Why we need engineers who are leaders

When you think of famous engineers, you may not think of people like Henry Ford or Thomas Edison.

Or even Leonardo Da Vinci.

Edison is the most prolific inventor in history – he holds over 1000 patents for his inventions.

Think motion picture camera and projector, the record player and the incandescent lightbulb. And much more.

Ford was an engineer and industrialist who founded the Ford Motor Company.

He also developed assembly and production lines that brought about mass production – resulting in the first car that an average person could afford.

He turned the automobile into a necessity rather than a thing of curiosity.

Da Vinci is mostly known for his artworks, but he was ahead of his time when it came to engineering.

Although few of his ideas were feasible at the time because of the limits in engineering, he conceptualised many inventions from flying machines, like the modern-day helicopter, to concentrated solar power.

All are undisputed engineers, but they were also great leaders and eternal optimists.

Edison famously once said this about one of his projects: "I've not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."

Students working on a robotic dog at Edith Cowan University's School of Engineering.

Why become an engineer?

At this time in human history, we're facing many challenges.

The greatest of these is climate change or global warming.

Not only do we need to develop better sources of energy than those using hydrocarbons, but we need to find ways for people to survive in already precarious parts of the world.

If ever we needed leaders with engineering qualifications who are problem solvers, it's now.

The field of engineering is wider than you may realise.

You can follow traditional paths like civil, electrical or mechanical engineering.

Or jump into more contemporary studies that include renewable energy, environmental sustainability or robotics.

You can also double up an engineering degree with a commerce degree or even a law degree to open more career or business opportunities.

Perhaps best of all, your qualification can take you anywhere in the world to work on life-changing projects.

Where do you start your engineering degree?

Obviously, many universities around the world offer engineering studies.

But if you're a high achieving Western Australian student who aspires to do great things, you might want to check out Edith Cowan University's Engineering courses.

ECU is rated one of the best in Australia for the quality of its teaching and the support it provides students, whatever their background.

The university also recognises that the most sought-after skill by employers world-wide is creative thinking.

It's taught across all ECU courses, and you can expect to really sharpen your skills with an engineering degree.

That includes working with industry standard facilities, so you'll graduate with valuable hands-on experience.

And a professional work placement of up to 12 weeks is also a key part of your learning.

In this short article, ECU engineering student Kaidyn McLennan talks about his first semester experience and how it helped him decide his future engineering field.

First year engineering student Kaidyn McLennan at Edith Cowan University.

A scholarship that's the icing on the cake

If you excel academically, display leadership and are considered a great role model for students and others in your community, things get exciting.

You could be a candidate for ECU's Executive Dean Elite Engineering Scholarship.

The scholarship covers:

• 100% of your course fees for the duration of your selected engineering degree course
• one-on-one mentoring by the Executive Dean himself, including career guidance and advice
• opportunities for mentorship by experienced professional engineers, providing you with valuable insights, knowledge and expertise

You can learn more about the scholarship by watching this short video.

It's the icing on the cake for a ready-to-lead new engineer. Could that be you?