Education and training requirements for Engineering and natural sciences managersStrong technical knowledge is essential for engineering and natural sciences managers, who must understand and guide the work of their subordinates and explain the work in nontechnical terms to senior management and potential customers. Therefore, these management positions usually require work experience and formal education similar to those of engineers, scientists, or mathematicians. Most engineering managers begin their careers as engineers, after completing a bachelor�s degree in the field. To advance to higher level positions, engineers generally must assume management responsibility. To fill management positions, employers seek engineers who possess administrative and communications skills in addition to technical knowledge in their specialty. Many engineers gain these skills by obtaining a master�s degree in engineering management or a master�s degree in business administration (MBA). Employers often pay for such training. In large firms, some courses required in these degree programs may be offered on site. Engineers who prefer to manage in technical areas should get a master�s degree in engineering management, while those interested in nontechnical management should get an MBA. Many science managers begin their careers as scientists, such as chemists, biologists, geologists, or mathematicians. Most scientists or mathematicians engaged in basic research have a Ph.D.; some in applied research and other activities may have a bachelor�s or master�s degree. Science managers must be specialists in the work they supervise. In addition, employers prefer managers with good communication and administrative skills. Graduate programs allow scientists to augment their undergraduate training with instruction in other fields, such as management or computer technology. Given the rapid pace of scientific developments, science managers must continuously upgrade their knowledge. Engineering and natural sciences managers may advance to progressively higher leadership positions within their discipline. Some may become managers in nontechnical areas such as marketing, human resources, or sales. In high technology firms, managers in nontechnical areas often must possess the same specialized knowledge as do managers in technical areas. For example, employers in an engineering firm may prefer to hire experienced engineers as sales workers because the complex services offered by the firm can be marketed only by someone with specialized engineering knowledge. Such sales workers could eventually advance to jobs as sales managers. More information on Engineering and natural sciences managers from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook Overview of Engineering and natural sciences managers occupation Number of Engineering and natural sciences managers in the U.S. Salary and earnings for Engineering and natural sciences managers Working conditions for Engineering and natural sciences managers Significant points for Engineering and natural sciences managers Training requirements for Engineering and natural sciences managers Labor Information Home | Occupational data by city | Search Rainforests | Madagascar | What's new |