Get a jump start on what you want do in college or test your interest before you get there by taking a class in engineering! Explore the different focus areas and opportunities. 

Take a class in engineering.

Becoming a certified professional engineer signals to clients that you are trustworthy and to employers that you are capable of higher responsibility. Take your engineering career to the next level and get certified!

Get certified as a professional engineer (PE). 

Prepare to take on that leadership role by gaining valuable management tools and techniques that help improve processes within an organization.

Get Lean Six Sigma certified.

Learn more about light refraction by conducting this laser experiment with items you likely have at home. Is this something you're interesting in pursuing further?

Conduct your own laser experiment.

Try 3D design with a tool you can use in your browser, then 3D print or laser cut what you make! If you like the process, look into classes or tutorials for computer-aided drawing (CAD) programs.

Get started with 3D design.

Technical drawing knowledge will help you in any career that involves projects that exist in three-dimensional space. Check out these tips to improve your skills. 

Stretch your technical drawing skills.

Explore articles about the most recent innovations in photonics and optics. Are you interested in contributing to this research?

Stay up-to-date on photonics technology.

Get a glimpse into what a typical day might look like for a laser systems technician. Is this a career you're interested in?

Learn about a day in the life of a laser systems technician.

Photonics Technicians

Build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment.

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Realistic

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Investigative

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Conventional

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Artistic

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Enterprising

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Social

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters

Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other

Architecture and Engineering Occupations

Drafters, Engineering Technicians, and Mapping Technicians

Maintain clean working environments, according to clean room standards.

Adjust or maintain equipment, such as lasers, laser systems, microscopes, oscilloscopes, pulse generators, power meters, beam analyzers, or energy measurement devices.

Set up or operate assembly or processing equipment, such as lasers, cameras, die bonders, wire bonders, dispensers, reflow ovens, soldering irons, die shears, wire pull testers, temperature or humidity chambers, or optical spectrum analyzers.

Document procedures, such as calibration of optical or fiber optic equipment.

Perform diagnostic analyses of processing steps, using analytical or metrological tools, such as microscopy, profilometry, or ellipsometry devices.

Assist engineers in the development of new products, fixtures, tools, or processes.

Mix, pour, or use processing chemicals or gases according to safety standards or established operating procedures.

Assist scientists or engineers in the conduct of photonic experiments.

Assemble fiber optical, optoelectronic, or free-space optics components, subcomponents, assemblies, or subassemblies.

Photonics Technicians

Overview

Career

What Photonics Technicians Do

Other Job Titles Photonics Technicians May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Photonics Technicians

Overview

Career

What Photonics Technicians Do

Other Job Titles Photonics Technicians May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Photonics Technicians

Majors Related to Career

Related Careers

Related Leaders