Employers

Approximately 430,400 engineering technicians are employed in the United States. About 35 percent work in manufacturing and 25 percent work in professional, scientific, and technical service industries. Approximately 20 percent of engineering technicians work for government agencies.

Starting Out

Most technical schools, community colleges, and universities have career services offices. Companies actively recruit employees while they are still in school or are nearing graduation. Because these job services are the primary source of entry-level jobs for engineering technicians, you should check out a school's placement rate for your specific field before making a final decision about attending.

Another way to obtain employment is through direct contact with a particular company. It is best to contact the personnel department and include a resume summarizing your education and experience. If the company has an appropriate opening, a company representative will schedule an interview with you. There are also many excellent public and commercial employment organizations that can help graduates obtain jobs appropriate to their training and experience.

Newspaper want ads and employment services are other methods of getting jobs. Professional or trade magazines often have job listings and can be good sources for job seekers. Professional associations compile information on job openings and publish job lists. For example, the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians offers lists of job openings at its Web site, https://iscet-jobs.careerwebsite.com. Information about job openings can also be found in trade magazines. Professional organizations are also good for networking with other technicians and are up to date on industry advancement, changes, and areas of employment.

As engineering technicians remain with a company, they become more valuable to the employer. Opportunities for advancement are available for engineering technicians who are willing to accept greater responsibilities either by specializing in a specific field, taking on more technically complex assignments, or by assuming supervisory duties. Some technicians advance by moving into technical sales or customer relations. Others pursue advanced education to become engineering technologists or engineers.

Utilize the resources offered by professional associations in your specialty such as the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, and IEEE.

Read publications such as The High-Tech News (https://www.eta-i.org/high_tech_news.html) to learn more about industry trends.

Visit http://careers.nicet.org/jobseekers for job listings.

Join professional associations such as the American Society of Certified Engineering Technicians to access training and networking resources, industry publications, and employment opportunities.

Become certified by the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians, Electronics Technicians Association International, and other organizations in order to show employers that you have met the highest standards established by your industry and increase your chances of landing a job.