How do my career interests link with this field?
Read the following statements and choose the statements that apply to you. The more statements you choose that apply to you, the higher your interest in this area.
Science, engineering and technology
(main motivation: finding solutions to complex problems)
- designing things
- inventing new things
- knowing how things work
- mathematics
- problem-solving
- sciences (chemistry and physics)
- technology
- working with computers
- working with data
Career fields, possible job titles and work environments
The following is a list of career areas linked to economic and management sciences, together with a description, possible job titles and work environments.
Remember that this information is a start for you to explore options related to specific career fields - you will need to expand your research as you continue with your studies. Download the Career research document to learn more about how you could find information related to your career decision.
Mathematical Sciences
In Mathematical Sciences, the focus is on creating, investigating and analysing mathematical structures in order to solve and understand mathematical problems. The work of the mathematician can be divided into two broad categories: Theoretical Mathematics ,Applied Mathematics and Astronomy.
Related job titles
- Data analyst
- Actuary
- Derivatives trader
- Business intelligence developer
- Process analyst
- Financial analyst
Possible work environments related to applied mathematics and mathematics
- Banking industry
- Higher education institutions (public and private universities, universities of technology & colleges)
- Insurance and investment companies
- Market research organisations
- Medical research institutes
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Public sector (eg StatsSA)
- Schools
- Self-employed (as a consultant)
Find out more about careers in this field
Chemical engineering
A person considering a career in the field of Engineering, should have the following qualities: an aptitude for mathematics and sciences who also enjoys working with people, an analytical mind, a problem solver, likes to take on challenges, a good decision maker, enjoys exploring possible improvements to existing systems coupled with the ability for creative and practical work.
Chemical Engineering is mainly concerned with industrial processes for the conversion of raw materials into products with a higher economic or social value through physical and chemical changes.
Related job titles
- Pulp and paper technologist
- Chemical engineering technologist/technician
Find out more about careers in this field
Chemistry
In Chemistry we study the composition, structure, properties and change of matter. The focus is on the following branches: analytical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, environmental chemistry and polymer chemistry.
Possible job titles related to chemistry
- Chemist
- Forensic analyst
- Environmental chemist
- Water Treatment consultant/chemist
- Analytical chemist
- Laboratory analyst or technician
- Researcher
- Teacher
- Quality Control chemist/officer
- Scientific equipment sales consultant
Possible work environments related to chemistry
- Government (research and development, quality, law enforcement, environment and health)
- Higher education institutions (public and private universities, universities of technology & colleges)
- Industry (research and development, quality control, manufacturing, sales/ marketing)
- Own employment
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Civil engineering
Civil Engineering prepares graduates to perform one or more of the following duties: planning, investigations, design, detailing, analysis, bill of quantities, cost estimates, specifications, tender documentation, project management, work inspections, testing of materials and payment certificates.
Related job titles
- Civil engineering technician
- Production engineering technologist
- Environmental impact and restoration analyst
Possible work environments related to civil engineering
- Construction
- Design engineering
- Environmental engineering
- International development organisations
- Occupational health and safety
- Public service (local or provincial government)
- Steel and mining industries
- Structural engineering
- Water resources engineering
- Urban and regional planning
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Computer and information systems
A subject in computing is all about computer systems, networks, software and information storage, processing, and distribution. The IT sector and careers related to this field can be found in all industries. The vision of the school is to serve students and community through excellent Open Distance Learning programmes, by conducting relevant and effective research and community engagement projects.
Related job titles
- System designer
- system developer
- ICT risk specialist
- Database architect
- Database developer
- Database administrator
- Programmer analyst
- Network analyst
- Software developer
- Data scientist
- Information security specialist
- Business systems analyst
- Business intelligence analyst
- IT service manager
- ICT support specialist
- ICT manager
Possible work environments related to computer and information systems
- Any organisation using computer systems and networks
- Computer manufacturers
- Government departments
- Higher education institutions (public and private universities, universities of technology & colleges)
- Self-employed as contractor and consultant
- Software development companies
Find out more about careers in this field
- Download the IT @ Unisa brochure to learn more about preparing yourself for career opportunities in this field.
- Career Guide (Media, Information and Communication Technologies SETA)
- Download the Career research document to learn more about how you could find information related to your career and study choices.
Electrical engineering
Electrical Engineering and Electronic are exciting and dynamic fields. Electrical engineers and technologists are responsible for generation, transfer and conversion of electrical power, while electronic engineers and technologists are concerned with the transfer of information using radio waves, the design of electronic circuits, the design of computer systems and the development of control systems such as aircrafts autopilots.
Related job titles
- Electrical engineering technician/technologist
- Electronic technician/technologist
- Energy efficiency Manager/technician
- Telecommunication manager/technician/technologist
Possible work environments related to electrical engineering
- Fire alarm systems
- Lighting design and control, including both interior and exterior lighting
- Lighting protection
- Power conditioning and uninterruptible power supply
- Power distribution - both primary and secondary distribution
- Power generation, including co-generation and standby systems
- Programmable controllers
- Renewable energy systems
- Security and surveillance
- Telecommunications
Find out more about careers in this field
Industrial engineering
Industrial Engineering is all about the design, improvement, and installation of integrated systems of people, materials, information, equipment and energy.
Related job titles
- Industrial engineering technician
- Process technician
- Process technologist
- Industrial engineering technologist
Possible work environments related to industrial engineering
- Aerospace
- Aluminium and steel
- Banking
- Construction
- Consulting
- Education
- Electronics assembly
- Energy
- Forestry and logging
- Government
- Insurance
- Materials testing
- Medical services
- Military
- Mining
- Oil, coal and gas
- Plastics and forming
- Retail
- Shipbuilding
- Transportation
Find out more about careers in this field
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical Engineering is concerned with the design, development, installation, operation and maintenance of just about anything that has movable parts. It involves the production, transmission, and use of mechanical power.
Related job titles
- Mechanical engineering technician/ technologist
- Aeronautical engineering technician/ technologist
- Mechanical designer
- Factory technician/technologist/manager
- Production technician/technologist/manager
- Workshop manager
- Parts technician/technologist
- Service and/or maintenance technician/technologist
- Sales technologist/manager
- Boiler maker
- Hydraulics technician/technologist
Possible work environments related to mechanical engineering
- Acoustics
- Agriculture
- Automotive industry
- Aviation and aircraft management
- Biomedical industry
- Biotechnology
- Computers and electronics
- Consulting
- Education
- Energy conversion
- Government
- Mechatronics
- Mining industry
- Organisations such as the CSIR, Eskom, NECSA, AECI, Sasol, Genmin, JCI, MINTEK, SABS
- Rail transportation
- Renewable resources and environmental sustainability
- Research and development
- Robotics
- Sound engineering
- Textile industry
Find out more about careers in this field
Mining engineering
Mining Engineering includes aspects of geological, civil, mechanical and material engineering. Experts in the field of Mining engineering are in charge of planning, designing, organizing and supervising the development of mines and much of the related facilities, equipment and infrastructure.
Related job titles
- Mining engineering technician/technologist
- Rock engineering technician
- Mine ventilation technician/technologist
- Rock blasting technician/technologist
- Mine manager
- Mine overseer
- Junior/Senior Mine Surveyor
- Mine operator
Possible work environments related to mining engineering
- Business management (mine manager, director, chief operating officer, chief executive officer, president)
- Education
- Government (mine inspector, health and safety, environment)
- Mining industry
- Occupational health and safety organisations
- Petroleum and gas industry
- Research and consulting
- Waste management
Find out more about careers in this field
Physics
Physics is mainly concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy. The subject matter of physics includes heat, light and other radiation, sound, electricity, magnetism, and the structure of atoms. Physics expertise is used in education, automotive industries, industry, healthcare, energy, materials, technology, and computing.
Related job titles
Product developer, Physicist, Laboratory analyst, Science researcher, Educator, Programmer.
Possible work environments related to physics
- Green jobs
- Higher education institutions (public and private universities, universities of technology & colleges)
- Research institutions such as the National Research Foundation, South African Astronomical Observatory, National Accelerator Centre, South African Institute of Physics, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, and Schonland Research Centre for Nuclear Sciences
Find out more about careers in this field
- Download the Physics @ Unisa brochure to learn more about preparing yourself for career opportunities in this field.
- Physics careers (South African Institute of Physics)
- Download the Career research document to learn more about how you could find information related to your career and study choices.
Statistics
Statistics is concerned with designing experiments and other data collection, summarising information to aid understanding, drawing conclusions from data and estimating the present or predicting the future.
Related job titles
- Statistician
- Data analyst
- Risk analyst
- Actuary
- Quality analyst
- Project manager
- Investigator
Possible work environments related to statistics
- Banking industry
- Business analyst
- Higher education institutions (public and private universities, universities of technology & colleges)
- Insurance and investment companies
- Market research organisations
- Medical research institutes
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Public sector (eg StatsSA)
- Schools
- Self-employment (as a consultant)
Find out more about careers in this field
Further career information
NB: A person considering a career in the field of Engineering, should have the following qualities: an aptitude for mathematics and sciences who also enjoys working with people, an analytical mind, a problem solver, likes to take on challenges, a good decision maker, enjoys exploring possible improvements to existing systems coupled with the ability for creative and practical work.