7 answers
Jacob
Student
Reidsville, North Carolina
1
Question
Asked
211 views
My name is Jacob. I am a high school student looking to pursue engineering. I am trying to decipher whether to go the mechanical or software engineering route. In your opinion, where will I find the most success and be fulfilled at the same time ?
I enjoy coding in my free time.
I also intern for a commercial hvac company, so I have earned some experience in this field.
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7 answers
Jason Huang
2
Answers
Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Updated
Jason’s Answer
Hey Jacob
It's awesome that you're considering mechanical or software engineering. Both have many opportunities in the future. And these 2 routes can work together. The experience you're working in the HVAC company is very important because it can bring you the true feelings of mechanical. Do you like this job? If you like it, you can find out how to improve it with software or mechanical means. And it could help you to understand which way you will choose in the future.
Hope this helps! And I can see a glorious future before you.
It's awesome that you're considering mechanical or software engineering. Both have many opportunities in the future. And these 2 routes can work together. The experience you're working in the HVAC company is very important because it can bring you the true feelings of mechanical. Do you like this job? If you like it, you can find out how to improve it with software or mechanical means. And it could help you to understand which way you will choose in the future.
Hope this helps! And I can see a glorious future before you.
Marco de Carvalho
Professor
7
Answers
Curitiba
Updated
Marco’s Answer
Hi Jacob, given your interest in coding and your internship experience in HVAC, a career in mechanical engineering might offer you the most success and fulfillment.
Mechanical engineering allows you to apply technical knowledge in a practical, hands-on way, which seems to align with your internship experience.
Additionally, your coding skills can be a huge asset in this field, especially in areas like automation, simulation, and design optimization. This blend of skills could make you stand out and open doors to innovative projects where you can solve real-world problems, potentially leading to both job satisfaction and career growth.
Consider exploring further through coursework, projects, or additional internships to see how these interests intersect.
Also, note that AI is expected to impact software engineering more strongly and sooner than mechanical engineering, which might make mechanical engineering a more stable and less rapidly disrupted field in the near term.
Mechanical engineering allows you to apply technical knowledge in a practical, hands-on way, which seems to align with your internship experience.
Additionally, your coding skills can be a huge asset in this field, especially in areas like automation, simulation, and design optimization. This blend of skills could make you stand out and open doors to innovative projects where you can solve real-world problems, potentially leading to both job satisfaction and career growth.
Consider exploring further through coursework, projects, or additional internships to see how these interests intersect.
Also, note that AI is expected to impact software engineering more strongly and sooner than mechanical engineering, which might make mechanical engineering a more stable and less rapidly disrupted field in the near term.
Erica Shahinian-Miller
Project Management
1
Answer
Lynchburg, Virginia
Updated
Erica’s Answer
My son faced a similar decision and discovered that these two areas can work together. He realized that being skilled in software is important for a mechanical engineer. Many engineers use software every day to plan, design, and complete projects. My son took drafting courses in his first two years of high school and joined the Governor's STEM Academy at our local community college during his last two years. It seems like you already have some experience from your internship. You didn’t mention what kind of tasks you did there. Consider teaming up with designers to learn more about the different software used in the field. There are certifications for most of these programs, which can really boost your resume. Knowing how to use and manage these tools has greatly helped my son in his studies and internships.
When it comes to feeling fulfilled, remember that this can change as you grow and learn more. What makes you happy now might be different in the future. The great news is that it's easier than ever to keep learning and switch careers if you want to. Success can mean different things. It's important to network in your community. Connect with people through job fairs or school-supported organizations. Your school counselor might have specific advice on opportunities in your area. If you're thinking about success in terms of salary, remember that money isn't the only reward. Benefits like tuition reimbursement, time off, and insurance are valuable too. Keep an eye out for these extras that can help you grow and enjoy your career.
Chat to your School Counselor about networking opportunities
Request to work with a Designer at your HVAC internship
Explore Drafting, STEM courses available to you
When it comes to feeling fulfilled, remember that this can change as you grow and learn more. What makes you happy now might be different in the future. The great news is that it's easier than ever to keep learning and switch careers if you want to. Success can mean different things. It's important to network in your community. Connect with people through job fairs or school-supported organizations. Your school counselor might have specific advice on opportunities in your area. If you're thinking about success in terms of salary, remember that money isn't the only reward. Benefits like tuition reimbursement, time off, and insurance are valuable too. Keep an eye out for these extras that can help you grow and enjoy your career.
Erica recommends the following next steps:
Diana Cobian
Sales
13
Answers
Guadalajara
Updated
Diana’s Answer
Hey Jacob! That's a fantastic question! Both mechanical and software engineering can be super rewarding. The best choice for you depends on what you're passionate about and the kind of work you enjoy.
Here are some numbers to help you decide:
**Mechanical Engineering:**
- **Job Growth:** Jobs for mechanical engineers are expected to grow 11% from 2023 to 2033, which is much faster than average.
- **Annual Openings:** About 19,800 job openings are expected each year, mainly because of workers changing jobs or retiring.
- **Industries:** Mechanical engineers work in fields like manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and energy. As factories use more automated machines, the need for mechanical engineers to design and set up this equipment will grow.
**Software Engineering:**
- **Job Growth:** Jobs for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers are expected to grow 17% from 2023 to 2033, which is very fast.
- **Annual Openings:** Around 140,100 job openings are expected each year, mainly due to workers changing jobs or retiring.
- **Industries:** Software developers are needed in many industries, like technology, finance, healthcare, and entertainment. The growth of AI, IoT, and cybersecurity keeps increasing the demand for skilled software engineers.
**Market Considerations:**
- **Mechanical Engineering:** There's a global shortage of engineers. The U.S. will need about 400,000 new engineers, with many roles unfilled each year through 2030.
- **Software Engineering:** The tech job market is expected to grow from 6 million in 2024 to 7.1 million by 2034. But, recent trends show fewer job openings due to AI boosting productivity.
**Salary Insights:**
- **Mechanical Engineers:** Median annual salary was $79,160 in May 2023.
- **Software Developers:** Median annual salary was $132,270 in May 2023.
Both fields have great opportunities. Mechanical engineering is set for steady growth, especially with new automation and manufacturing tech. Software engineering is growing fast, but AI and market changes make it unpredictable. Think about what you enjoy more—hands-on design and manufacturing or software development and AI. Your experience with coding and HVAC internships will help guide you.
Good luck, and remember, your career can change as you gain experience and discover what truly excites you!
Here are some numbers to help you decide:
**Mechanical Engineering:**
- **Job Growth:** Jobs for mechanical engineers are expected to grow 11% from 2023 to 2033, which is much faster than average.
- **Annual Openings:** About 19,800 job openings are expected each year, mainly because of workers changing jobs or retiring.
- **Industries:** Mechanical engineers work in fields like manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and energy. As factories use more automated machines, the need for mechanical engineers to design and set up this equipment will grow.
**Software Engineering:**
- **Job Growth:** Jobs for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers are expected to grow 17% from 2023 to 2033, which is very fast.
- **Annual Openings:** Around 140,100 job openings are expected each year, mainly due to workers changing jobs or retiring.
- **Industries:** Software developers are needed in many industries, like technology, finance, healthcare, and entertainment. The growth of AI, IoT, and cybersecurity keeps increasing the demand for skilled software engineers.
**Market Considerations:**
- **Mechanical Engineering:** There's a global shortage of engineers. The U.S. will need about 400,000 new engineers, with many roles unfilled each year through 2030.
- **Software Engineering:** The tech job market is expected to grow from 6 million in 2024 to 7.1 million by 2034. But, recent trends show fewer job openings due to AI boosting productivity.
**Salary Insights:**
- **Mechanical Engineers:** Median annual salary was $79,160 in May 2023.
- **Software Developers:** Median annual salary was $132,270 in May 2023.
Both fields have great opportunities. Mechanical engineering is set for steady growth, especially with new automation and manufacturing tech. Software engineering is growing fast, but AI and market changes make it unpredictable. Think about what you enjoy more—hands-on design and manufacturing or software development and AI. Your experience with coding and HVAC internships will help guide you.
Good luck, and remember, your career can change as you gain experience and discover what truly excites you!
Naveen Kumar Nagarajan
Supervisor
1
Answer
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Naveen Kumar’s Answer
Hey Jacob! It's awesome that you're considering engineering as your career path—both mechanical and software engineering are great fields with tons of opportunities. Deciding between them can be tough, but here's a breakdown to help guide your decision based on what you might find fulfilling and where you could succeed:
Mechanical Engineering
What it is: Mechanical engineers design, analyze, and manufacture mechanical systems, like engines, machines, robotics, and more. It's a broad discipline that can touch everything from automotive to aerospace to energy systems.
Success Factors:
If you love understanding how things work, solving physical problems, and seeing your ideas turn into tangible products, this could be a good fit.
Mechanical engineers are in demand across many industries, so you can find work in almost any field that involves machines or mechanical systems.
Fulfillment:
If you enjoy hands-on work, building prototypes, and seeing a project come to life in the physical world, this might be more fulfilling.
It can be very rewarding to see your designs and innovations impacting people’s lives, from improving transportation to creating more sustainable energy solutions.
Software Engineering
What it is: Software engineers design and develop software applications, systems, and solutions. It’s all about writing code to solve problems, build systems, or improve user experiences.
Success Factors:
If you have a knack for logic, problem-solving, and enjoy creating things from scratch in a digital space, software engineering is ideal. The tech industry is booming, and software engineers are in high demand across virtually every industry.
Software engineers can often work remotely or in flexible environments, and there’s high earning potential, especially in tech hubs or working for startups.
Fulfillment:
If you enjoy building things that can scale and impact large numbers of people (apps, websites, etc.), you might find this more fulfilling. There's also a lot of creativity in software engineering, especially if you're into developing new technologies or solving complex problems.
Plus, the tech world is always evolving, so there's always something new to learn and innovate on.
Mechanical Engineering
What it is: Mechanical engineers design, analyze, and manufacture mechanical systems, like engines, machines, robotics, and more. It's a broad discipline that can touch everything from automotive to aerospace to energy systems.
Success Factors:
If you love understanding how things work, solving physical problems, and seeing your ideas turn into tangible products, this could be a good fit.
Mechanical engineers are in demand across many industries, so you can find work in almost any field that involves machines or mechanical systems.
Fulfillment:
If you enjoy hands-on work, building prototypes, and seeing a project come to life in the physical world, this might be more fulfilling.
It can be very rewarding to see your designs and innovations impacting people’s lives, from improving transportation to creating more sustainable energy solutions.
Software Engineering
What it is: Software engineers design and develop software applications, systems, and solutions. It’s all about writing code to solve problems, build systems, or improve user experiences.
Success Factors:
If you have a knack for logic, problem-solving, and enjoy creating things from scratch in a digital space, software engineering is ideal. The tech industry is booming, and software engineers are in high demand across virtually every industry.
Software engineers can often work remotely or in flexible environments, and there’s high earning potential, especially in tech hubs or working for startups.
Fulfillment:
If you enjoy building things that can scale and impact large numbers of people (apps, websites, etc.), you might find this more fulfilling. There's also a lot of creativity in software engineering, especially if you're into developing new technologies or solving complex problems.
Plus, the tech world is always evolving, so there's always something new to learn and innovate on.
Karan Gupta
Software Developer
8
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Karan’s Answer
Hi Jacob,
I would advise you to go for Mechanical Engineering
As you can see, AI has disrupted the software fields. The growth in demand is not as much as it used to be.
Correspondingly, you will also see governments across the world focusing on re-industrialization to achieve a flourishing economy.
Hence, this is the best time to find success in Mechanical Engineering.
But, it is important you continue to learn software skills here and there. At-learn learn how to use AI effectively.
Remember, a Mechanical Engineer can learn Software at any time but no the other way round.
Choosing an education in Mechanical field will give you much needed edge in coming times.
Go for Mechanical Engineering
Learn Software on the side
Learn how to use AI
I would advise you to go for Mechanical Engineering
As you can see, AI has disrupted the software fields. The growth in demand is not as much as it used to be.
Correspondingly, you will also see governments across the world focusing on re-industrialization to achieve a flourishing economy.
Hence, this is the best time to find success in Mechanical Engineering.
But, it is important you continue to learn software skills here and there. At-learn learn how to use AI effectively.
Remember, a Mechanical Engineer can learn Software at any time but no the other way round.
Choosing an education in Mechanical field will give you much needed edge in coming times.
Karan recommends the following next steps:
Carlos Tiburcio
Senior Program Manager
10
Answers
Guadalajara
Updated
Carlos’s Answer
Hi Jacob,
Software programming is important in many areas, including mechanical engineering, and actually there's a blend between these 2 areas called mechatronics. If you really enjoy tinkering with machines and its electronics, along with software coding, I believe a mechatronic area will be a great fit.
I can tell you from my personal experience: like you, I have enjoyed coding since high school, and when the time came to decide for my bachelors, I was deciding between Electronics Engineering and Software Engineering. At the end I decided to go with Electronics, as I thought that if I understood the underlying mechanisms on how computers work (microprocessors , microcontrollers, etc) then I could understand both worlds, hardware and software.
With time, it showed I have chosen the right decision as I could land as my first job a position at GE Aviation, which implies mainly software modeling for aircraft engines. Due to my background in Electronics and Control Systems, I could understand what I was seeing in the model simulations (like transitory signals, etc) while I was doing software coding at the same time for engines communications with the cockpit and how the information was presented in the cockpit screens.
So, at the end is a matter if you enjoy tinkering with machines, then maybe a mechanical approach is something you'd enjoy, and definitely everything nowadays involves computers and coding, so you'll get to do that as well.
Hope this helps! I wish you the greatest of success!
Software programming is important in many areas, including mechanical engineering, and actually there's a blend between these 2 areas called mechatronics. If you really enjoy tinkering with machines and its electronics, along with software coding, I believe a mechatronic area will be a great fit.
I can tell you from my personal experience: like you, I have enjoyed coding since high school, and when the time came to decide for my bachelors, I was deciding between Electronics Engineering and Software Engineering. At the end I decided to go with Electronics, as I thought that if I understood the underlying mechanisms on how computers work (microprocessors , microcontrollers, etc) then I could understand both worlds, hardware and software.
With time, it showed I have chosen the right decision as I could land as my first job a position at GE Aviation, which implies mainly software modeling for aircraft engines. Due to my background in Electronics and Control Systems, I could understand what I was seeing in the model simulations (like transitory signals, etc) while I was doing software coding at the same time for engines communications with the cockpit and how the information was presented in the cockpit screens.
So, at the end is a matter if you enjoy tinkering with machines, then maybe a mechanical approach is something you'd enjoy, and definitely everything nowadays involves computers and coding, so you'll get to do that as well.
Hope this helps! I wish you the greatest of success!