Page 10 Manufacturing • Thursday, October 23, 2025 pressnews. com
Opportunities abound in the field of engineering
Engineering is a vital component of many industries. Engineers affect nearly every aspect of daily life, and a career in engineering can be both fulfilling and financially rewarding.
According to PayScale. com, degrees in the STEM fields, which focus on science, technology, engineering, or math, continue to be at or near the top of the site’ s College Salary Report. Engineering seems to be an especially lucrative degree to have. In fact, the 2018 report found that three of the top four highest paying jobs for people with a bachelors degree were in the field of engineering.
A high salary is certainly enticing, but many professional engineers feel their jobs are more than just a paycheck, as overcoming the challenges posed by a career in engineering can lead to great personal satisfaction.
The various disciplines within the field of engineering attract students from all walks of life, making engineering an attractive career path for young people with an array of skillsets and interests. The following are just some of the many potential career opportunities for students who earn degrees in engineering.
Electrical and electronics engineer: Technology is vital to daily life in the 21st century, and electrical and electronics engineers play an integral role in making the connected world a reality. Electrical engineers work on everything from computers to wireless networks to automobiles and aircrafts.
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Engineering is a vital component of many industries. Engineers affect nearly every aspect of daily life, and a career in engineering can be both fulfilling and financially rewarding.
Chemical engineer: Combining the principles of biology, chemistry, economics, mathematics, and physics, chemical engineers strive to convert chemicals, energy and other materials into useful products. Chemical engineers work in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, petroleum, energy, and manufacturing. Some chemical engineers focus on research, while others may work on quality control or safety procedures.
Computer engineer: Whether using their smartphones, tablets, laptops, or desktops, few people now go a full day without using some type of computer. They have computer engineers, who create and improve existing computer technologies, to thank for that. Computer engineers may focus their efforts on wireless networks, the internet or other systems that businesses and people rely on every day.
Mechanical engineer: Mechanical engineers are involved in the research, design and development of machinery. Such machinery may include medical devices, appliances people have in their homes that they use every day or turbines.
The field of engineering can be rewarding and lucrative. Becoming a professional engineer requires years of schooling, but the rewards of such a pursuit can be well worth the effort.
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“ Complement, in this case, is ketchup on a hot dog— not,‘ Damn, that’ s a great hot dog!’”
The line drew laughter from the crowd, but Banaian’ s larger message was clear: manufacturers that embrace technology to empower their workforce—
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rather than replace it— will be the ones positioned to thrive.
A strong foundation
Slides presented during the breakfast underscored manufacturing’ s critical role in both the regional and state economy. Minnesota is home to more than 8,500 manufacturers employing over 331,000 people— a concentration 30 % higher than the
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national average. The sector contributes $ 58.8 billion a year to the state’ s GDP, and its average annual wage of $ 83,280 is about 12 % higher than the statewide average.
Closer to home, more than 6,100 people work in manufacturing in Wright County. The industry anchors Monticello’ s economy, providing roughly half the city’ s tax base and employing
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about one in four local workers.
Recent facility expansions by Wiha Tools, Suburban Manufacturing Group and Jensen Precision Machining— adding 75,000, 21,000 and 12,000 square feet respectively— reflect continued confidence in the region’ s manufacturing future.
That optimism, Banaian said, is well-placed. He compared the economy to a three-legged stool
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— one supported by labor, investment and innovation. Remove a leg, and it collapses; keep them balanced, and it stands firm.
“ You can’ t control tariffs, interest rates or regulations,” he told the crowd.“ But you can control how you adapt. Productivity is your path forward— and innovation is what keeps the stool standing.”
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