7 answers
Victwhon
Student
Youngstown, Ohio
2
Questions
Asked
1833 views
What is the benefits of being an Mechanical Engineer?
I'm still in high school. I'm going to the 11th grade but I want to be a mechanical engineer. So I just want to know some things about being an engineer. #engineer #engineering #mechanical-engineering #aerospace-engineering #mechanical-engineer
Login to comment
7 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1590
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Victwhon engineering is a broad work category that refers to jobs that use science and mathematics to solve a variety of problems. Engineers work in disciplines that include mechanical, electrical, chemical, civil, and environmental engineering, among others.
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Utilize scientific and mathematic principles to devise technical solutions for problems in construction, engine design, and manufacturing. Aspiring mechanical engineers must earn a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering at a minimum, and may pursue graduate degrees in the field. Every state requires that mechanical engineers earn licensure, which calls for education, supervised work experience, and several examinations. Earning a degree in mechanical engineering opens a variety of career opportunities with automobile manufacturers, utility companies, and government agencies.
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
A career in mechanical engineering requires at least a bachelor's degree. These programs include instruction in various system components, from computer programming to power systems, and cover technical subjects such as fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and hydraulics. Students are also expected to gain a basic understanding of civil engineering, electrical engineering, and chemical engineering. Many programs include coursework in fields where mechanical engineering is often applied, such as business or environmental science. Students interested in research and development positions in academia or private industry might go on to earn a master's or doctoral degree in mechanical engineering. Graduate programs in mechanical engineering typically involve research projects in a specific area, culminating in a thesis or dissertation. Engineering schools generally hold an accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SALARY AND JOB OUTLOOK
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the mean annual salary for mechanical engineers is $84,999 as of June 28, 2020, but the range typically falls between $78,208 and $93,752. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. The BLS projects a four percent increase in jobs for mechanical engineers between 2018 and 2028, which is about average in comparison to other occupations. Growth in fields like oil and gas extraction and nanotechnology will provide additional career opportunities.
ADDITIONAL ENGINEERING CAREERS TO CONSIDER
• AEROSPACE ENGINEERS – Aerospace engineers design aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missile systems. They also analyze, design, and test prototypes to make sure that they function according to design. The 2019 median pay for aerospace engineers was $114,000 per year.
• SOFTWARE/HARDWARE ENGINEERS – Software engineers design and create software and hardware systems for computers. They utilize math, science, engineering, and design techniques, and frequently have to test and evaluate their own systems as well as software built by other people. The 2019 median pay for software developers was $105,000 per year; for computer hardware engineers, $111,000 per year.
• ROBOTIC ENGINEERS – An engineering discipline that is on the rise, robotics engineering is a breeding ground for creativity and innovation from people with a background in mechanical, electrical, or software engineering. They may work in the agricultural, military, medical, and manufacturing industries, among others, conceiving of new uses for robots, designing improved robots for existing systems. The 2019 median pay for robotics engineers was $98,000 per year.
Hope this was Helpful Victwhon
Find an Internship – Victwhon you can gain hands-on experience by participating in internships through your school's MET program. This is an opportunity for technicians to begin applying what was learned in the classroom environment to real-world experience. Interns may shadow an experienced mechanical technician who can help a promising technician gain the skills necessary to obtain professional employment.
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Utilize scientific and mathematic principles to devise technical solutions for problems in construction, engine design, and manufacturing. Aspiring mechanical engineers must earn a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering at a minimum, and may pursue graduate degrees in the field. Every state requires that mechanical engineers earn licensure, which calls for education, supervised work experience, and several examinations. Earning a degree in mechanical engineering opens a variety of career opportunities with automobile manufacturers, utility companies, and government agencies.
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
A career in mechanical engineering requires at least a bachelor's degree. These programs include instruction in various system components, from computer programming to power systems, and cover technical subjects such as fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and hydraulics. Students are also expected to gain a basic understanding of civil engineering, electrical engineering, and chemical engineering. Many programs include coursework in fields where mechanical engineering is often applied, such as business or environmental science. Students interested in research and development positions in academia or private industry might go on to earn a master's or doctoral degree in mechanical engineering. Graduate programs in mechanical engineering typically involve research projects in a specific area, culminating in a thesis or dissertation. Engineering schools generally hold an accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SALARY AND JOB OUTLOOK
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the mean annual salary for mechanical engineers is $84,999 as of June 28, 2020, but the range typically falls between $78,208 and $93,752. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. The BLS projects a four percent increase in jobs for mechanical engineers between 2018 and 2028, which is about average in comparison to other occupations. Growth in fields like oil and gas extraction and nanotechnology will provide additional career opportunities.
ADDITIONAL ENGINEERING CAREERS TO CONSIDER
• AEROSPACE ENGINEERS – Aerospace engineers design aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missile systems. They also analyze, design, and test prototypes to make sure that they function according to design. The 2019 median pay for aerospace engineers was $114,000 per year.
• SOFTWARE/HARDWARE ENGINEERS – Software engineers design and create software and hardware systems for computers. They utilize math, science, engineering, and design techniques, and frequently have to test and evaluate their own systems as well as software built by other people. The 2019 median pay for software developers was $105,000 per year; for computer hardware engineers, $111,000 per year.
• ROBOTIC ENGINEERS – An engineering discipline that is on the rise, robotics engineering is a breeding ground for creativity and innovation from people with a background in mechanical, electrical, or software engineering. They may work in the agricultural, military, medical, and manufacturing industries, among others, conceiving of new uses for robots, designing improved robots for existing systems. The 2019 median pay for robotics engineers was $98,000 per year.
Hope this was Helpful Victwhon
Doc recommends the following next steps:
Hasnain Shabbir
Thermal Controls Architect
1
Answer
Round Rock, Texas
Updated
Hasnain’s Answer
Mechanical Engineering, as an undergraduate degree, prepares you to vast professional areas like designing physical things that you see around you like toys, cars, iphones (yes a lot of ME engineering goes into it), rockets (work with Elon!), thermal engineer (what I do, cooling design for server computers).... and so much more.... biggest of all, all the practical aspects of this degree has potential to make you a great handyman as well (fix your own car, build your own stuff at home etc..) .... engineering work that is very tangible in nature compared to e.g. computer programming.
Don't hesitate to ask more questions.... and good luck....
Don't hesitate to ask more questions.... and good luck....
Carolyn Warden, PMP
Consulting & Coaching
11
Answers
Cincinnati, Ohio
Updated
Carolyn’s Answer
Oophs Cart before the Horse!
What stregnths, passions and experiences do you have that are valuable for Mechanical Engineers to have?
Doesn;t matter - if you Hate or Cannot Succeed as a Merchanical Engineer - what the benefits might be.
ALso ask yourself "Would you hire a person who asked what your organization can do for him - even before you have made a job offer?
People get paid to being their hands, and minds, and communication skills to the job to Make Money for their Employer. WHAT CAN YOU CONTRIBUTE TO THAT? and do you care to do that for the next 40 years?
My oh my, what kind of life have you lead that focused your thinking on "Whats In It for me?"
Rather than "Whis is What I Can adn Want to do Well... what profession uses these traits the majority of the time?"
You'll be spending more time at work, than with your family, or sleeping. GET YOUR PRIORITIES RIGHT, or you may be unemployable.
20% unemployment right now - Employers will only hire the Best and Most Devoted people.
Most sincerely,
Carolyn W
What stregnths, passions and experiences do you have that are valuable for Mechanical Engineers to have?
Doesn;t matter - if you Hate or Cannot Succeed as a Merchanical Engineer - what the benefits might be.
ALso ask yourself "Would you hire a person who asked what your organization can do for him - even before you have made a job offer?
People get paid to being their hands, and minds, and communication skills to the job to Make Money for their Employer. WHAT CAN YOU CONTRIBUTE TO THAT? and do you care to do that for the next 40 years?
My oh my, what kind of life have you lead that focused your thinking on "Whats In It for me?"
Rather than "Whis is What I Can adn Want to do Well... what profession uses these traits the majority of the time?"
You'll be spending more time at work, than with your family, or sleeping. GET YOUR PRIORITIES RIGHT, or you may be unemployable.
20% unemployment right now - Employers will only hire the Best and Most Devoted people.
Most sincerely,
Carolyn W
PS Victwhon, I beleive in you, and see you in my mind's eye doing great things with your life for yourself, your family, and your community. You are thinking ahead, strategically. That is a high value attribute professionally as well as personally. POY (Proud of You). I went to grade school near you, in Poland, OH. The tearchers said I would not graduate high school. I struggled with mild learning differences and have a great imagaination = This girl did not sit still much. They didn't like how my true self made their jobs harder. (That's why they call it a JOB!) Thank God my parents didn't tell me what was about me at age 9. I graduated HS with honors and earned a partial scholarship to a 4 year college. Yeah for being YOU! Don't ever stop!
Carolyn Warden, PMP
Hi Carolyn, this answer doesn't mention any specifics about being a "Mechanical Engineer". Appreciate the response but this student and many others reading this question would love to know the Pros of going into Mechanical Engineering.
Anyway you can address that?
Jordan Rivera, Admin
COACH
Richard Galarza
Engineering Technician
2
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Richard’s Answer
Many of the previous answers accurately describe you're career option but the best part of Mechanical engineering is that many disciplines are needed in local environments. Essentially, these jobs do not get outsourced to other countries as often as other careers.
Trey Collins
Director of ISO Certifications
8
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Trey’s Answer
Victwhon - any engineering degree will require a detailed series of high-level math courses as well as science course, related to the engineering fied of discipline that you are planning to pursue. In my opinion, the best part about pursuing an engineering degree at a 4-year university is that the first two years of engineering study are going to be almost identical classes to those of year one and two engineering students. You really don't start taking the engineering field of major specific courses until years three and four of college.
As an example, when I entered college, I was a declared Aerospace Engineering major - however, after about my first year of general engineering courses (including the required math and science courses required for all engineering majors), I decided to change engineering majors and changed to agricultural engineering (now known as Biological Systems Engineering). I changed engineering majors because I saw more opportunity for direct human interaction for helping others directly in my engineering career with that major. That is what I wanted to have in my future career - the ability to help understand and solve other humans' problems through engineering.
One of the best parts about any engineering degree is that it will give you great problem-solving abilities for anything your pursue later in life. As an example, though I have two engineering degrees, I have not been in an engineering role in over 20 years. However, I use a lot of my engineering problem-solving skills in the work that I do for my employer. Many college graduates end up employed in work that is not closely tied to their college degree/field of study. Best wishes to you in your future!
As an example, when I entered college, I was a declared Aerospace Engineering major - however, after about my first year of general engineering courses (including the required math and science courses required for all engineering majors), I decided to change engineering majors and changed to agricultural engineering (now known as Biological Systems Engineering). I changed engineering majors because I saw more opportunity for direct human interaction for helping others directly in my engineering career with that major. That is what I wanted to have in my future career - the ability to help understand and solve other humans' problems through engineering.
One of the best parts about any engineering degree is that it will give you great problem-solving abilities for anything your pursue later in life. As an example, though I have two engineering degrees, I have not been in an engineering role in over 20 years. However, I use a lot of my engineering problem-solving skills in the work that I do for my employer. Many college graduates end up employed in work that is not closely tied to their college degree/field of study. Best wishes to you in your future!
Miguel Galeano
Intern
2
Answers
Kissimmee, Florida
Updated
Miguel’s Answer
Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest fields in engineering. It is applicable in many industries such as automotive, medical, and infrastructure. Mechanical engineering provides a great starting point to learn fundamental concepts that can help you propel into any specialized field in engineering. The field of mechanical engineering allows you to gain experiences into fields like design, thermal fluids, and controls systems.
John Oller
Engineer, Project Manager, Quality Manager
159
Answers
Rockford, Illinois
Updated
John’s Answer
Mechanical engineering is used by everyone one because most things are mechanical. You learn the most skills you need for everyday activities with Mechanical engineering. Take a few classes in the electrical/computer area to add to it and you become even more valuable to an organization. Most aerospace engineers actually have a mechanical engineering degree. This degree allows you to go into many positions as you gain experience such as designer, project and program management, test engineer, quality engineer, supplier quality, management, aftermarket and repair, and many others.
Research job openings for mechanical engineers and review the job descriptions for what skills are needed. Compare to other engineering types.
Talk to other engineers via linked -in as to what they do.
John recommends the following next steps: