Not everyone knows what they want to do with their lives, but it’s never too late to make a change. Juanita Ghaney did just that and returned to school at 35 to become an Engineering Technologist. Through her school work terms, she gained real exposure to the field and hasn’t looked back since.
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Do you like the sound of a workday that includes:
- Figuring out how equipment works
- Using science, technology, and ingenuity to solve problems
- Building, designing, and maintaining systems
- Working as part of a team as well as on your own
- Working with computers
- Paying attention to detail
Then you ought to look at a career as an Engineering Technologist.
What does an Engineering Technologist do?
Engineering Technologists from the electrical, mechanical and civil disciplines work in the electricity industry. They work in many different areas: substation design, transmission, distribution, protection and control, generation, environmental management, network service, energy conservation, and asset planning and management.
Protection and Control
Electrical Engineering Technologists design protection and control systems that regulate the system and prevent or respond to abnormal conditions. For example they may set up circuit breakers to react to an abnormal condition and keep the system safe.
They also design systems to monitor the electricity system’s performance and communicate problems. This includes equipment ranging from the sophisticated monitoring equipment in electrical utilities’ central control centres to meters that measure power consumption.
Distribution
Electrical Engineering Technologists working in distribution interact with customers as they conduct customer related investigations, including power quality problems, damage claims, high consumption, and radio interference. They investigate and recommend modifications to correct voltage problems, update the distribution drawings so the information is kept current, and prepare cost estimates for the modifications. Technologists provide technical guidance to line crews and contractors and interact with municipal councils and other regulatory bodies.
Civil
Civil engineering technologists are responsible for civil engineering design, project management and supervision of projects to upgrade generating facilities, substations, and relevant buildings. They inspect, troubleshoot, and recommend repairs and modifications for the civil works of hydro plants, dams, dykes, support buildings, and hydraulic structures. They perform fluid flow measurements, and prepare technical reports for civil inspections and major repairs.
Where would I work?
Engineering Technologists are hot commodities in this industry. They’re needed by just about everyone, from the big utility companies to subcontractors.
What training do I need to become an Engineering Technologist?
- Graduation from high school with completion of specific English, math and science courses
- Completion of a three year engineering technology program
- Completion of a training program offered by the employer/company
If you’re interested in this career, now is the time to have a look at the entrance requirements for Engineering Technology program at College of the North Atlantic.
Where can this career lead me?
Gain some experience and you can pursue supervisory roles or specialize in a technical area like protection and control.
Becoming a registered professional has its perks.
When the time comes, you can join the Association of Engineering Technicians and Technologists.
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