Artificial intelligence (AI) has left no stone unturned and has tapped into every possible field these days. And out of all of them, robotics is by far the most widely celebrated. Although in today’s digital age it is pretty well established that technology can achieve just about anything, robotics continues to impress. The news of AI and robotics may certainly no longer be new, but the idea of pursuing a career in it certainly is. Robotics has transformed the way in which science is applied in a variety of different industries, and the unmatched skillset required to build a successful career in this industry has a massive amount of work at the back end, including relevant core degree qualifications and plenty of hands-on experience.
Robotics is the branch of science that forms a conglomerate of mechanical, electronics and computer science engineering. It’s an interdisciplinary field, dealing with the construction and operation of robots, along with monitoring their application. The final goal of this field is to produce robots that are intelligent enough to replace humans via their functionality, without any lapse. So, you’ve decided that a career in robotics is the right route for you – read on to learn more.
#1. Relevant Subjects:
If you’re interested in a career in robotics and are about to apply to college, then it’s important to keep this in mind when choosing your subject. There are certainly some subjects that absolutely must be in the curriculum in order for an individual to be in a position to pursue a career in robotics. At the masters level, an engineering based program such as this electrical and computer engineering degree is an ideal choice, and for those heading to university for the first time, a major in a technology, engineering, or science-based field is usually preferred.
Other subjects should also be integrated into your studies; math, for example, is crucial for developing a keen understanding of the concepts used in the programming section of building a robot – making a degree in computer science engineering an ideal option. Concepts from electronic engineering are used in the development of sensors and chipsets in the robots. A solid understanding of physics can also help you pursue a successful career in robotics; providing the basic knowledge of electrical circuits and mechanics that is required. And finally, a large chunk of developing a robot includes designing it, therefore adding some relevant design classes to your studies is a wise choice.
#2. Which Career?
In the field of robotics, there are two key positions that you may hope to obtain; robotics engineers and robotics technicians. The education mentioned above will be adequate for both, but there are some differences between each position that it’s important to be aware of.
Robotics engineer positions demand a bachelor’s degree, while if you want to get into the industry at a lower point and a faster rate, you can become a robotics technician with a two-year associates degree. However, regardless of the position you wish to pursue, it’s important to bear in mind that a college degree alone is usually not enough to allow you to excel in this field. It is an industry which demands hands-on experience, which many entry-level professionals have gained from entering robotics competitions and enrolling on additional, hands-on courses of study which can give them an edge over fellow applicants.
If you’re not sure where to get started, NASA Career Corner is a great point. It provides career advice to aspiring robotics professionals, and can offer help and guidance when it comes to gaining the relevant understanding in order to choose between various sub-branches of the robotics industry. If you’re just starting out, it’s also worth investing in starter robot kits, such as Lego Mindstorms, which can help you get a feel for the industry and the work that you’re going to be doing before you move on to something more concrete.
#3. Robotics and Business:
Today, robotics professionals find that they are needed in a huge range of different industries. Thanks to evolving modern technologies and increasing demand, robotics has been able to find a place in a plethora of different industries around the world. Some of the most vital include agriculture, electronics, manufacturing and automation industries, but the need for robotics is growing, so there will always be a new industry that you can gain experience in – many industries today will employ robotics professionals for on-the-job training. And of course, don’t forget that you can always apply for coveted jobs at NASA and ISRO.
#4. Why Choose Robotics?
Robotics is certainly a very interesting career for those who are interested in the field of science and engineering, and want to pave the way for making a massive difference to the modern world and how technology is applied in many aspects of our lives today and in the future. For many people who choose this field, there needs to be something very intriguing and fascinating, rather than a simple interest or curiosity.
For those who want to pursue a career as an engineer but would prefer something different to the traditional fields, robotics is an ideal choice. The challenges that working in this industry present demand the ability to constantly think on your feet and be creative and innovative, which can seem like a very exciting and intriguing prospect for some.
And, thanks to the interdisciplinary nature of the robotics field, it can also open several doors of opportunity to those who decide to pursue a career in it. Along with becoming a robotics scientist or engineer, there are many other career options available including data science, robotics design and more when you have acquired a skill set relevant to the world of robotics.
Robotics is a very intriguing career choice – it is a vast, complex field that can often be full of curiosity, wonder, and the ability to learn new things and be at the forefront of projects set to change the way the modern world works. Those who choose a career in this field find that it continues to surprise them.
2018 ·