2 answers
Aurek
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
3
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How long should I stay in mechanical engineering for a good experience?
#mechanical-engineer #engineering
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2 answers
Dan Wolf
Retired Electrical/Software Engineer and part-time College Professor (BSEET and MS Engineering Management)
129
Answers
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Updated
Dan’s Answer
Aurek,
You will learn a lot in the first 1-5 years of your actual working career. Your value will increase noticeably after 2-3 years which usually allows you to change jobs with a nice raise (because you are no longer "entry level"). From that point on (until you retire), you are most likely to continue to learn new things and become more proficient at older skills. If you reach a point where you are not learning new things and are no longer excited about going to work, then you should have the ability to change jobs. Whether you change jobs or stay in a more routine position is something that you will decide for yourself. There is no right or wrong although you should always be comparing your skills against industry trends and using that evaluation to decide if you are still competitive in the industrial marketplace. For example, assume you have been working with a specific Computer Aided Design (CAD) package but it is becoming less popular and most other companies are using a different package. This makes you somewhat less competitive in the workforce so you would have three options: 1) stay where you are and continue using the older CAD package, 2) switch to a different employer that uses the more modern CAD package, or 3) learn the newer CAD package on your own, and encourage your current employer to switch to it.
In summary, learning doesn't have to (ever) end. It's your choice and an engineering career should always be providing many new opportunities for you.
You will learn a lot in the first 1-5 years of your actual working career. Your value will increase noticeably after 2-3 years which usually allows you to change jobs with a nice raise (because you are no longer "entry level"). From that point on (until you retire), you are most likely to continue to learn new things and become more proficient at older skills. If you reach a point where you are not learning new things and are no longer excited about going to work, then you should have the ability to change jobs. Whether you change jobs or stay in a more routine position is something that you will decide for yourself. There is no right or wrong although you should always be comparing your skills against industry trends and using that evaluation to decide if you are still competitive in the industrial marketplace. For example, assume you have been working with a specific Computer Aided Design (CAD) package but it is becoming less popular and most other companies are using a different package. This makes you somewhat less competitive in the workforce so you would have three options: 1) stay where you are and continue using the older CAD package, 2) switch to a different employer that uses the more modern CAD package, or 3) learn the newer CAD package on your own, and encourage your current employer to switch to it.
In summary, learning doesn't have to (ever) end. It's your choice and an engineering career should always be providing many new opportunities for you.
sumani rameshwaram
Senior Software Engineer
3
Answers
Lone Tree, Colorado
Updated
sumani’s Answer
Having 5+ years of work experience gives immense knowledge in the field you work. Mechanical engineering is concerned with the design, production, testing, and development of mechanical systems, which are employed in almost every industry. Mechanical Engineering is popular among because of its adaptability and the variety of employment choices available. Construction, the automobile industry, robotics, the energy sector, and many other industries are available.
You must be a problem solver to be a good mechanical engineer. It implies that you must answer all of the difficult puzzles that stand in your way of your device. You must be inventive. It means you'll have to come up with unique solutions and start from scratch. You must be able to interact with your staff and explain things to your clients.
Good luck!
You must be a problem solver to be a good mechanical engineer. It implies that you must answer all of the difficult puzzles that stand in your way of your device. You must be inventive. It means you'll have to come up with unique solutions and start from scratch. You must be able to interact with your staff and explain things to your clients.
Good luck!