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Mechanical Engineers!
Hi, please share any experiences about being one in the field for future M.E?
It would be greatly appreciated.
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5 answers
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Johan,
Mechanical Engineering is a very broad field and always in demand. Most if not all industries would have ME involved at some point, either on the product side or in the machinery that makes the product. You might deal with very large structures e.g. in the aerospace or marine industries or with very small structures when you study materials at the atomic level. You might work in robotics or in fluid dynamics. Or maybe you'll do computer simulations. You typically specialize in one or more areas.
I leave some links for you to explore further at the bottom. You can even watch some free online courses from MIT.
Good luck! You got this!
KP
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/mechanical-engineering-specialization
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/mechanical-engineering-career-guide
https://meche.mit.edu/education/undergraduate
https://www.edx.org/school/mitx
https://edurank.org/engineering/mechanical/my/
Mechanical Engineering is a very broad field and always in demand. Most if not all industries would have ME involved at some point, either on the product side or in the machinery that makes the product. You might deal with very large structures e.g. in the aerospace or marine industries or with very small structures when you study materials at the atomic level. You might work in robotics or in fluid dynamics. Or maybe you'll do computer simulations. You typically specialize in one or more areas.
I leave some links for you to explore further at the bottom. You can even watch some free online courses from MIT.
Good luck! You got this!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Stephen’s Answer
Hello!
Background on Me:
I am a Mechanical Engineer in the US and have worked in the field for around 15 years now. I got a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, did an internship and was able to start my career from there. As most people will tell you, M.E. is a very broad and varied field so to show some concrete examples of that, below is a list of industries/products I have worked on.
- Semiconductor industry, investigating and testing properties of solder used to attach components to circuit boards.
- Aerospace, building/sewing and testing high temperature fabrics for spacecraft
- Aerospace, designing bushings for planes and helicopters as well as designing the tooling to install the bushings
- Automotive, working on battery cooling systems for electric vehicles. Liquid cooling so working with valves, tubing and connectors.
- Consumer goods, water treatment and pool products for people's homes. Pumps, heaters, filters and pool lights.
Key Skills and Experience:
In all these jobs my career has been supported greatly by CAD skills, and general problem solving and has included fluid dynamics, material science, statistics, and heat transfer, among other things. The other major skill that I personally feel has helped my career (and my overall happiness) is hands on building skills. Definitely not critical to every M.E. job but if it is something you enjoy, definitely try and keep those skills sharp as they can help you down the road. In almost all my jobs there was a shop on site and being an engineer that could design something and then bring it to life, instead of relying on a technician or a third party machine shop, has helped me a lot in my career. As with most careers, being able to work with others is critical to success. Especially with engineering, keeping your pride to a minimum and listening to other people ideas, even if they aren't engineers, is critical to finding the best solution and being a good colleague.
A Day in The Life:
Right now I work on the manufacturing side of the industry designing assembly lines and assembly procedures. So a normal day for me is working closely with the M.E.'s and other professionals (mostly electrical engineers and computer scientists) that are designing a new product. I meet with them to discuss the changes they are making to the design and how that may effect the assembly line. Ex. If they are adding in a component to support a new feature, that could have a huge effect on the assembly line. Does the new part need to be screwed in place? What size driver do I need and what torque does it need to reach? Is the part heavy? Do I need a lift or crane to help operators place the part into the assembly? Is the part safety critical? Do I need to design an on-line test or add a sensor to ensure this part is assembled properly? Those are examples of challenges that may pop up and need to be solved each day. Other activities in a normal day might be 3D printing a prototype of a fixture to test it out and see how it fits on the assembly line. Or I may be working with a third party supplier to ensure they are getting us what we need. Ex. If we need a leak test done on a pump product, we will buy a leak test device from a supplier and work to integrate it into our assembly line. I would work with that supplier and make sure the device they provide will work on our line. Make sure the physical size will fit but also the thread sizes match up with our product and that the device and complete the leak test FAST enough for our line. Speed is always critical in manufacturing.
I hope some of that is helpful! Good Luck!
Background on Me:
I am a Mechanical Engineer in the US and have worked in the field for around 15 years now. I got a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, did an internship and was able to start my career from there. As most people will tell you, M.E. is a very broad and varied field so to show some concrete examples of that, below is a list of industries/products I have worked on.
- Semiconductor industry, investigating and testing properties of solder used to attach components to circuit boards.
- Aerospace, building/sewing and testing high temperature fabrics for spacecraft
- Aerospace, designing bushings for planes and helicopters as well as designing the tooling to install the bushings
- Automotive, working on battery cooling systems for electric vehicles. Liquid cooling so working with valves, tubing and connectors.
- Consumer goods, water treatment and pool products for people's homes. Pumps, heaters, filters and pool lights.
Key Skills and Experience:
In all these jobs my career has been supported greatly by CAD skills, and general problem solving and has included fluid dynamics, material science, statistics, and heat transfer, among other things. The other major skill that I personally feel has helped my career (and my overall happiness) is hands on building skills. Definitely not critical to every M.E. job but if it is something you enjoy, definitely try and keep those skills sharp as they can help you down the road. In almost all my jobs there was a shop on site and being an engineer that could design something and then bring it to life, instead of relying on a technician or a third party machine shop, has helped me a lot in my career. As with most careers, being able to work with others is critical to success. Especially with engineering, keeping your pride to a minimum and listening to other people ideas, even if they aren't engineers, is critical to finding the best solution and being a good colleague.
A Day in The Life:
Right now I work on the manufacturing side of the industry designing assembly lines and assembly procedures. So a normal day for me is working closely with the M.E.'s and other professionals (mostly electrical engineers and computer scientists) that are designing a new product. I meet with them to discuss the changes they are making to the design and how that may effect the assembly line. Ex. If they are adding in a component to support a new feature, that could have a huge effect on the assembly line. Does the new part need to be screwed in place? What size driver do I need and what torque does it need to reach? Is the part heavy? Do I need a lift or crane to help operators place the part into the assembly? Is the part safety critical? Do I need to design an on-line test or add a sensor to ensure this part is assembled properly? Those are examples of challenges that may pop up and need to be solved each day. Other activities in a normal day might be 3D printing a prototype of a fixture to test it out and see how it fits on the assembly line. Or I may be working with a third party supplier to ensure they are getting us what we need. Ex. If we need a leak test done on a pump product, we will buy a leak test device from a supplier and work to integrate it into our assembly line. I would work with that supplier and make sure the device they provide will work on our line. Make sure the physical size will fit but also the thread sizes match up with our product and that the device and complete the leak test FAST enough for our line. Speed is always critical in manufacturing.
I hope some of that is helpful! Good Luck!
Updated
Scott’s Answer
Hello. Thank you for reaching out with this question.
I knew I wanted to be a consulting engineer prior to graduating college. I wasn't sure what type, so I interviewed an Electrical and Civil. After those interviews and a little more research, I decided upon Mechanical and I am so glad I did.
As noted in previous answers, ME is a career that allows you numerous design opportunities such as:
- Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (my specialty)
- Plumbing
- Robotics
- Manufacturing
- Industrial
- Mechanical Sales
Depending on your selection, there are many courses, on-line training classes, and internships (most paid at a reasonable hourly rate). If you are undecided, I suggest you interview family friends and/or take some on-line courses to get an indication of what might interest you. Then, apply for internships early in your Jr. year to those positions matching your interest. Please note prior to applying, you will need to create an educational resume with some emphasis on outside interests and possible, voluntary positions. The extracurricular activities demonstrate your motivation and passion to a potential employer.
I hope this helps and good luck with selecting your career in the engineering arena - I don't think you will regret it!
I knew I wanted to be a consulting engineer prior to graduating college. I wasn't sure what type, so I interviewed an Electrical and Civil. After those interviews and a little more research, I decided upon Mechanical and I am so glad I did.
As noted in previous answers, ME is a career that allows you numerous design opportunities such as:
- Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (my specialty)
- Plumbing
- Robotics
- Manufacturing
- Industrial
- Mechanical Sales
Depending on your selection, there are many courses, on-line training classes, and internships (most paid at a reasonable hourly rate). If you are undecided, I suggest you interview family friends and/or take some on-line courses to get an indication of what might interest you. Then, apply for internships early in your Jr. year to those positions matching your interest. Please note prior to applying, you will need to create an educational resume with some emphasis on outside interests and possible, voluntary positions. The extracurricular activities demonstrate your motivation and passion to a potential employer.
I hope this helps and good luck with selecting your career in the engineering arena - I don't think you will regret it!
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Oh, Johan, welcome to the wild ride that is mechanical engineering—a world where you get to build, fix, design, and occasionally stare at machines thinking, "Why aren't you working the way I want?"
What’s It Like Being an M.E.?
Imagine solving puzzles daily, except some are the size of a skyscraper and others involve tiny screws that somehow always go missing. The start might be intimidating—calculating stress, strain, and worrying you’ll accidentally design a bridge that wobbles like jelly—but trust me, it’s thrilling. The satisfaction of seeing something you designed actually work? Priceless. (Unless it doesn’t. Then it’s just expensive.)
Tips to Thrive:
1. Learn the Language of Machines: Master software like SolidWorks and AutoCAD early. They’re your best friends in this journey.
2. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: You’ll collaborate with everyone—from other engineers to technicians to the coffee machine that keeps you alive.
3. Be Curious: Always ask why something works or doesn’t. Curiosity separates great engineers from good ones.
4. Stay Cool Under Pressure: Deadlines and prototypes breaking apart the night before a demo? Fun times. But hey, duct tape is magical.
5. Network Like a Pro: Join engineering societies, attend workshops, and be that person who collects business cards like Pokémon cards.
The Pros:
You’ll never look at a car, bridge, or HVAC system the same way again.
It’s a well-paying and globally in-demand career. (Mechanical engineers are everywhere—like engineers of the Avengers.)
The Cons (with Solutions!):
Stress? Yes. But coffee and memes help.
Math headaches? Always. But calculators don’t judge.
Long hours? Sure. But watching your creation come to life is chef’s kiss worth it.
So, Johan, go build the future, tinker with the present, and laugh off the occasional meltdown (yours or the machine's). Mechanical engineering is a mix of grit, grease, and greatness—get ready to love it!
What’s It Like Being an M.E.?
Imagine solving puzzles daily, except some are the size of a skyscraper and others involve tiny screws that somehow always go missing. The start might be intimidating—calculating stress, strain, and worrying you’ll accidentally design a bridge that wobbles like jelly—but trust me, it’s thrilling. The satisfaction of seeing something you designed actually work? Priceless. (Unless it doesn’t. Then it’s just expensive.)
Tips to Thrive:
1. Learn the Language of Machines: Master software like SolidWorks and AutoCAD early. They’re your best friends in this journey.
2. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: You’ll collaborate with everyone—from other engineers to technicians to the coffee machine that keeps you alive.
3. Be Curious: Always ask why something works or doesn’t. Curiosity separates great engineers from good ones.
4. Stay Cool Under Pressure: Deadlines and prototypes breaking apart the night before a demo? Fun times. But hey, duct tape is magical.
5. Network Like a Pro: Join engineering societies, attend workshops, and be that person who collects business cards like Pokémon cards.
The Pros:
You’ll never look at a car, bridge, or HVAC system the same way again.
It’s a well-paying and globally in-demand career. (Mechanical engineers are everywhere—like engineers of the Avengers.)
The Cons (with Solutions!):
Stress? Yes. But coffee and memes help.
Math headaches? Always. But calculators don’t judge.
Long hours? Sure. But watching your creation come to life is chef’s kiss worth it.
So, Johan, go build the future, tinker with the present, and laugh off the occasional meltdown (yours or the machine's). Mechanical engineering is a mix of grit, grease, and greatness—get ready to love it!
![James Constantine Frangos’s Avatar](https://res.cloudinary.com/careervillage/image/upload/w_120,h_120,c_scale/v1694725334/179930.webp)
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian-Nutritionist & Software Developer since 1972 🡆 Optimization Of Human Performance
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Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Good Day Johan!
Introduction to Mechanical Engineering
As a mechanical engineer, one can expect to work on a wide range of projects, from designing and developing new machines and systems to improving existing ones. Mechanical engineers apply the principles of physics and mathematics to design, build, and maintain mechanical systems, including engines, robots, and HVAC systems.
Day-to-Day Life of a Mechanical Engineer
The day-to-day life of a mechanical engineer typically involves a combination of design, analysis, and testing. They use computer-aided design (CAD) software and other tools to design and simulate the behavior of mechanical systems. They also conduct experiments and tests to validate their designs and identify areas for improvement. Mechanical engineers must have strong problem-solving skills, be able to work well in teams, and have excellent communication skills.
Key Skills and Qualities
To be successful as a mechanical engineer, one needs to have a strong foundation in mathematics and physics, as well as excellent problem-solving and analytical skills. They must also be able to work well in teams, communicate effectively, and have a strong attention to detail. A bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field is typically required, and many mechanical engineers also pursue advanced degrees or certifications.
Career Paths and Opportunities
Mechanical engineers can work in a variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, energy, and manufacturing. They can also work in research and development, consulting, or government agencies. With experience and advanced degrees, mechanical engineers can move into leadership positions, such as technical managers or directors of engineering.
Conclusion
In conclusion, being a mechanical engineer can be a rewarding and challenging career, with many opportunities for growth and development. By sharing their experiences and advice, current mechanical engineers can help future engineers prepare for the field and make informed decisions about their careers.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question:
National Society of Professional Engineers: The National Society of Professional Engineers is a professional organization that provides guidance, resources, and advocacy for engineers in the United States.
American Society of Mechanical Engineers: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers is a professional organization that promotes the art, science, and practice of mechanical engineering.
Bureau of Labor Statistics: The Bureau of Labor Statistics is a government agency that provides information on employment trends, career outlook, and salary ranges for various occupations, including mechanical engineers.
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|=========================God Bless You, Richly!============================|
|===James Constantine Frangos ~ THE LITTLE OLD AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK DIETITIAN===|
|=========I Have Been Programming For Your Nutrition Education ~ Since 1972!========|
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Introduction to Mechanical Engineering
As a mechanical engineer, one can expect to work on a wide range of projects, from designing and developing new machines and systems to improving existing ones. Mechanical engineers apply the principles of physics and mathematics to design, build, and maintain mechanical systems, including engines, robots, and HVAC systems.
Day-to-Day Life of a Mechanical Engineer
The day-to-day life of a mechanical engineer typically involves a combination of design, analysis, and testing. They use computer-aided design (CAD) software and other tools to design and simulate the behavior of mechanical systems. They also conduct experiments and tests to validate their designs and identify areas for improvement. Mechanical engineers must have strong problem-solving skills, be able to work well in teams, and have excellent communication skills.
Key Skills and Qualities
To be successful as a mechanical engineer, one needs to have a strong foundation in mathematics and physics, as well as excellent problem-solving and analytical skills. They must also be able to work well in teams, communicate effectively, and have a strong attention to detail. A bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field is typically required, and many mechanical engineers also pursue advanced degrees or certifications.
Career Paths and Opportunities
Mechanical engineers can work in a variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, energy, and manufacturing. They can also work in research and development, consulting, or government agencies. With experience and advanced degrees, mechanical engineers can move into leadership positions, such as technical managers or directors of engineering.
Conclusion
In conclusion, being a mechanical engineer can be a rewarding and challenging career, with many opportunities for growth and development. By sharing their experiences and advice, current mechanical engineers can help future engineers prepare for the field and make informed decisions about their careers.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question:
National Society of Professional Engineers: The National Society of Professional Engineers is a professional organization that provides guidance, resources, and advocacy for engineers in the United States.
American Society of Mechanical Engineers: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers is a professional organization that promotes the art, science, and practice of mechanical engineering.
Bureau of Labor Statistics: The Bureau of Labor Statistics is a government agency that provides information on employment trends, career outlook, and salary ranges for various occupations, including mechanical engineers.
✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯
|=========================God Bless You, Richly!============================|
|===James Constantine Frangos ~ THE LITTLE OLD AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK DIETITIAN===|
|=========I Have Been Programming For Your Nutrition Education ~ Since 1972!========|
✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯