As job opportunities for highly trained engineers continue to grow, professionals in this field may want to consider updating their skill sets at a campus-based or online college in order to stay competitive. Fortunately, several schools are creating convenient educational options that are intended to help working engineers enhance their qualifications without taking time off from their jobs.

For example, a Mississippi-based school recently announced the launch of an online college degree program that will benefit engineers and technical staff members who currently work in the polymer composites industry, Composites World reports.

The graduate program in polymer science engineering, which will begin this fall, will feature a science-based curriculum that focuses on composites engineering.

Similar programs could prepare students for highly coveted positions at some of the world's top engineering companies, such as Boeing, Northrop Grumman, ATK, GE Aviation, AFOSR and ONR, according to the news source. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that job opportunities for materials engineers are expected to increase by 9 percent over the next eight years.