Acoustical engineers collaborate with architects and civil engineers to create structures that reduce unwanted noise while enhancing pleasant sounds. Noise-canceling walls, highway barriers, airports, and commercial buildings all benefit from the expertise of many experts. Others provide advice to architects and designers of concert halls, opera houses, and other similar structures. A person who wants to work as an acoustical engineer usually needs to get a master’s degree and work as an apprentice or assistant for several years. An acoustical engineer can work for a construction company, a government agency, or a private consulting firm after gaining experience and passing the required certification exam.
The majority of future acoustical engineers choose to study engineering, mathematics, architecture, or physics in four-year bachelor’s degree programs. As an undergraduate, you can learn about the fundamentals of sound, such as how waves are generated, dispersed, and controlled. Students in architecture and engineering courses gain practical experience using blueprints, computer-aided drafting software, and simulators. A student can begin applying to accredited graduate schools near the end of a bachelor’s degree program.
Only a few schools specifically offer master’s degrees in acoustical engineering. If an acoustical engineer cannot find a program that meets his or her needs, he or she may be able to specialize in the subject as part of a larger mechanical engineering degree program. A graduate student in engineering frequently has the opportunity to work on real-world projects with knowledgeable instructors and industry professionals. He or she can take a written or computerized regional licensing exam after graduation.
After passing the exam, candidates can apply for entry-level junior engineer jobs at municipal government offices, consulting firms, and construction firms. New engineers typically spend several months in training, learning firsthand from experienced acoustical engineers about company policies and technical procedures. A talented trainee is usually given the opportunity to join a team of junior engineers and work on important, large-scale projects.
The requirements to become an acoustical engineer vary country, but in most cases, professionals must have four years of experience and pass a second licensing exam. With the right credentials, a person can advance their career and become an acoustical engineer supervisor, supervising other employees and conducting independent research. A skilled acoustical engineer usually has a lot of opportunities for advancement and changing careers. Many experts work as consultants at materials engineering plants or return to school to teach part-time or full-time.