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Gerson
Student
Canby, Oregon
1
Question
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A few questions! What education is needed to become a mechanical engineer? How does mechanical engineering use chemistry? And do mechanical engineers continue education after employment?!
A high schooler who wants to know about mechanical engineering
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6 answers
Allana Doyle
Network Engineering
3
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Allana’s Answer
Hey Gerson
I graduated as a mechanical engineer Class of 2020. The standard path to become an mechanical engineer would be to go to an ABET accredited university/college that offers the mechanical engineering degree. This will give you the standard mechanical engineering degree that will help you go into any industry that you would want. And in college I only took one chemistry class (Chem 101) which is the standard intro class that everyone takes to meet the requirements. I did have some friends that were also mechanical engineers that took material engineering or pharma engineering courses that are more related to chemistry. So it really depends on how much or how little chemistry you want to take to get your mech e degree.
And YES I think most mechanical engineers continue education after employment to help them with their jobs. I'm currently a network engineer and I've taken courses within my company to learn what network engineers do which I didn't learn in college at all. I also try to take leadership courses and anything else that my company offers to keep learning and growing in my career. There are also a ton of linkedin or coursera courses that are helpful for continued learning!
I graduated as a mechanical engineer Class of 2020. The standard path to become an mechanical engineer would be to go to an ABET accredited university/college that offers the mechanical engineering degree. This will give you the standard mechanical engineering degree that will help you go into any industry that you would want. And in college I only took one chemistry class (Chem 101) which is the standard intro class that everyone takes to meet the requirements. I did have some friends that were also mechanical engineers that took material engineering or pharma engineering courses that are more related to chemistry. So it really depends on how much or how little chemistry you want to take to get your mech e degree.
And YES I think most mechanical engineers continue education after employment to help them with their jobs. I'm currently a network engineer and I've taken courses within my company to learn what network engineers do which I didn't learn in college at all. I also try to take leadership courses and anything else that my company offers to keep learning and growing in my career. There are also a ton of linkedin or coursera courses that are helpful for continued learning!
Peter Menegay
Mechanical engineer & software developer
1
Answer
Blacksburg, Virginia
Updated
Peter’s Answer
Hi Gerson,
Generally speaking you need a 4 yr. college degree in engineering to become a mechanical engineer. Most engineering schools offer a mechanical engineering degree but other related degrees are possible, such as engineering mechanics, or engineering physics. One path to doing this is to take alot of math/science classes in high school and then apply to your state university's engineering school. This is often the cheapest way to do it and most states have excellent engineering programs. For an even cheaper option you can attend a community college and get a 2-yr degree in engineering which often qualifies you to transfer to one of your state's 4-yr schools for the last 2 years. My state, Virginia, provides this path and I believe it's true for many states.
As for chemistry, it is one of the foundational sciences for mechanical engineering. If you work in combustion (think gas turbines) you'll be using chemistry. If you need to understand how corrosion affects the strength of the steel structure you just designed, you need chemistry. Chemistry is everywhere. I worked at a chemical plant after graduation (as a mechanical engineer) and although I wasn't directly involved in the chemistry, it helped to understand the chemical processes taking place.
As for continuing education, yes, mechanical engineers continue their education all the time. From that chemical plant I went back to graduate school because I felt I needed to know more. There's always something new to learn and your job will often lead you to having to master some new area of knowledge. Mechanical engineering is quite broad. And another thing: once you're hired it doesn't matter that much what degree you have. You will often be asked to do things outside your specific area. So a desire to learn is critical.
You're asking the right questions. Good luck!
Generally speaking you need a 4 yr. college degree in engineering to become a mechanical engineer. Most engineering schools offer a mechanical engineering degree but other related degrees are possible, such as engineering mechanics, or engineering physics. One path to doing this is to take alot of math/science classes in high school and then apply to your state university's engineering school. This is often the cheapest way to do it and most states have excellent engineering programs. For an even cheaper option you can attend a community college and get a 2-yr degree in engineering which often qualifies you to transfer to one of your state's 4-yr schools for the last 2 years. My state, Virginia, provides this path and I believe it's true for many states.
As for chemistry, it is one of the foundational sciences for mechanical engineering. If you work in combustion (think gas turbines) you'll be using chemistry. If you need to understand how corrosion affects the strength of the steel structure you just designed, you need chemistry. Chemistry is everywhere. I worked at a chemical plant after graduation (as a mechanical engineer) and although I wasn't directly involved in the chemistry, it helped to understand the chemical processes taking place.
As for continuing education, yes, mechanical engineers continue their education all the time. From that chemical plant I went back to graduate school because I felt I needed to know more. There's always something new to learn and your job will often lead you to having to master some new area of knowledge. Mechanical engineering is quite broad. And another thing: once you're hired it doesn't matter that much what degree you have. You will often be asked to do things outside your specific area. So a desire to learn is critical.
You're asking the right questions. Good luck!
Kevin Joseph Connors Jr
Just your average rocket scientist
5
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Kevin Joseph’s Answer
Great Questions!!
Let's answer these piece by piece.
What education is needed to become a mechanical engineer?
To become an official mechanical engineer, it's required to attend and graduate at an ABET accredited college/university (ABET: Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology). Colleges that are capable of this status show that they provide a courses within the standards to teach engineering on the same level necessary to educate students on par with the professional engineering industry.
Even before that though, engineering starts with early pre college math! The further you can pursue in math pre-college, the easier and faster your college courses will be when you do get to that point.
How does mechanical engineering use chemistry?
The great thing that I enjoy about being a mechanical engineer, is that we learn to work with everything!
College prepares you to work with all different types of engineering disciplines, from chemical to civil to electrical to aero, and everything in and take with you forever, and they get an employee who is more knowledgeable to their business!
Do mechanical engineers continue education after employment?!
Of Course! I get to learn things every day! Even after college you'll find that you still don't know everything. You're bound to continue learning the tricks of the trade in whatever job you get when you start to work. Sometimes you can also find a company that may pay for you to further your education in university to attain additional degrees. This is great because you're furthering your education by learning and attaining an additional degree which you'll keep forever and be able to use on your resume, while also being a greater benefit to your company and likely earning a higher income as well. It's an all around win!
Hope that helps!!! 👋
Let's answer these piece by piece.
What education is needed to become a mechanical engineer?
To become an official mechanical engineer, it's required to attend and graduate at an ABET accredited college/university (ABET: Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology). Colleges that are capable of this status show that they provide a courses within the standards to teach engineering on the same level necessary to educate students on par with the professional engineering industry.
Even before that though, engineering starts with early pre college math! The further you can pursue in math pre-college, the easier and faster your college courses will be when you do get to that point.
How does mechanical engineering use chemistry?
The great thing that I enjoy about being a mechanical engineer, is that we learn to work with everything!
College prepares you to work with all different types of engineering disciplines, from chemical to civil to electrical to aero, and everything in and take with you forever, and they get an employee who is more knowledgeable to their business!
Do mechanical engineers continue education after employment?!
Of Course! I get to learn things every day! Even after college you'll find that you still don't know everything. You're bound to continue learning the tricks of the trade in whatever job you get when you start to work. Sometimes you can also find a company that may pay for you to further your education in university to attain additional degrees. This is great because you're furthering your education by learning and attaining an additional degree which you'll keep forever and be able to use on your resume, while also being a greater benefit to your company and likely earning a higher income as well. It's an all around win!
Hope that helps!!! 👋
Ray Koch
Mechanical Reliability Engineer
29
Answers
Indianapolis, Indiana
Updated
Ray’s Answer
Hi Gerson!
To become a mechanical engineer you will need classes like chemistry, physics and calculus as well as things like statics, CAD drawing, dynamics, heat transfer and thermodynamics. Then additionally depending on your university and their requirements you many study things like material science, machines and mechanisms, energy systems, robotics, optimization, 3D cad, computer programing...the list goes on.
Chemistry is one of the fundamentals that many of those later classes are built on. Personally I work in a chemical plant, so having a Chemistry background helps me in understanding the various reactions that take place in my facility and how that can effect the equipment and what materials of construction, or decontamination equipment needs before it can be repaired.
Continuing education through additional courses and certifications, seminars, etc. or even getting further degrees (Masters, MBA, PhD) is something that any occupation should do. As time goes by, technology and innovation changes things and it is important to stay up to date on new findings in order to progress in one's career. I believe that learning should be a life long pursuit and even of one is not in school they should not stop seeking knowledge.
To become a mechanical engineer you will need classes like chemistry, physics and calculus as well as things like statics, CAD drawing, dynamics, heat transfer and thermodynamics. Then additionally depending on your university and their requirements you many study things like material science, machines and mechanisms, energy systems, robotics, optimization, 3D cad, computer programing...the list goes on.
Chemistry is one of the fundamentals that many of those later classes are built on. Personally I work in a chemical plant, so having a Chemistry background helps me in understanding the various reactions that take place in my facility and how that can effect the equipment and what materials of construction, or decontamination equipment needs before it can be repaired.
Continuing education through additional courses and certifications, seminars, etc. or even getting further degrees (Masters, MBA, PhD) is something that any occupation should do. As time goes by, technology and innovation changes things and it is important to stay up to date on new findings in order to progress in one's career. I believe that learning should be a life long pursuit and even of one is not in school they should not stop seeking knowledge.
Your advice was so helpful!
Gerson
Brian Swain
Mechanical Engineer
23
Answers
Modesto, California
Updated
Brian’s Answer
Generally speaking, in order to become a Mechanical Engineer you'll need to attend an ABET accredited university that offers Mechanical Engineering as a major. Here you will learn alot of the physics and mathematical principles of engineering.
To get through college, you'll need to have a very good understanding of and aptitude for mathematics as well as a good sense for physical objects.
Depending on the university you attend, you may learn technical hands on skills such as soldering, basic power tool, measuring devices and basic machine shop tools. However I find that community colleges are a much better source for these skillsets. For starting out, I highly recommend you get yourself a copy of "Machinery's Handbook", usually you can find a used older edition in Ebay for a reasonable price.
To get through college, you'll need to have a very good understanding of and aptitude for mathematics as well as a good sense for physical objects.
Depending on the university you attend, you may learn technical hands on skills such as soldering, basic power tool, measuring devices and basic machine shop tools. However I find that community colleges are a much better source for these skillsets. For starting out, I highly recommend you get yourself a copy of "Machinery's Handbook", usually you can find a used older edition in Ebay for a reasonable price.
Bryce Hoffer
OLDP Superintendent
2
Answers
Topeka, Kansas
Updated
Bryce’s Answer
Hello Gerson,
I am a recent college graduate (May 2022) with a M.E.
Ms. Ray did an excellent job explaining the requirements to be a M.E. I would also like to add onto her answer as well. Furthering your education cannot hurt you nor can it “immediately” help you either.
Just because you get a engineering degree does not mean you are guaranteed a job after graduation, the same is true with higher education. It’s based imo, on experience and work ethic. Education are just tools to help you open up more doors in life that otherwise, may be harder to open without it.
Most companies including mine usually offer tuition assistance if not completely pay for higher education!
I am a recent college graduate (May 2022) with a M.E.
Ms. Ray did an excellent job explaining the requirements to be a M.E. I would also like to add onto her answer as well. Furthering your education cannot hurt you nor can it “immediately” help you either.
Just because you get a engineering degree does not mean you are guaranteed a job after graduation, the same is true with higher education. It’s based imo, on experience and work ethic. Education are just tools to help you open up more doors in life that otherwise, may be harder to open without it.
Most companies including mine usually offer tuition assistance if not completely pay for higher education!
Thank you for taking the time to help.
Gerson