2 answers
Cameron
Student
Summerville, South Carolina
2
Questions
Asked
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What would be the better choice? Building diesel engines or being a diesel mechanic?
Was looking at careers in the diesel area and was curious which was the better path. #engineering #career
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2 answers
Francisco Torres Diaz
Industrial Engineer, MSE, MBA
67
Answers
Columbus, Indiana
Updated
Francisco’s Answer
Hi Cameron,
Interesting question. I actually work for Cummins, one of the largest Diesel engine manufacturers in the world. I guess my answer would depend on what you mean by building Diesel engines. If you refer to being part of the operators assembling the engine or work on a facility where the engine is built or put into the truck or vehicle then that's a good career path, that won't require much preparation. We hire all types of people to work on our facilities and they are the ones building the components and the finished engines with aid of equipment and technology.
If you rather are thinking of a path through college, like being a mechanical or manufacturing engineer, then I'd say this is a much better choice. With an engineering degree you could be part of the teams designing the new engine or coming up with better ways to get the engines build faster or with better quality or with improved specs. Cummins has wonderful careers in manufacturing, engineering, and even engine service, so you could even lead a team of technicians who repair engines in the field, and support them with your expert knowledge in the engine.
Diesel mechanic I think is an interest middle ground option between the both alternatives I describe above. Mechanic need to complete trainings and certifications which are often part of a program in a community college or some technical degrees in universities. You could make a very good career working servicing engines in the field, helping customers replace damaged components, and get to work on engines that were installed decades ago. Depending on your career aspirations this could also lead to management roles, leading a team of technicians or a shop of mechanics dedicated to repair, service, and install Diesel engines.
I believe any of the three options are good, it all depends on what area interests you more and what would you like to do with your career.
Hope this helps answer your question. Best of luck!
Interesting question. I actually work for Cummins, one of the largest Diesel engine manufacturers in the world. I guess my answer would depend on what you mean by building Diesel engines. If you refer to being part of the operators assembling the engine or work on a facility where the engine is built or put into the truck or vehicle then that's a good career path, that won't require much preparation. We hire all types of people to work on our facilities and they are the ones building the components and the finished engines with aid of equipment and technology.
If you rather are thinking of a path through college, like being a mechanical or manufacturing engineer, then I'd say this is a much better choice. With an engineering degree you could be part of the teams designing the new engine or coming up with better ways to get the engines build faster or with better quality or with improved specs. Cummins has wonderful careers in manufacturing, engineering, and even engine service, so you could even lead a team of technicians who repair engines in the field, and support them with your expert knowledge in the engine.
Diesel mechanic I think is an interest middle ground option between the both alternatives I describe above. Mechanic need to complete trainings and certifications which are often part of a program in a community college or some technical degrees in universities. You could make a very good career working servicing engines in the field, helping customers replace damaged components, and get to work on engines that were installed decades ago. Depending on your career aspirations this could also lead to management roles, leading a team of technicians or a shop of mechanics dedicated to repair, service, and install Diesel engines.
I believe any of the three options are good, it all depends on what area interests you more and what would you like to do with your career.
Hope this helps answer your question. Best of luck!
Mickael Rosenberg
Software Engineer
261
Answers
Bellevue, Washington
Updated
Mickael’s Answer
Hi Cameron,
I think that really depends on how long you are ready to study. If you want to build, as design, diesel engine, you are probably up for at least a Bachelor degree. I would consider this, personally, as a better choice as it opens other paths for the future (see Francisco Torres Diaz response).
If you are not up to long studies, and what you mean by build is working as a technician in assembly line, I personally think the diesel mechanic is a slightly better choice as, as I see it, would let you choose the assembly line or the actual mechanic, and the latter seems to be more interesting in my eyes than the former. Again Francisco Torres Diaz has a very complete answer for you.
I hope it helped.
I think that really depends on how long you are ready to study. If you want to build, as design, diesel engine, you are probably up for at least a Bachelor degree. I would consider this, personally, as a better choice as it opens other paths for the future (see Francisco Torres Diaz response).
If you are not up to long studies, and what you mean by build is working as a technician in assembly line, I personally think the diesel mechanic is a slightly better choice as, as I see it, would let you choose the assembly line or the actual mechanic, and the latter seems to be more interesting in my eyes than the former. Again Francisco Torres Diaz has a very complete answer for you.
I hope it helped.