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A simple homework assignment in a 1st level class could take hours of work, with a lot of stumbles and backtracking if any mistakes are made in calculation. And of course, advanced courses require exponentially more work. These are not your typical math and science courses, but more like all your most difficult math and science courses rolled into one.

The work ethic required to finish four to eight years of school is also required to break into the business. Entry level engineers frequently "pay their dues" working 60-90 hour weeks, doing the relative grunt work on project after project in their firms as they work to earn promotion.

You also must be able to work with people to complete projects. A person who likes to work alone probably won't make a good engineer, if he can get promoted at all. Engineering projects require a variety of materials and experts to complete, and you need to possess an understanding of what everyone brings to the table and what they need to bring. To be on the same page, you need to be able to communicate effectively with everyone on a project.

Even with the basic technical skills, the life of the $300K per year top engineer isn't attained without clawing your way up the ladder during your first several years. The work ethic required to withstand this workload without cracking is far greater than you need in most professions. And you not only need to possess the drive and the knowledge, but an ability to communicate with others so that they produce the product you designed as you designed it. Engineers make great money, but for a reason: their job requires a combination of abilities that few lines of work do.

If you are great with math and physics, if you work well with others and you work hard, engineering is a great line of work. But only if.

Learn more about this author, Steven Gomez.
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