6 Cool Science & Tech Jobs You Probably Didn’t Know Existed

For job seekers the perfect position often seems like it takes a backseat to “whatever’s available.” Hunting around and really looking into the industry, and the work environment around you, will often pay off in more ways than just a job. Reading everything is not quite the same reading a list of courses available at your local community college but can also require you to look further. Specialized training improves your sense of self-worth, and will greatly improve the kind of salary you can command when you get your next big break.

Magnachek doesn’t just work with engineers and manufacturers, but below are some of the other professionals we work with in a regular week. Knowing a little bit more about what some of them are doing – and where they’re going – helps us to help them get there. Check out this list of awesome science and tech jobs.

car battery
  • Save

The Battery Technician

The fundamentals of battery technology, hybrid cars and full electric vehicles are more important than ever. With ongoing changes not only in the auto industry, but in the larger energy sector, interest in and demand for electric and hybrid vehicles is booming. Likewise, is demand for people to work on them and to convert older autos to more efficient systems. “Green car conversion” techs and Auto Battery Techs generally need to have an advanced knowledge of motor vehicle technology and an up-to-date knowledge of developments in the fields of batteries and self- or auto-generating vehicle power systems. Battery technicians and specialists are also not going to go away, as the field continues to really take off.

The Environmental Control Technician

Facilities inspection, wastewater analysis, reviewing lab results and providing all kinds of equipment maintenance, today’s Environmental Control Technicians work in all kinds of manufacturing, institutional, and commercial facilities. Most often, their primary role is to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements for waste management and environmental protection. They can have some legal and workplace roles, too. Degrees and coursework tend to focus on environmental science, biology and specializations in geochemistry, hydrology and ecology, though of course familiarity with regulatory compliance is always welcome. Mathematical and statistical analysis are increasingly important too.

robotics robot tech
  • Save

The Robotics Technician

Robotics engineering continues to grow in all kinds of industries and areas of commerce and services. All kinds of technicians are needed to maintain, repair and assemble the army of robots marching into manufacturing facilities and that increasing variety of other settings. Many of these technicians will need advanced programming knowledge and skills in electromechanical engineering along with all kinds of mechanical expertise. Expert service usually starts with a technical background and something like a two-year degree in mechanics or motion programming, conveyor systems, and computer networking and integration. But often enough robotics technicians will move on to other areas in automation and indeed in robotics engineering, mechanics and information technology.

Construction Science

Construction Science professionals are sometimes wrongly thought of as “lite” civil engineers. They’re often involved with every aspect of not only civil, but residential and commercial construction projects, too. Indispensable to architects and engineers, Construction Science professionals are often required to travel to construction science sites and by that time they’ve completed courses in architecture and business as well as in construction, engineering and regulations. They can expect to eventually manage construction projects, and may spend time along the way doing field engineering, and estimating costs. All of these skills can be learned to some extent in the classroom, but most hiring managers are going to want to see lots of on-the-job experience and completed project portfolios.

The Nondestructive Testing Technician

This one is huge and part of a huge field. Although NDT techs can start out with a diploma course and perhaps an apprenticeship, many of them will go on to earn degrees in Engineering or any number of related fields. NDT technicians are trained in a variety of different scientific methods to test the properties of materials, components and systems without causing damage and often while in midst of the process or systems being tested. They’ll often continue training in any of a number of other testing areas and specializations to go on to work in fields like power generation, manufacturing and civil engineering. Although nearly every individual method of nondestructive testing will require some specialized training (and equipment), each of them will also lead technicians into different industries and areas of specialization where such skills are necessary.

The Nuclear Equipment Technician

Don’t think Homer Simpson, please. The nuclear equipment technician monitors and measures the radiation levels at nuclear plants, and sometimes in medical or laboratory settings. A whole array of modern diagnostic imaging equipment requires all kinds of advanced technical training and that’s in addition to the personnel required to staff the nation’s nuclear power generation facilities. Most of these technicians will bear a bachelor’s degree in nuclear power technology or even nuclear engineering. Although a strong background in physics, mathematics, technology, and chemistry is preferred, they’re also trained heavily in safety, compliance and regulatory and control systems.

As you can see, specialized skills and training are required for all these positions. That’s not to say, though, that you can’t learn a lot with some good hands-on experience. But very often the best introduction to your advanced learning and classroom study will still be that very same, hands-on technical training. These are just some of the stand-out positions of the future. For the dedicated technician, in the fields above, or in any across the broader fields of commerce, industry and manufacturing, learning more and acquiring these specialized skills requires just a willingness to learn and a general sense of curiosity.

James Tomon is a writer from the US but working out of Mexico City. James writes about various online industries like marketing, advertising, and engineering.

Can't get enough of Your Life After 25? Keep up with latest posts & events by subscribing to our newsletter, and never miss a thing!

Related Posts

Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap
Find Your Influence