How hard are Engineering classes in college?

Hello, Clayton:

You appear to be interested in engine mechanics and possibly mechanical engineering. These are two different professions. To become an engine mechanic you typically attend a year or two of mechanics school (perhaps at a Community College) after you graduate high school. You would then work on repairing vehicle engines, usually in a commercial garage. While the hourly rate of an EXPERIENCED mechanic can be fairly good, you are unlikely to approach anything like $100,000 per year.

To become a mechanical engineer, you would attend a 4-year college and graduate with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. To get into an engineering school, you will want to take four years of Math in High School, along with Physics and Chemistry. The engineering courses in college will definitely be challenging and will require your full commitment. Having said that, a degree in engineering can be a very interesting and rewarding experience for you if you are prepared to work. After graduating, you would typically work in a professional engineering office DESIGNING mechanical systems of all sorts. If you were interested in designing engines, you would probably want to work with a vehicle manufacturer such as Ford, GM, Freightliner or Peterbuilt. Right out of college you could expect to make perhaps $50,000$60,000/yr. A successful Mechanical Engineer could expect to achieve $100,000/year after perhaps 15-20 years in the Field.

I hope this gives you some perspective and I wish you well in school.

Pete Sturtevant, PE

Engineering is certainly not the easiest major because of the math and science requirements. Within the engineering curriculum, chemical engineering is more challenging (with calculus and reaction rates etc.) than Civil or Industrial engineering which work more with algebra, geometry and trigonometry. There is a lot to learn and there is a fair amount of homework and practice required. To that end, all engineering fields offer a very diverse and rewarding career and is worth the effort that it takes to get a degree. I was only an average high school student and received a BS in mechanical engineering through night school as I worked. I would recommend going full time to a state school with an engineering program. Good luck.