Daniel
Thoughts on Mechanical Engineering
Hello. I plan on majoring in mechanical engineering and although it is a very strong and difficult major id like to ask for some feedback on anyone who has already been through that situation. Is it hard as people say and should I still work hard to become one or is it not worth the time and effort?
#sophmorecollege #mechanicalengineering
2 answers
MICHAEL OFFUTT
MICHAEL’s Answer
Getting an engineering education will take some dedication.
There are some rigorous requirements such as all of the math courses which are really about teaching you to be diligent with your attention, and, to think systematically. They are a kind of test, to see if you will pay attention to the small details that might mean the difference in the work world between success and failure (which can have human consequences).
In many engineering jobs you may never use high-level math or analytical geometry. You will probably use algebra and basic trigonometry, and maybe even a little calculus. Probability and statistics are likely to be useful. If you are going to need high-level math in your career, you likely already know that.
There is a lot of focus on thermodynamics and heat transfer, too. Surprisingly, you need to know it if you want to be the superintendent of a large, old apartment building that has a steam boiler (seems like a lot to ask of a building manager; but, we can't have boilers blowing up). You'd also want to know it well if you want to work at a steam power generating plant, work on rocket or jet or internal combustion engines; or, if you work with anything that has to dissipate heat predictably.
You will learn about electrical things, control systems, waves of all types which, along with the math, can be useful in understanding how to keep complex dynamic systems running with stability. You will learn about what it takes to make things break, and what you can do to make them last virtually forever.
There also is likely to be a lot of theory which a person who asks, "is it not worth the time and effort?" may never need to use. You can find work that doesn't require you to be a stellar student, and you can find a lot of satisfaction in solving real problems and inventing cool stuff. Just please go in willing to do your best, so you will have a beneficial impact.
You can increase your learning greatly by reading ahead. Know the course agenda, and read all of the material before it's covered in class. Try to work problems in the textbook. Then, when you get to class, what is being taught will already be somewhat familiar to you, and if it was unclear, you will be more likely to understand it better the second time. Never be afraid to ask questions -- because in doing so, you will be helping other students who also don't understand, but may not even know how to phrase the question. These techniques will give you a huge advantage, if you stick with them.
You will have to work through it to get your degree, but it will be worth it, because it will teach you to think critically and methodically.
You're making a highly valuable investment in yourself that will give you an understanding of things that those with "natural ability," "intuition," and "street smarts" can rarely approach.
Be serious about it; dedicate your efforts to it; ask for help early when you need it. Keep doing all those things, and whether it's engineering, or any aspiration, you will succeed.
Good luck
Mike
+1 to this comment. I was unsure of what major to select, and honestly wanted to study architecture. I chose Mechanical Eng because I was somewhat interested and I was told I could get a good job after. That was all true, it just took a lot of work. It took me 5 years to get through my degree and haven't held the title of mechanical engineer ever in my 5 year career, but have found plenty of opportunity and success because of the critical and methodical thinking that it taught me.
Mick Stapleton
Luis "Lou" Herrera
Luis "Lou"’s Answer
If you have an aptitude for math and science, mechanical engineering should not be any harder than any other technical career. Hopefully you like mechanical things: mechanisms, machines, planes, trains and automobiles ... that is the kind of things most ME's like, so learning about them will drive your desire for the career, and you'll think of it more as an adventure than a chore.
If machines are not your thing, go for Chem.E. or EE or Civil. If you like business and are also good at math, go for Industrial.
I truly believe that if you are studying something you are interested in, it is not hard. It might be challenging, but not hard. Good luck.