## [4 Reasons Why Engineering is a Profession for the Future](/spotlight/why-engineering/4-reasons-why-engineering-profession-for-future) Here's why engineering is a profession for the future. ![Design & Innovation Day, Kai Jacobson](/sites/default/files/styles/max_480w/public/spotlight-images/2022-10/2022-04-07_Design%20%26%20Innovation%20Day_Kai%20Jacobson_unrestrictred_-34%281%29.jpg.webp?itok=PmC7G-gr) ## Share- [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2F"e= "Share on Facebook") - [ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?source=https%3A%2F%2F&text=:%20https%3A%2F%2F "Tweet") - [ ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2F&title=&summary=&source=https%3A%2F%2F "Share on LinkedIn") - [ ](mailto:?subject=&body=:%20https%3A%2F%2F "Send email") **25 years ago, cell phones were the size of bricks. Renewable energy accounted for only a fraction of our energy mix. And the use of 3D printing to create medical devices and other life-saving technologies was just the germ of an idea.** Innovations like these have made our world more connected, safe, healthy and prosperous. None of them could have been achieved without engineers. The next 25 years will see engineers making equally important advances to address the challenges facing our planet. Engineering has been called a profession for the future. We do not know what the future will look like, but we do know that engineers will be on the front lines in shaping it. ## 1. Engineering touches every part of our lives Every aspect of our built environment has been touched by an engineer. From our roads and bridges to manufacturing processes, from the way vaccines are delivered and biomedical advances like prosthetics and laser eye surgery, and from [pollution mitigation measures](https://engineering.ubc.ca/news/2022/ubc-engineering-entrepreneurs-join-fight-against-plastic-pollution) to our ability to recharge batteries…all these things came about because of an engineer. With the climate crisis and social inequality posing existential challenges to communities around the world, we need engineers to develop innovations and technologies that are equitable and have minimal impact on the environment. Learn more about what our students and alumni have worked on to make our world a better place. [Image ![Stephanie by the ocean](/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2022-10/Stephanie-Quon.jpg.webp?itok=m_YyTOX8) ](/student-and-alumni-spotlights "Student and Alumni Spotlights") ### [Student and Alumni Success Stories](/student-and-alumni-spotlights "Student and Alumni Spotlights") [Image ![Student project team in front of their poster and booth](/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2022-10/hardware-software-biofeedback-physio.jpg.webp?itok=2kzTTm-D) ](/student-project-spotlights "Student Project Spotlights") ### [Student Project Spotlights](/student-project-spotlights "Student Project Spotlights") ## 2. Engineers are in high demand in every industry Labour forecasters analyze demographic trends to predict how many jobs may be needed in a specific sector. They know that over the next 10 years there will be a huge wave of retirements in engineering, opening up many new positions. On top of the need for new graduates to replace those who are retiring, the sector as a whole is growing. Virtually every industry needs engineers, and they are increasingly needing more of them. Find out more about the engineering programs you can choose from at UBC. [UBC's 14 engineering programs](/programs/undergraduate "Undergraduate Programs") ## 3. Engineers are at the forefront of change Technological change happens fast, and engineers need to stay on top of the latest advances in their profession. That’s why life-long learning is one of the 12 attributes of an engineer according to Engineers Canada. For those who are naturally curious and enjoy learning new things, engineering is an exciting career option. We live in a period of rapid change, and engineers will be the ones [shaping the future](https://engineering.ubc.ca/news/2022/ubcs-smart-energy-district). [Image ![Aerial view of UBC Vancouver campus](/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2022-10/ubc-campus-aerial-960x640.jpg.webp?itok=ENSkIOGs) ](/news/2022/ubcs-smart-energy-district "UBC’s Smart Energy District") ### [UBC’s Smart Energy District: It's about to change the future](/news/2022/ubcs-smart-energy-district "UBC’s Smart Energy District") [Image ![Assistant Prof. Naomi Zimmerman with members of her lab: (L-R) Stefan Colbow, postdoctoral fellow Dr. Surya Dhulipala, Rachel Habermehl and Mrinmoy Chakraborty](/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2022-08/plume-van-6-photo-credit-ubc-mechanical-engineeringpaul-joseph-960x640-apsc-web_0.jpg.webp?itok=mJXvAzoz) ](/news/2022/ubc-engineering-deploys-mobile-air-pollution-laboratory "UBC Engineering deploys mobile air pollution laboratory") ### [UBC Engineering deploys mobile air pollution laboratory](/news/2022/ubc-engineering-deploys-mobile-air-pollution-laboratory "UBC Engineering deploys mobile air pollution laboratory") ## 4. Critical thinking, innovation and creativity will always be needed As a UBC Engineering student, you will learn how to use design thinking to solve problems. This approach to problem-solving and critical thinking will enable you to make important contributions and stay relevant no matter how much your industry changes. [Image ![UBC Rocket team outdoors and in front of their rocket ](/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2022-10/bacteria-based-batteries-ubc-rocket.jpg.webp?itok=628_zDsZ) ](/news/2022/bacteria-based-batteries-ubc-engineering-design-teams-offer-students-chance-to-innovate "Bacteria-based batteries? UBC engineering design teams offer students chance to innovate") ### [Design teams offer students chance to innovate](/news/2022/bacteria-based-batteries-ubc-engineering-design-teams-offer-students-chance-to-innovate "Bacteria-based batteries? UBC engineering design teams offer students chance to innovate") [Image ![AeroDesign team in front of their aircraft on a football field](/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2022-10/UBC-AeroDesign-2022-Snorlax.jpeg.webp?itok=uOjK5fHJ) ](/news/2022/ubc-engineering-students-aircraft-model-features-bc-wood-in-international-competition "UBC engineering students’ aircraft model features BC wood in international competition") ### [Aircraft model features BC wood in international competition](/news/2022/ubc-engineering-students-aircraft-model-features-bc-wood-in-international-competition "UBC engineering students’ aircraft model features BC wood in international competition") ## Build your future-proof career at UBC Engineering [UBC Engineering tops Canadian university rankings](/news/2022/ubc-engineering-tops-canadian-university-rankings) Many of the biggest challenges our world is facing will be solved by engineers. We will always need people who can use their knowledge and skills to come up with more innovative, cost-effective and sustainable solutions. Do you want to be one of them? Learn how to [start your future at UBC Engineering](https://engineering.ubc.ca/admissions/undergraduate). - [Why Engineering?](/spotlight-type/why-engineering "Why Engineering?") - [Engineering](/topics/engineering "Engineering")