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’Necessity is the mother of invention’ is a phrase we’ve all heard at one time or another no doubt. As humans, we’re hard-wired to think about the problems we face in life and try and come up with solutions to them, solutions which facilitate us and others around us. The invention of the wheel is a classic example.

Engineering is a profession that applies the principles of math and science to practical problems. In the U.S., an undergraduate engineering degree usually takes four years and can cost up to tens of thousands of dollars. Graduate programs can take anywhere between two to six years and add more to the cost of an undergraduate degree. Luckily, many scholarship programs are available to help students offset those costs.

As an engineer, you’ll realise it’s important to stay current with any new technological breakthroughs as they may benefit you in your career. Even if they don’t directly impact your career, new technologies are always interesting and will boost your passion for engineering. In this article we will explore some YouTube videos that every engineer should watch. If you are planning on studying engineering then these videos will definitely convince you that it’s a field of expertise that can lead to a most interesting career.

We all know that engineers are far too busy working on the latest projects and getting to grips with ever-changing technology to actually sit down and watch the idiot-box. Well, perhaps that’s not strictly true – we all need a break sometimes. And who doesn’t like to kick back now and again with the remote control in one hand and light (or not-so-light) beverage in the other? So, without further ado let’s take a look at some top TV shows that engineers will love (in no particular order).

Richard, organizer of the original Bitcoin, Ethereum and Blockchain Super Conference, held in February, is hosting a follow-up conference in September. Like the first conference, the second offers attendees a rare opportunity to network with many of the most respected players in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space – including developers, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and “smart money” hedge fund managers who are now piling their capital into blockchain assets.

Computer engineering is a hybrid between electronic engineering and software engineering and its focus is to develop hardware and software systems. Due to the complexity and rate of change in technology in this field, it is imperative for a computer engineer’s knowledge and skills to remain up to date. The most efficient way to achieve this is by attending conferences as these concentrate new developments in one place. Software engineering refers to the creation of programs that can perform a defined set of functions through coding.

What kind of movies appeal to engineers? That’s a good question. You have to think about what kind of people engineers (generally) are – problem solvers, innovators, logical thinkers, action takers. Then it becomes pretty obvious. We like films about engineering. Maybe some maths. Sci-fi elements perhaps? And of course, plenty of good old-fashioned action.

It’s a well-known fact that historically, women have been less likely to move into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) career fields. The institutions and organisations mentioned in this article aim to empower woman and girls to pursue careers in the STEM fields. The lack of woman in STEM fields currently is a global problem, and as such this article aims to shine light on 5 institutions that are working hard to eradicate this issue and to help us move towards a more balanced society.

As an engineer, finding the perfect job is often a long drawn out process of trial and error. Some aim for the highest paying jobs, while others use a passion based approach to selecting a job. Each of these approaches has its advantages and disadvantages. The aim of the list below is to give an unbiased breakdown of the trends in the engineering sector and which jobs take advantage of these trends. If some of these jobs align with your passion or your need to secure a well-paying job, then all the better.

As additive manufacturing begins to take off at an exponential rate it is often difficult to stay current with the constantly evolving technologies and applications. The best method to learn is to have some face to face time with the experts. The highest density of experts will always be at tradeshows.

The world of engineering is at the gates of a technological revolution that will very much change our lives in every way, from our work and education, to our entertainment and relationships.

As an engineer it is often necessary to turn the theoretical musings of scientists into practical real-world applications. Listed below are some of the more exciting developments that are set to drastically change the engineering landscape.

As the end of 2017 approaches we tend to reflect on our achievements of the past year and have our own internal performance review. A lucky few people are completely content with how the year played out. The rest of us are left with a feeling that we could have done more, learnt more and  pushed just a bit harder. So, with this general feeling comes the annual tradition of making a new year’s resolution. As engineers we are not immune to this.

Do you want to be more knowledgeable in the field of engineering? Well, look no further! Whether you are walking your dog, driving a car, or travelling in a bus, a podcast can be your best friend. Initially introduced to be used on your iPod; podcasting is a successful industry, which covers a wide range of topics. The oral form of delivering a podcast, driven by voices, gives you a sense of intimacy to the words as a listener.

Whether it’s Christmas or an upcoming birthday, gifts are a fantastic way to show another person you care. If you’re lucky enough to have an engineer as your nearest and dearest, or perhaps work with one, then you’ll want to make sure you find a gift that someone with such a curious and logical mind-set will really appreciate. Any ideas? Fear not. Even though not all engineers specialize in the same field or have the same hobbies, these 10 cool gifts will make (almost) every engineer as happy as a kid on Christmas morning.

Any technology that is always on, user-controlled, accessible and portable that is attached to the user’s physical space can be broadly considered as wearable technology. Its concept has been around since the advent of the “Calculator Watch” in the 1970s. Today, this definition would apply to a device which is akin to a computer in terms of interaction and capabilities.

Current or future engineers; are you in your final years of college and wondering what’s next? Have you wondered how or if your career will change over the course of the next 30 years?

Ok, so engineers aren’t necessarily renowned for their scintillating wit. But there are a lot of in-jokes in engineering. We do a job that most people really don’t understand, which means there is a rich vein of comedy material that only us engineers will understand.

Ok, so engineers don’t have the most fun-loving reputation. Let’s try and change that perception, shall we? Fancy dress is the perfect opportunity to show your wacky, crazy, party-animal side. If you’re the kind of person who cringes at the idea of dressing up, try adopting an alter-ego. The best way to do this is to find something or someone you would enjoy being for a night. With Halloween approaching, here are some costume ideas that would fit engineers perfectly.

Are you an avid iPad user? Most of us are. It seems we’re becoming increasingly reliant on our mobile devices to keep us in touch with the world around us. Did you know there are a huge number of apps available out there for engineers? There are apps ranging from unit converters, through to circuit board design and everything in between. If you thought apps were only for playing games on – think again.

Who’s the greatest Engineer of all time?

Engineers are by definition, problem solvers and innovators. Whether it’s to do with transportation, buildings, medical devices or energy sources, engineers are always looking for ways to make everyday life better for their fellow human beings. With the rapid rate at which changes are taking place in the world today, we all have to keep on our toes to stay ahead of the curve and this is especially true in the engineering world. It always helps to have a heads up in terms of knowing what you might be up against.

Although artificial intelligence (AI) was born in the 1950’s, only recently has it gained serious traction. There have been many movies over the years depicting robots that can make decisions for themselves from Star Wars through to The Terminator. At the time, they seemed so futuristic. Now, AI is becoming a reality and the movies of yesteryear suddenly don’t seem so far-fetched.

Would you like to get ahead in your engineering role? In today’s fast paced world of tweets, connects and posts, why not do yourself a favour and take some time out to read a good book and increase your knowledge along the way? It’s well documented that many of the most successful people on the planet take time out to read on a daily basis.