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I like to build things and I love working on fixing things.. is mechanical engineering good for me?
confused on what i would like to do
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4 answers
Updated
Ray’s Answer
Hi Wesley!
I know many people believe that to be successful and have a great career you need to go to college, but I will be honest, as the baby boomers retire there is a HUGE gap in the skilled trades, which means that people with those skills will be in high demand. If you enjoy building and repairing things I highly recommend trade school and not getting an engineering degree. I am mechanical engineer and honestly it is very rare for me to actually be in the shop getting my hands dirty, why? Because in any union shop, as a salary employee you are considered management and not allowed to touch a ANYTHING. Not every manufacturing plant out there is union and there are different union environments but even in non union shops but in my experiance the actual building and fixing is done by the mechanics and the engineers are more technical guidance.
I know many people believe that to be successful and have a great career you need to go to college, but I will be honest, as the baby boomers retire there is a HUGE gap in the skilled trades, which means that people with those skills will be in high demand. If you enjoy building and repairing things I highly recommend trade school and not getting an engineering degree. I am mechanical engineer and honestly it is very rare for me to actually be in the shop getting my hands dirty, why? Because in any union shop, as a salary employee you are considered management and not allowed to touch a ANYTHING. Not every manufacturing plant out there is union and there are different union environments but even in non union shops but in my experiance the actual building and fixing is done by the mechanics and the engineers are more technical guidance.
Updated
Atul’s Answer
You can build in many industries.
You can be a construction worker and build homes.
You can be a rocket scientist to build a rocket.
You can be aeronautics engineer to build airplanes.
You can be a Robotics Engineer to build Robots.
You can be a software developer to make wide range of products.
The same rule applies for fixing things too.
You can be a construction worker and build homes.
You can be a rocket scientist to build a rocket.
You can be aeronautics engineer to build airplanes.
You can be a Robotics Engineer to build Robots.
You can be a software developer to make wide range of products.
The same rule applies for fixing things too.
Updated
Keri’s Answer
It depends what you like to build- as Atul mentioned - you have lots of opportunities to choose from!
Do you want to design and fix generators / machines ? Mechanical Engineer
Do you want to fix communication towers, /structures? Civil Engineering
Best of luck
Do you want to design and fix generators / machines ? Mechanical Engineer
Do you want to fix communication towers, /structures? Civil Engineering
Best of luck
Updated
Kris’s Answer
Engineers are problem solvers. choosing a specific engineering discipline right away isn't necessarily that important. You do need to determine if you enjoy logical thinking processes and mathematics. It takes an analytical mind to solve problems. If you are certain engineering is what you want to do there are many many different disciplines. Industrial Engineers, Manufacturing Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Civil Engineers, Chemical Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Environmental Engineers, Construction Engineers, and I'm sure many more.
Different universities offer different engineering degrees. So look at the universities to see what they offer. The broadest discipline is probably civil engineering. Civil Engineers do a little bit of everything.
Different universities offer different engineering degrees. So look at the universities to see what they offer. The broadest discipline is probably civil engineering. Civil Engineers do a little bit of everything.