4 answers
Alyja
Student
Memphis, Tennessee
1
Question
4 answers
Debra DeFalco
2
Answers
Updated
Debra’s Answer
One of the most diverse and versatile engineering fields, mechanical engineering is the study of objects and systems in motion. As such, the field of mechanical engineering touches virtually every aspect of modern life, including the human body, a highly complex machine.
The role of a mechanical engineer is to take a product from an idea to the marketplace. To accomplish this, the mechanical engineer must be able to determine the forces and thermal environment that a product, its parts, or its subsystems will encounter; design them for functionality, aesthetics, and durability; and determine the best manufacturing approach that will ensure operation without failure.
Mechanical engineers play key roles in a wide range of industries including automotive, aerospace, biotechnology, computers, electronics, microelectromechanical systems, energy conversion, robotics and automation, and manufacturing. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) currently lists 36 technical divisions, from advanced energy systems and aerospace engineering to solid-waste engineering and textile engineering.
The breadth of the mechanical engineering discipline allows students a variety of career options beyond the industries listed above. Regardless of the particular path they envision for themselves, a mechanical engineering education empowers students with creative thinking skills to design an exciting product or system; analytical tools to achieve their design goals; the ability to overcome all constraints; and the teamwork needed to design, market, and produce a system. These valuable skills can be applied to launch careers in many other fields, such as medicine, law, consulting, management, banking, and finance.
The role of a mechanical engineer is to take a product from an idea to the marketplace. To accomplish this, the mechanical engineer must be able to determine the forces and thermal environment that a product, its parts, or its subsystems will encounter; design them for functionality, aesthetics, and durability; and determine the best manufacturing approach that will ensure operation without failure.
Mechanical engineers play key roles in a wide range of industries including automotive, aerospace, biotechnology, computers, electronics, microelectromechanical systems, energy conversion, robotics and automation, and manufacturing. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) currently lists 36 technical divisions, from advanced energy systems and aerospace engineering to solid-waste engineering and textile engineering.
The breadth of the mechanical engineering discipline allows students a variety of career options beyond the industries listed above. Regardless of the particular path they envision for themselves, a mechanical engineering education empowers students with creative thinking skills to design an exciting product or system; analytical tools to achieve their design goals; the ability to overcome all constraints; and the teamwork needed to design, market, and produce a system. These valuable skills can be applied to launch careers in many other fields, such as medicine, law, consulting, management, banking, and finance.
Brian Edwardson
23
Answers
Updated
Brian’s Answer
Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices.
It's a great industry to be in and will open doors for careers.
My path:
- I started my college career as a mechanical engineer but it burnt me out
- I ended up majoring in economics and business and have had a successful career
- I still think/analyze like an engineer and work with a lot of software engineers
In retrospect I do wish I stayed with mechanical engineering. However, I have friends who did do this and they now make very boring products. Therefore, if you do go down the path I urge you to lean towards projects and technology your are passionate about. There are engineers who make helicopters and there are engineers who make post its. Which one do you want to be?
It's a great industry to be in and will open doors for careers.
My path:
- I started my college career as a mechanical engineer but it burnt me out
- I ended up majoring in economics and business and have had a successful career
- I still think/analyze like an engineer and work with a lot of software engineers
In retrospect I do wish I stayed with mechanical engineering. However, I have friends who did do this and they now make very boring products. Therefore, if you do go down the path I urge you to lean towards projects and technology your are passionate about. There are engineers who make helicopters and there are engineers who make post its. Which one do you want to be?
S Rush
1
Answer
Jacksonville, Florida
Updated
S’s Answer
Hi there! I found a resource on Wikipedia which may help answer some of your questions on mechanical engineering:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanical_engineering
And US News ranked Mechanical Engineering programs at universities and colleges around the country here:
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-mechanical
If you like what you've seen so far I would recommend reaching out to one of the colleges or universities for more information.
You might also see if a family member majored in Mechanical Engineering or knows someone who did. This would give you a chance to talk to someone you are familiar with about Mechanical Engineering..
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanical_engineering
And US News ranked Mechanical Engineering programs at universities and colleges around the country here:
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-mechanical
S recommends the following next steps:
John Oller
Engineer, Project Manager, Quality Manager
159
Answers
Rockford, Illinois
Updated
John’s Answer
Review the info at this website. This will give you more info so you can ask us more questions :) Search for Mechanical Engineer. You can also search any other fields as well.
www.bls.gov/ooh
www.bls.gov/ooh