The engineering industry is one of the most profitable industries in the world, but many engineers don’t reap the benefits. The skills and training needed are not valued; being an engineer is still seen as set apart from society. But if you’re determined to succeed on your terms, here are eight surprisingly lucrative engineering side hustles that will earn you a better living no matter how long you stick it out in your day job.
Engineering side hustle
If you’re like most people, the idea of making money from an engineering side hustle is far out of your current reach. But don’t worry, plenty of weird engineering side hustles are surprisingly profitable.
One example is designing and manufacturing gaming headsets. Buying cheap gaming headsets on Amazon can cost as little as $20. However, if you can design and manufacture your headset, you can charge quite a bit more. You’ll need to invest in a good microphone and sound card, but other than that, the cost of producing a headset is relatively low.
Another cool engineering side hustle is developing app prototypes. If you have an idea for an app but don’t have the programming or design skills to create it yourself, hiring a developer might be your best option. However, if you have some programming skills and want to try your hand at app development, many free online resources can help you get started.
While many weird engineering side hustles are surprisingly profitable, choosing the right one is important. Please do some research before starting a project to make sure it’s something that you’re passionate about and will be able to devote time and energy to?
Why Engineers Should Side Hustle
Engineers are always looking for new challenges and ways to improve their skills. Side hustling can offer just that. By trying out different projects, engineers can learn new techniques and technologies.
Some of the best side hustles for engineers include app development, data analysis, and product design. All of these areas offer unique opportunities for career growth and skill development.
Additionally, side hustles can be fun and rewarding. Engineers who try out different projects often find that they have a lot of fun working. It adds a component to their careers unrelated to work and makes them more productive in the office.
8 Weird Engineering Side Hustles
Some people love the challenge and thrill of working on complex projects. Others are drawn to the creativity and flexibility of working on unique problems.
Regardless of why you enjoy engineering, there are many side hustles that you can pursue in your free time. Some of these side hustles can be surprisingly profitable.
Here are 8 weird engineering side hustles that you can try:
- Engineering video consultations. If you deeply understand a particular topic, you can offer your expertise as a video consultant. It can be a great way to provide personalized advice to people interested in learning more about a specific topic.
- Engineering proofreading services. As an engineer, you know how to decipher complicated formulas and diagrams. It could be a lucrative side hustle if you can flawlessly correct other people’s writing.
- Debugging services for software development companies. If you have experience debugging software issues, you could offer your services to other development companies. It can help decrease the number of bugs that get into the software products that these companies produce.
- Research new product ideas for startups. As an engineer, you have access to several confidential information about products and technologies. It can be a valuable asset when starting your startup.
- Consulting services for startups. As an engineer, you have a wealth of knowledge and experience that can be put to use by startups. You could provide advice on product development, financial planning, marketing strategies, and more.
- Writing e-books on engineering topics. If you deeply understand a particular subject area, you can write e-books on that topic. It can be a great way to share your knowledge with people interested in learning more about engineering concepts.
- Serving as an expert witness in court cases related to engineering issues. As an experienced engineer, you could provide expert testimony in court cases related to engineering matters. It can give plaintiffs and defendants the confidence that you will provide an accurate portrayal of events during trial proceedings.
- Speaking at tech conferences about engineering topics. As an experienced engineer, you have the knowledge and expertise to speak at tech conferences about various engineering topics. It can promote awareness of the unique benefits of working with technology solutions.
Chasing a Profitable Future
Many dreams of success in their fields, but for some people, a more unconventional pursuit leads to real success. Known as “weird engineering side hustles,” these activities can be highly profitable and offer an interesting perspective on the world.
One example of a weird engineering side hustle is chasing a profitable future in space. Many startups are currently working to exploit the commercial opportunities that are available in space. Numerous companies are hoping to make money from transporting people and goods to and from space, and many more are exploring the potential for mining resources on Mars or other planets.
There is also a booming market for technology that could use in space. Technologies such as 3D printing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning have the potential to revolutionize the way we conduct our businesses in space. By pursuing weird engineering side hustles, talented individuals can find ways to play a role in shaping the future of their field.
Conclusion
Sometimes, the simplest ideas are the best ones. I’ve put together this list of engineering side hustles that can do relatively cheaply without much up-front investment. From building your website to starting your blog and even developing software, these activities can give you some extra cash flow while also helping you learn new skills. So what are you waiting for? Start exploring these quirky but profitable engineering side hustles today!
