Engineering jobs are not for the faint hearted. You have to have a real passion for problem solving and find both science and technology stimulating.

The word engineer actually derived from the Latin ingenium, meaning 'cleverness', so the expectations of entering a field such as this may seem quite high!

But what other qualities do engineers need, aside some smarts and some passion? And which certifications can take your career further?

Engineers are expected, at least, to have formal training in the subject in higher education, with qualifications such as BEng and MEng being the most popular. In addition, you'll need good problem-solving abilities and should be able to apply these to practical problems. As with any job that requires the efforts of so many to produce just one project, you should be a team-player with excellent communication and organisational skills.

And of course, motivation, enthusiasm and a sense of pride make up the ideal candidate for an engineering career.
These skills are best demonstrated with an extensive portfolio of work experience. Placements and junior vacancies at recruitment agencies are ideal ways of breaking into the industry.
You should be prepared to work in a variety of locations, some glamourous and some, not so much. You could find yourself in an office, laboratory, factory or on site at a construction yard. Most opportunities take place in major towns and cities, but specialised industries could take you to the coasts, or even overseas.
Work hours are likely to vary massively too. Because of this diverse array of working locations, you could be working on shifts, away from home on location or in traditionally office hours depending which path you take.
An engineer's career path can lead to many avenues of specialised work, including: product and process development; manufacturing; consultancy; research and development; data management; IT support; logistics; management and administration; and sales.

The best way of moving up the career ladder however, is by getting more qualifications. These demonstrate a benchmark level of competence and commitment and also show that you are interested in continuing with professional development - something that sets one engineer apart from another.

Chartered engineers (CEng) tend to gain their titles within four - six years after initial qualification. They by far, enjoy the widest range of work and enjoyment when it comes to job satisfaction, but ultimately, they share their skill-base with everyone else in the trade.