Historical works, such as the Egyptian pyramids, the Roman aqueducts, and the Greek and Persian monuments, are examples of engineering ingenuity. In the contemporary world, the technological breakthroughs, such as computers, lasers, and robots, have become reality due to the creativity and imagination of engineers. People-made wonders, such as the Hoover Dam, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Empire State Building, and the Gateway Arch on the Mississippi River, are examples of engineering ingenuity. Great inventors like Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo, James Watt, and Thomas Edison had exceptional engineering minds. Engineers need a firm knowledge of the sciences and mathematics and must be able to analyze complex situations involving people, money, machines, and information in order to create workable and economical designs.
Engineers often work with others in a team to develop systems and products.
The increasing technological complexity of modern society offers both opportunities as well as challenges to the engineering graduates of the future. Engineers are employed in practically every field of human endeavor. This includes manufacturing, construction, education, government, health care, and business. As society becomes increasingly more technological, an engineering education provides a background for careers which will extend well into the 21st century. There is a real need for more engineering professionals, and so there are tremendous opportunities for everyone, including women and underrepresented minorities, in this field.