United States
$87K
Mean Annual Wage
$87,370 BLS, 20184%Job Outlook
4% increase (BLS, 2018) -
California
$101K
Mean Annual Wage
$101,430 BLS, 201810%Job Outlook
10% increase (BLS, 2018) -
Fresno County
$91K
Mean Annual Wage
$91,600 US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 20207.1%Job Outlook
7.1% increase (EDD, CA, 2019)
![](https://fresnomaderahigheredforall.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/K-16_Website_Photo_6.jpg)
What is Mechanical Engineering?
Machines come in many sizes, from massive to nano-sized. And mechanical engineers are the folks who design, build and maintain them all. They design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices, including tools, engines and machines.
What does a Mechanical Engineer do?
As one of the broadest engineering fields, mechanical engineers can become experts in anything from robotics to air conditioning, so they’re welcome in many industries. Mechanical engineers can research, plan and design tools, engines, machines, materials, structure and other mechanically functioning equipment. They may also perform duties related to system design, manufacturing and production, energy conversion, energy resources, transportation and environmental impact. They oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water and steam systems.
Important Skills
Creativity, listening, mathematics, mechanical, problem-solving.
Job Titles / Types of Mechanical Engineering
Application engineer, design engineer, design maintenance engineer, equipment engineer, mechanical design engineer, mechanical engineer, process engineer, product engineer, project engineer, test engineer
Work Settings
Industry (automotive, aerospace, electronics, appliances, energy, medical devices, amusement park rides, toys, nanotechnology, chemical products, petroleum, textiles, industrial equipment, heating and air conditioning systems), utility companies, national laboratories, federal government (Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Defense (DOD), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Aeronautics, Space Administration (NASA)).