Niche fields in Engineering?

Hello all! I have always been interested in engineering, but I'm a bit overwhelmed by the number of branches it has, beyond the usual ones like mechanical, civil, electrical etc. So, I was wondering what other types of engineering are out there that are a bit off the beaten path?

Absolutely, there are many engineering disciplines beyond the "traditional" ones like mechanical, civil, and electrical. If you have a specialized interest or want to explore a specific field, you might consider some of these lesser-known disciplines:

1. Biomedical Engineering: Combines medicine and biology with engineering principles to enhance healthcare. You could be involved in designing medical equipment, creating regenerative medicine, or developing computer models of biological systems.

2. Environmental Engineering: This field focuses on waste management, pollution control, public health, and water and air pollution control. A big part of this field is developing technologies that minimize the impact of human activity on the environment.

3. Nuclear Engineering: This type of engineering involves the development and maintenance of nuclear fission systems and components, which includes both power plants and weapons systems.

4. Robotics Engineering: Robotics engineers design and create robots and robotic systems. They're often involved in industries like agriculture, manufacturing, health care, and entertainment.

5. Systems Engineering: This field blends engineering, systems thinking, and management topics and might appeal to you if you're interested in an interdisciplinary approach.

6. Agricultural/Bioresource Engineering: Involves the design and improvement of farming equipment and machinery, farming structures, water quality and management, and processing and storage of agricultural products.

Remember, these are just a few examples. Engineering is an expansive field, and most universities offer a range of specialized engineering majors or allow students to craft their own engineering focus. You might want to speak with college advisors or professionals in your field of interest to gather more information.

For example, you might consider pursuing a summer program in engineering. CollegeVine's blog contains a list of reputable ones for high schoolers: https://blog.collegevine.com/high-school-engineering-summer-programs/. Many of them will allow you to explore a range of engineering fields, including non-traditional ones, as well as network with current engineering professionals and educators who can give you advice on which path could be right for you.

In addition to helping you refine your interests, participating in a summer program could even give you a boost during the college process, as admissions officers love to see that you're taking initiative and exploring your interests outside of the classroom! Good luck with your future endeavors in engineering!