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From Technical Engineer to Management: How an MEM Degree Can Help
From Engineer to Manager: How an MEM Degree Can Help You Transition. Take your education and career to new heights by earning your MEM from WashU. Become a leader in the field, and let us help you along the way!
From Engineer to Manager: How an MEM Degree Can Help You Transition
Comparing the Roles of an Engineer and an Engineering Manager
In some careers, workers gain experience on the job and eventually become supervisors or managers. But in engineering, the path to becoming an engineering manager often begins in college.
By the time an engineering student is ready to choose a master’s degree program (or is already working as an engineer and ready to take the next step in their career), there are two primary master’s degree tracks to consider—a master’s degree in an engineering discipline and a master’s degree in engineering management.
Students who choose to become an engineer often build careers such as:
- Mechanical engineer
- Chemical engineer
- Civil engineer
- Electrical engineer
- Software engineer
- Aerospace engineer
Students who choose to become an engineering manager typically look for jobs like:
- Engineering manager
- Product manager
- Project manager
- Operations manager
- Construction manager
- Plant manager
Comparing roles and responsibilities
Engineers might spend their day in a production setting, on a computer or experimenting in a lab. They are often part of a team of engineers working on different components of the same project.
Engineering managers oversee teams of engineers and direct workflow, staffing and ensuring that project deadlines and goals are met. An engineering manager combines their technical engineering expertise with the supervisory and managerial skills necessary to effectively lead teams and projects.
Benefits of Becoming an Engineering Manager
Earning a master’s degree in engineering management will prepare you for a career as an engineering manager. Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) offers a Master of Engineering Management (MEM) degree that will set you apart with a prestigious degree.
By earning WashU’s Master of Engineering Management degree and obtaining an engineering management job, you’ll enjoy many benefits
Engineers might spend their day in a production setting, on a computer or experimenting in a lab. They are often part of a team of engineers working on different components of the same project.
Engineering managers oversee teams of engineers and direct workflow, staffing and ensuring that project deadlines and goals are met. An engineering manager combines their technical engineering expertise with the supervisory and managerial skills necessary to effectively lead teams and projects.
Learn how to become an engineering manager.
Opportunities for career advancement
With your master’s degree and some engineering management experience, you can take on more responsibility and obtain more advanced leadership roles. Your engineering management career path can boost your professional growth to become a director, a member of senior management or even obtain a C-suite position.
Keeping up with technology
A career in engineering management helps you stay on top of new technology, constant innovation and even take part in developing future technologies. This also allows you to maintain strong relationships with the engineers you supervise as a liaison between the existing technologies they use and enhancements or new technologies that could help them be more productive.
Inspiring teams to flourish and succeed
Providing effective supervision and guidance to members of your team allows you opportunities to improve work outcomes. Mentoring team members and helping them enhance their career paths can help improve the entire organization. As an engineering manager, recognizing good ideas and talented people is essential to being an effective leader.
Earning Your Master’s Degree in Engineering Management
By choosing to earn a master’s degree in engineering management, you’ll become an engineering manager who sees the bigger picture, can make data-informed decisions and possesses the leadership skills to reach across the organization.
WashU’s nationally ranked Master of Engineering Management degree program can help you advance in your career with the knowledge, leadership and skills needed to understand, shape and lead projects, as well as manage teams, engineering functions and companies. Known as the “engineer’s MBA,” WashU’s MEM degree offers you:
- A full-time, in-person and on-campus education
- An available part-time option
- MEM courses that are available in evening and online formats, and are designed with input from employers, thought leaders and practitioners
A 15-unit (five-course) graduate certificate in Engineering Management is also available, and you can transfer to the MEM degree program at any time.
Learn more about our MEM degree program, including admission requirements and deadlines, courses, resources and attending an information session.
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If you’re ready to flourish as an engineering manager, WashU’s Master of Engineering Management degree program is ideal for you.