Most people don’t truly realize how an engineering degree can significantly enhance their freelance careers. It’s especially true for freelancers interested in offering services ranging from design and prototyping to technical consultation, as certain engineering degrees open high-paying opportunities to work remotely on projects posted on freelance platforms. Here are a couple of engineering degrees that directly translate to portfolio gold.
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME)
When pitching on a freelance CAD job for an automotive startup, nothing beats Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. It showcases your true expertise and presents you as a suitable candidate. As far as the curriculum goes, the major subjects include:
- Thermodynamics
- Material science
- Fluid mechanics
The course typically takes four years and involves 132 credits, which involve heavy doses of logical thinking and mathematics with subjects like Statics, Heat Transfer, and Design of Machine Elements among others. The practice experiments and projects allow you to develop diverse skills needed for a wide range of freelance assignments. There are three main specializations to choose from:
- Mechanical Systems and design
- Control and Robotic Engineering
- Renewable Energy
In Mechanical Systems and Design, you will get to choose courses like Computer-Aided Mechanical Design and Reliability & Quality control in Engineering, equipping you with skills for drafting 3D models. In addition, you will learn to troubleshoot issues associated with manufacturing consumer gadgets and industrial machinery, which is ideal for many gigs on popular freelance platforms.
Typical jobs include CAD technician or maintenance engineer, although can take up freelance roles in aerospace and nuclear industries and enhance your portfolio with models and simulations. This versatility often helps outperform other degrees in terms of available freelance projects.
Mechanical engineering freelancers can command fees ranging from $50 to $100 per hour as corporations are more inclined towards hiring experts who can quickly solve their engineering problems instead of recruiting a full-time engineer. The downside is that having such a broad background requires you to narrow down your focus soon to get the best opportunities.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering deals with the invisible world, enabling you to understand and control everything behind electricity-based processes, including energy generation and transmission. The basic coursework includes:
- Electromagnetics
- Circuit theory
- Digital systems
- Power electronics
All these courses are often complemented by practical experience through lab experiments in PCB design and signal processing. Unlike the BSME that focuses on the physical side of mechanisms, the degree is entirely about working with electrons and code, allowing you to take freelance projects related to IoT prototypes or automation scripts.
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Electrical engineers can become freelancers because there’s always a demand for urgent assistance in dealing with complex issues related to power and telecommunication systems. For instance, specialization in power electronics can help you bid for and win contracts on projects such as EV charging stations that attract rates of $75 to $120 per hour.
This is a good option considering how desperately companies are searching for remote electrical drafters after the pandemic. However, you should know that you have to keep abreast of the latest developments in electronics, as this technology moves incredibly fast, which suits self-starters, but might overwhelm generalists. Go for this degree if you love building electronic devices and providing consultancy to those dealing with complex systems.
Endnote
Choosing the right engineering degree can truly help you have a competitive edge and win more freelance projects on popular platforms, but take your time to decide. If you’re into physical construction, it’s BSME. If you have a passion for power systems or electronics in general, choose either Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering.
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