Today’s world is filled with uncertainty, and the ways in which we interact with one another have changed drastically. With many new obstacles facing society today, new and innovative systems are being envisioned and developed to meet our rapidly changing needs.
From education to health care, unemployment to disrupted supply chains, no one seems to be spared from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. With new challenges arising every day, we are in need of talented and highly-qualified individuals who possess the knowledge and determination to overcome some of the most pressing concerns facing society — especially in the field of engineering.
How a graduate engineering degree can combat the impacts of COVID-19
As the basic infrastructure of daily life changes, we need skilled engineers who can help solve the problems our word is facing. Engineers help design and improve the systems that society relies on — such as infrastructure, agriculture, sustainability, transportation, security systems and medicine.
Engineering — the application of technology and science to the most efficient use of the world’s natural resources for the betterment of humankind.
Here are several ways engineers are helping combat the negative impacts of COVID-19.
Pro Tip: Discover how engineers create solutions in our comprehensive resource, "Reward Your Ambition — A Guide to Achieving a Graduate Engineering Degree."
1. Tackling environmental concerns
As food supply chains struggle against changes in demand and labor shortages, new systems of sustainable agriculture are critical to ensuring adequate access to basic necessities. Environmental engineers study all aspects of the natural environment to develop solutions to problems facing the consumption of natural resources.
By studying climate change, pollution and soil depletion, environmental engineers are able to design and implement strategies that promote both public health and environmental sustainability.
2. Discovering and manufacturing better products
With so many unknowns facing us today, there is an ardent need for better cleaning products and safer personal care items.
Responsible for discovering and manufacturing products that will improve the environment and people’s health, chemical engineers are needed to produce many of the useful products that so many industries rely on.
3. Accelerating technology across industries
As we adjust to a more remote world, our reliance on technology and the digital systems that connect us increases more and more every day. The field of cyber-physical systems engineering allows us to imagine, create, develop, refine and perpetuate smart systems in fields that result in the betterment of industries, communities and individuals.
In fact, the benefits of cyber-physical systems extend far beyond the field of engineering and technology — impacting industries like health care, smart transportation, disaster response and manufacturing.
4. Supporting the well-being of a society
The onset of the global pandemic has not only been disruptive, but it has also threatened critical systems, devices and processes that support the social and economic well-being of society.
Individuals working in the unique field of risk, reliability and resilience engineering are responsible for making informed decisions that properly account for uncertainty and risk in order to enhance quality, efficiency, safety and security.
5. Advancing medical-related technologies
The public health crisis resulting from the spread of COVID-19 has put immense pressure on our health care system and medical professionals. The race to create and implement better ways of treating and preventing this deadly disease has become a grueling task for many.
Biomedical engineers work diligently to develop better machines, technologies and devices, all with the goal of improving the health and quality of life for others, both now and in the future.
6. Improving infrastructure systems
As society changes, our needs change. Patterns of transportation have shifted now that many people are working from home and more people than ever are ordering everyday items online.
Civil engineers are responsible for designing and building the infrastructure systems that make up our world. Taking into account the physical repercussions of the pandemic, civil engineers focus on building better systems to support our new way of life.
Discover the benefits of earning a master’s degree in engineering today
Especially in a time of uncertainty, we need skilled engineers with the knowledge and passion to develop meaningful solutions to pressing problems.
Earning a master’s degree in engineering can lead you toward a successful and worthwhile career. Obtaining an engineering graduate degree not only helps create opportunities for career advancement, but also offers you a greater level of job security while allowing you to begin making an impact on your community immediately.
Reach your highest potential at Vanderbilt University School of Engineering with an engineering graduate degree
There are many valuable reasons to choose Vanderbilt University School of Engineering for graduate school — expert faculty, paid internship opportunities, small class sizes and so much more, but we are especially proud of our commitment to positively impacting the world around us.
Fueled by a dedication to academic excellence, the tight-knit Vanderbilt engineering community impacts the Nashville community, the state of Tennessee, the United States and the global community through our world-class research and outreach initiatives.
If you are passionate about the work that engineers are doing in order to improve the lives of others, we encourage you to reach out to the engineering experts at our School of Engineering by requesting more information and exploring our engineering graduate programs. By doing so, you will receive a variety of helpful resources all related to achieving a master’s degree in engineering.
In closing, if you are ready to take the next step and reward your spirit of innovation by obtaining a master of engineering at Vanderbilt University, we invite you to start your online application.
Discover your options for transforming the field of engineering with a master’s degree in engineering. Download Vanderbilt University's master of engineering guide to learn more.
