Choosing a particular field of engineering can often be very difficult for the undergraduate engineering student. A field particularly interesting to me is the development of network devices and the transmission of information between networks. Whether it is designing faster and more efficient modem circuits or researching for better transmission of signals between Earth and satellites, this field would be both challenging and exciting. The Internet is one of the best examples of how this field has impacted society. Enormous amounts of information are now accessible to anyone, anywhere. From network interface card design to on-demand Internet processing, I believe the world of networking has endless opportunities for engineers to get involved and make it better.
Networking technology has become a necessity for affairs in government agencies, international corporations, banks, and the life of common citizens. This field has exploded over the last ten years. The need for better servers, faster signal transmission such as in fiber-optics, and secure online commerce are only a few examples which lead to various engineering opportunities. I think the impacts of this career would directly affect society, and its advances have already influenced the way we live our lives. People are electronically withdrawing and transferring money in their accounts, balancing their checkbooks online, shopping for groceries, and even ordering pizzas! Companies have cut costs on paper usage while helping to conserve trees. The government has sped up the tax process and cut costs for taxpayers by avoiding paper and allowing electronic tax filing. These are only a few examples of the direct impact this engineering field has had on society.
The information that is so easily accessible to anyone has put us in closer touch with people around the world. It is easier to communicate and exchange ideas. This may also allow people to become more open-minded to new ideas and different cultures. Another aspect will be the change that this technology will bring in the home. Families are already using this technology to communicate with distant relatives via email, online chat, or internet telephones. Families save on long distances calls, paper, and stamps. Of course, electronic communication is instantaneous compared to sending a form or letter through the postal system. Also, the information superhighway continues to enhance learning in the classroom. Students of all ages are able to research any topic and consult with other students who may be halfway around the world. The Internet is a wonderful source for teachers who may give homework assignments via the web and list hyperlinks to various online sources that have additional information. None of this would be possible without network technology and the many engineers who build it. quality of current applications, but they are also making it possible for engineers to do more than ever imaginable.
The future holds endless opportunities for this engineering field. I believe technology is advancing so rapidly that electronic communication will play a role in everything that we do. People will be able to listen to any radio station in the world, watch any movie with the click of a button, remotely control lights, air conditioning, and heating in homes and automobiles. Schools will depend on digital equipment to create worldwide classrooms. Students will be able to perform live interviews, visit distant cities through on-demand video, and experience cultural traditions with natives of any country. Previews of these kinds of applications are already