Engineering is a constantly changing field. With new technology and innovations, engineers need to stay on the cutting edge of industry updates. For this reason, continuing education (CE) for engineers is vital to long-term career success for individuals in the field and the well-being of companies and society as they strive to make improvements.
At Austin Nichols, we want to share with you how continuing education can enhance your engineering career along with the CE opportunities for engineers in the Kansas City area.
Benefits of Continuing Education in Engineering
Continuing education offers unique opportunities for working professionals to learn new skills and fine-tune old ones. Engineers can stay up to date on any advancements and innovations in their engineering specialty. Certain continuing education courses can help engineers prepare for certifications or recertifications, as well.
You can acquire new skills by venturing outside your specialty and learning about a different area of engineering. For example, if you are a civil engineer, it may be fun for you to take a robotics or coding class. You may also choose to learn something unrelated to engineering, but that would help your career. Business seminars or leadership workshops may help you with the management and sales parts of many engineering jobs.
If you are an engineer, you can also benefit from continuing education because it can help you stand out among other candidates when searching for new employment opportunities. Continuing education looks great on resumes. It signals to employers that you want to develop new skills and continue to grow in your professional abilities.
Types of Continuing Education for Engineers
Continuing education allows engineers to stay updated on the field’s latest topics, new technology, and best practices. There are various types of continuing education, including:
- Workshops and Seminars
- Certifications
- Licensure preparation classes
- Higher education programs
For engineers, the most appropriate type of continuing education will depend on their goals. If they want to learn about new technologies or hear from other industry professionals, workshops, and seminars are a perfect option.
Licensure Renewal Credits for Engineers
To earn an engineering license, you are required to graduate with a four-year degree in engineering, work under a professional engineer for four years, and pass two competency exams. Each state’s licensure board grants engineering licenses.
Many states require professional engineers to renew their licensures every two years or so. Part of the requirements for licensure renewal is earning a certain number of continuing education hours. We recommend that our clients look at the requirements for Kansas or Missouri, wherever they plan to work.
Workshops, Seminars, and Conferences for Engineers
Learn from other engineering professionals by attending workshops, seminars, and conferences. Often, a speaker will share their professional experiences or introduce new innovative methods. These types of continuing education also allow engineers to network with other engineering professionals in their area. Many of these events are being held virtually, for the time being so that you won’t be restricted by travel either.
Certifications for Engineers
There are many different types of engineering certifications that you can earn. Typically, an engineer will earn a certificate that directly relates to their field. For example, if you are a mechanical engineer, you could earn certifications to become a Certified Plan Maintenance Manager or Certified Packaging Professional.
Higher Education Programs for Engineers
After several years of experience, it is common for engineers to go back to school to pursue a master’s degree. Doing so can help them perform well in their job and become more competitive for opportunities in the field. However, it is natural for these engineers to choose master’s degree programs in engineering schools or colleges. In our experience, engineers who earn a master’s degree in business or sales become more competitive in the job market and are more qualified for management roles.
When engineers are business savvy, it is attractive to firms looking for someone with a sales background. After all, engineer firms must acquire new projects. Therefore, employees with a Master of Business Administration or similar degree are very appealing individuals to bring onto a team.
Continuing Education for Engineers in Kansas City
Engineers in Kansas City have many options when it comes to continuing education. For master’s degrees and certificates, various colleges and universities in the Kansas City metro offer higher education programs in both engineering and business.
- The University of Missouri-Kansas City has many continuing education opportunities and master degree programs for engineers, including civil engineering, electrical engineer, and mechanical engineering. UMKC also offers a Professional Master of Business Administration program for engineers looking to develop their business skills.
- The University of Kansas-Edward’s Campus is conveniently located in Johnson County, KS, and offers various master’s of engineering programs and business certificates.
- Rockhurst University’s Helzberg School of Management offers both in-person and online MBA programs. You can also pick from a long list of certificate programs, including organizational development and science leadership
There are many more universities and colleges to choose from, but these are just a few examples of the higher education opportunities for engineers in Kansas City.
In addition to master’s degrees and professional certificates, there are many different seminars and workshops available to engineers and other professionals in Kansas City. Often, professional organizations will offer educational activities, such as seminars and conferences. The Kansas Society of Engineers and Missouri Society of Professional Engineers are both great resources to learn about upcoming events.
At Austin Nichols, our recruiters can help you include your continuing education or training on your resume. We are dedicated to connecting engineering candidates with firms in Kansas City. Call us today at 816-471-5575 to start working with our team of professional recruiters.
