subject: If You Are Interested In Becoming An Engineering Manager, Take Classes Online! [print this page] Most work in science is not done by a single person in a lab coat and a chalk board. Actually, technological discovery is more the domain of a team of scientists, engineers and technicians working like a well-oiled machine. The person who has to ride heard over this team is the engineering manager. See what information there is about online master.
As the name implies, engineering managers are not only employed because of their technical knowledge, but also because of both their leadership and communications abilities. This is an occupation that is as much earned through on-the-job experience as well as academic excellence. At its core, the engineering manager is the nexus point between upper management and the team of scientists, fellow engineers and technicians actually doing the work.
As intimated before, this is a position that isn't earned just by education, but through merit. On the average, the manager not only has his or her Bachelor's degree in their engineering specialty, but usually has put in five or more years working for one company or another. Most managerial candidates are usually handpicked by a company for their exceptional leadership and communications skills as well as years of service. Even with this, the promotion doesn't happen overnight. If this interests you, then read about Online E Business Degrees.
What oft-times happens is the company will sponsor their candidate at an online college, where the employee will not actually be taking many courses in their engineering specialty. Instead, they will more than likely study for the GMAT exam and after passing take either an MBA or Masters in Engineering Management course load. These courses focus more on accounting, auditing and business, creating reports and marketing and personnel management.
Many students usually take their courses through the aegis of an online college. Part of this is due to their companies also putting them through a sort of apprenticeship program by day, learning internal managerial procedures while going to their courses at night. They also have the advantage of studying at home instead of adding an extra commute to the docket. It usually takes about 1-2 years for the entire process to end with a degree.
Salaries for engineering managers are dependent on a lot of factors. The first is the industry they work in. Then comes location. Finally, the actual work experience and possible accolades the manager has achieved. Suffice the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the overall average salary is $122,000, but can swing from as low as $75,000 to over $150,000. As can be expected, the job does come with a solid benefits package.
As far as the future of the occupation, the Bureau estimates growth in the field somewhere between slow to average. While there will be some growth due to increased labor force, many of the job vacancies created will be to replace managers who either went further up the corporate ladder or retired.
