You may have heard about robotics numerous times nowadays. The truth is, it’s now one of the most sought-after occupations to date, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projecting that the job market will grow about 9% between 2016 and 2026.
But What Is Robotics?
Essentially, robotics is a notable branch within the STEM – or Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics – field that involves the following:
- Mechanical engineering
- Electrical-electronics engineering, AND
- Computer science
In robotics, the ultimate goal is to build machines that can improve human life and, in hindsight, replace human labor. With that said, robotics has you deal with the following:
- Research
- Manufacturing
- Design
- Software development
- Operations
- Information processing, AND
- Applying robots in many industrial and commercial processes, like:
- Nuclear science
- Space exploration
- Mining
- Ocean-exploration
- Agriculture
- Medicine
- Manufacturing industry
- Home usage
- Military warfare
- Rescue efforts
- Shipwrecks
- Deep-sea vessels, AND
- Other hazardous situations
So, how is robotics faring, when it comes to being a viable occupation?
In this article, we’ll look at the basics (training and skills), possible careers, job duties, and how the job market views this field. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into this essential guide to robotics!
Requirements
Robotics promises much in the field. Though, its two common professions are engineers and technicians. Despite their commonality, they differ in educational levels:
- Robotics engineering training can be acquired through a bachelor’s, a Master’s, and a doctorate degree with limited online courses.
- Robotics technician training comes from an associate’s degree, provided that the student takes and passes a 3-hour exam for certification.
Now, studying either occupations including learning and experimenting with the following:
- Machine automation
- Cybernetics
- Medical robotics
- Quantum mechanical systems
- Air traffic management, AND
- Various other areas that use robots
With that said, various businesses will hire professionals for the following robotics positions:
- Automotive
- Electronics
- Agriculture
- Manufacturing, and so on.
In hindsight, the following are required skills for you to get a career in robotics:
- Analytical Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Creativity
- Mechanical & Numerical Skills
- Attention to detail
Types Of Careers In Robotics
There’s no doubt that robotics involves the design, functions, and maintenance of robots. Given that various businesses (as mentioned in the previous section), that has led to the rise of robotics jobs. In hindsight, robotics has many avenues available for you to join from. All you need to do is find a STEM career that you fancy! For most people, engineering is a suitable place to start.
As you’ll see once you pursue a career in robotics, you’ll need to know many of the branches of engineering to be able to construct a robot:
- Mechanical
- Electrical
- The systems
- Software
- Manufacturing, etc.
The branches described involve all the components of STEM. Despite the many things that you’ll need to learn, the learning process can be a fun thing.
With that mind, let’s dive into the job duties that robotics requires, no matter the occupation or branch that you plan to pursue.
Job Duties Concerning Robotics
In essence, robots are meant to do more of the dangerous and dirty jobs, so that humans can work on more safer tasks. As you can tell, robots are built to help people, no matter the industry, and no matter the scenario. Because robots are useful in many ways than one, a professional must learn to tackle various duties in this field, depending upon the function and application of robotics in their work(s). Let’s look at the possibilities:
- A robotics engineer may be responsible for designing, creating, and testing robots.
- Another robotics engineer may design artificial limbs.
- Another robotics engineer may work with assortments of design software (along with electrical and mechanical equipment) to research various mechanical and robotic technologies.
Essentially, your duties in robotics will involve the following:
- Building, configuring, and testing various robots
- Programming software systems to control robotic systems
- Researching design, operation, and performance of various robotic mechanisms/systems
- Analyzing and evaluating prototypes
- Reading and interpreting robotic schematics
Outlook On Robotics Employment
So, now that you’ve hit the books, and on the road to getting fresh out of your schooling, let’s explore how robotics is faring when it comes to employment. Of course, robotics has grown in popularity over the years, with the market for the field expected to grow 11.92% between 2016 and 2022, thus reaching $79.58 billion (USD) by 2022. Most of the time, you’ll see robotics disciples go on to work in electrical and electronics engineering, depending on the location and specialty that companies want.
Burning Glass Technologies suggests that STEM jobs come with a substantial information technology salary premium. Here’s how it works:
- Entry-level STEM jobs (that require a BA or higher) have an average salary of $66,123; whereas, non-STEM jobs rake in $52,299. This $14,000 difference represents a 26% premium.
- Entry-level STEM jobs (at sub-BA level) have an average salary is $47,856, while non-STEM careers with that same education rake in $37,424 – a $10,000 difference representing a 28% premium.
So, you see, there are prospects educational- and monetary-wise. But still, do your research to get the right degree to put towards your dream job in robotics.
Conclusion
Overall, robotics is growing in both the job market and in the public eye; and it has no plans to go away any time soon. While robots will replace SOME humans, they’ll still expand the economy, increase productivity in companies, and help create better jobs – ones that humans can take care of. As a result, robotics professionals will be on demand in the global job market. It’s expected that in the coming years, more robotics professionals will be needed in the world, regardless of industry, regardless of location, etc.
So, if you have the drive – if you’re willing to put the hours in, learn, and embrace its impact on jobs as a whole – then robotics is definitely for you! Remember these points:
- Understand the educational requirements.
- Learn about the careers, and pick one.
- Understand the various job duties.
- Look at the job market. AND,
… more importantly, have fun with learning and working in robotics!
About the Author
Ashley Halsey is a writer and editor at Assignment help. As a professional writer, she has been involved in many writing projects nationwide. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and traveling with her two children.
