Should You Study Engineering in the 21st Century?

Hey guys!

Today we’re going to talk about an important and very relevant question: should you study engineering in the 21st century?

I’m Alex, a UK Chartered Engineer, a European Engineer, and a Certified Career Coach for Engineers.

Let’s begin with the main reason why 99% of people go to work, and that’s money. At the end of this article, I’ll give you an important tip that can really help you increase your salary and grow in your career. But first, let’s talk about whether the engineering profession today actually meets financial expectations.

So, let’s be honest. If you want to become an engineer only to make money, then in the 21st century this is not the best choice. The world has changed a lot, and today there are many easier, safer, and often better-paid ways to earn money. This is especially true in fields like IT, finance, social media, and others.

I’ve already talked in detail in another video about engineer salaries in Europe and around the world. If you’re interested, definitely check out those videos. But now, let’s step away from numbers and look at the big picture.

When I finished school in 2004, there was no YouTube or any other popular social media. The first iPhone was introduced in 2007, and that was the beginning of a whole new era in mobile technology and apps. The big boom really started around 2014-2015.

Over the last 20 years, the world has changed completely. Like Robert Kiyosaki said, today a person with a laptop, a phone, and internet access can change the world. And I completely agree with that.

Still, many people today continue to think using the ideas from the last century, the industrial age. I don’t want to say engineering is outdated. In fact, I believe it’s an incredibly important and needed profession. Everything around us was created and built by engineers. But sadly, in today’s world, the engineering profession is often undervalued.

At the same time, for those who are still deciding whether to choose engineering majors or major in engineering, it’s important to clearly understand what an engineering degree from college really gives you today. It provides a foundation, but employers expect much more than theory; they want you to know how to apply these skills in real projects, think critically, and learn fast. If you already know that you’re ready for continuous learning, responsibility, and long-term growth, then engineering can still be a strong path, but without the willingness to constantly develop these skills beyond college, even the best degree will not deliver the results many students expect.

It really hurts me to see that the work of engineers today is often not appreciated. Now, some taxi drivers can make more money than engineers. I also started my career in tough conditions: I worked on rotations, earning only $500 for a 14-day rotation, working 12 hours a day. Only due to persistence and constant self-development was I able to eventually find a well-paid expat job.

By the way, if you’re interested in an international career or want my advice on that, I’ll be happy to help.

Another important point we should talk about is the actual job of an engineer. Unfortunately, the reality is that most engineers today do routine, administrative work that has nothing to do with what they were taught in university. Some people could say: why study for 5-6 years if, in the end, your salary is lower than a taxi driver’s, and the knowledge you gained is not even used?

I truly hope that in the future the engineering profession will be more respected than it is today. I want people to go into engineering not just for money, but with a desire to create, to invent, and to solve difficult problems.

But what if you’ve already chosen the path of an engineer? That doesn’t mean you have to accept things the way they are now. In fact, there are things you can do to improve your career and your income.

As I promised, here’s one important step that can really help you raise your salary and move forward: getting the status of Chartered Engineer, also known as CEng.

As a UK Chartered Engineer (CEng) and European Engineer (EUR ING) with more than 17 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, I’ve seen how professional status and internationally recognized credentials can directly affect your opportunities, project level, and negotiation power, especially when applying for expat roles or senior positions.

Chartered Engineer is the highest professional level for engineers in the UK and in many other countries. It shows that you are highly qualified, experienced, and committed to your profession. To get this status, you need to go through a certification process where you prove your experience, your involvement in professional projects, and successfully pass an interview.

But why is this so important? Because having CEng opens the door to higher-paying and more interesting projects, both in your country and abroad. It boosts your professional reputation and gives you a real chance to apply for better positions in companies, especially internationally.

As a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC) who has helped many engineers strengthen their career positioning for international roles, I can tell you that CEng often works as a credibility shortcut. It reduces doubts for employers and recruiters, and it can become the difference between getting shortlisted or being ignored.

So if your goal is a high salary and a stable career, it’s not enough just to choose engineering. You also need to keep growing, get new qualifications, and always look for new opportunities. The world is changing, and we have to change together. Engineering is a core, vital profession that will always be needed, but to succeed in this field, you have to be smart about it and adapt to modern conditions.

Guys, don’t go into engineering just for the money. In today’s world, there are other areas like social media, finance, blogging, sports, advertising, marketing, business, and many more that can bring in even higher income. But if you truly love engineering and are ready to invest in your development, then this can be a great and successful choice for you.