Top robotics trends for engineering students in 2021

If you want to earn your degree in robotics engineering, then you’ll need to take a close look at the direction of the industry’s growth and choose a specialization.

A general skillset can qualify you for a number of internships and entry-level positions, but to really grow your career, you’ll need to find a particular niche you are passionate about.

Luckily, that’s easy with the rapid expansion of robotics and its widespread integrations throughout society.

The Cost of a Robotics Degree
Most students who study robotics could graduate with up to six figures in student debt. It’s easy for this to happen when you choose a top-ranked or Ivy League school that charges nearly $100,000 per year for tuition alone.

Throw in a master’s degree, which is a common path for robotics students, and you could be a quarter of a million dollars in debt within a decade. So, you’re likely to face a hefty debt after you have a degree in-hand, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start finding ways to cover the cost to ease the financial burden.

In addition to choosing a specialization that qualifies you for higher paying jobs immediately upon graduating, you can also look into private student loans for engineering students to cover the cost of education now.

Being able to reduce the pressures of education debt now, you can focus on your studies. Options online are flexible and easy to compare, and you’ll have an idea of how much you’ll need to pay upon graduation when the repayment begins, if you want to start planning in advance.

Human-Robot Collaboration
As AI, machine-learning and robotics continue to become more intertwined, the industry will need professionals who can seamlessly integrate the two into future technology. From medical training robots to manufacturing and industrial machines, it will be imperative that they are able to work well alongside their human counterparts.

A major concern in technology is that robots will phase out human workers, leaving those jobless and unable to support themselves in a machine-driven world. While there are certainly some fields where this may present a concern, the more likely scenario is that machines will be built to complement, rather than replace live workers.

Localization and Navigation
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in billions in growth for the home food delivery industry, which means GPS technology and even delivery bots will become even more profitable in the future. If smaller operations aren’t for you, there’s always considerations for bigger industries like aviation.

3D Printing
From the automotive industry, to medicine and beyond, 3D printing will continue to become one of the most in-demand skills among engineering students in 2021. If you’re looking for a diverse field with plenty of work opportunities, you’ll enjoy the variety of options if you have the right skill set.

In order to succeed in 3D printing, you’ll need to be proficient in research and development, motor systems, sensors and controls. Building up skills while you’re in college will help you land a position as a manufacturing or designer engineer after you graduate.