Studying Engineering Management

Engineering projects come in all shapes and sizes; these can range from introducing new IT or telecommunication systems to a new rail line to construction of a dam. Regardless of the precise nature of these projects, all need a multidisciplinary team of specialists—engineers, architects, health and safety professionals, lawyers, financers and mobilisation of resources and machinery.

To ensure projects run smoothly, engineering firms need engineering management professionals. These professionals coordinate with various stakeholders (clients, government, suppliers), teams of specialists, and make sure that projects are completed on time and within budget.

Australian universities deliver well-organised, industry-relevant programmes that are valued by employers. In fact, most of the programmes are embedded with a work experience option which involves either undertaking a work placement or completing a suitable project at an external organisation or company.

Most of Australia’s 37 universities offer programmes in engineering management.

Some of the universities where you could study are:

• Queensland University of Technology
• La Trobe University
• Western Sydney University
• RMIT University
• Southern Cross University

Salary and Career Prospects

Engineering management professionals are predominantly hired by IT and tech (Microsoft, Apple), and engineering companies (AECOM, AMEC). Some projects could involve work with retail and hospitality (Marriott, Woolworth), banksand financial (ANZ, Commonwealth) and pharmaceutical companies (Johnson & Johnson) and the government.

Some of the roles graduates take up are: Engineering Manager, Asset and Engineering Manager, Engineering, Project Engineering Manager and Maintenance Manager.

Salaries vary depending on qualifications, job role, location and experience. As a guide, project management professionals earn around an average of $130,000 a year (89.18 lakhs INR).

Why Study in Australia?

Australia has cemented its place as one of the best study destinations for international students. There are 37 universities in Australia; with 7 featuring in top 100 and 15 in top 250 in QS World Rankings 2019.

Tourism, financial services, education, mining and agriculture are the largest sectors in Australia. Prominent IT and technology companies like Google, Microsoft, Apple, in addition to home-grown brands like Atlassian, Gridware, Aconex operate in Australia. Cities of Melbourne and Sydney have a thriving start-up and innovation landscape.

Australians enjoy year-round good weather, high salaries, access to spectacular beaches and a healthy work-life balance. The country is vast and beautiful and has something to offer for everybody, be that opera, music concerts, films, outdoor activities or beaches and surfing.

International graduates are typically offered post-study work visas of up to 3 years upon graduation.