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I'm in high school and like hands-on projects. What should I pursue, I'm thinking about being a mechanic or an engineer.

I'm in high school and like hands-on projects. What should I pursue, I'm thinking about being a mechanic or an engineer.

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Jen’s Answer

Hello Ivan! I appreciate Dan's answer to this inquiry. As someone with an engineering background, I highly recommend exploring such roles. Presently, I'm employed at 3M and began my journey as a product developer. My expertise lies in material science engineering. In my role, I had the chance to be actively involved in creating a variety of things throughout the years, which I found truly enjoyable. Possessing an engineering degree (regardless of the field) can lead to exciting, hands-on opportunities. However, if your heart is set on becoming a mechanic, I encourage you to trust your instincts. When you discover a career you're passionate about, it hardly feels like work at all. Wishing you nothing but success!
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Anita’s Answer

Hands-on projects are fantastic! Both mechanics and engineers engage in problem-solving and hands-on work, offering great job prospects since society needs both professions. I chose engineering for its wide scope and potential to earn a good income. I suggest students consider the lifestyle they want in the future and determine the necessary income to support it. Mechanics typically earn $36k - $97k per year, while engineers earn $60k - $170k per year on average, according to indeed.com. However, it's not just about money.

As an engineer, I qualified for various jobs, allowing me to explore different roles and industries. I wasn't keen on working in a "loud, dirty, noisy" environment but wanted to contribute positively to people's lives, so I opted for the food industry. Throughout my career, I've worked in machine design (enhancing equipment that produces Cheerios), manufacturing (overseeing maintenance and engineering at a Yoplait plant), project management (assisting in building new manufacturing plants), safety and environmental compliance (ensuring the safety of employees and the environment), and systems engineering (creating production lines for new products – think of the show How It's Made). I always found excitement in my work and continually learned new things.

There are numerous engineering disciplines to explore. To learn more, visit this website: https://swe.org/stem-pathways/.

Anita recommends the following next steps:

There are many types of engineers. Check out this website to learn more: https://swe.org/stem-pathways/.
Check out earning potential of different careers: https://www.indeed.com/career/engineer/salaries?from=whatwhere
Try to find a summer camp that is engineering focused
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Dan’s Answer

Both mechanic and engineer careers can involve hands-on work. Engineering careers offer a wide range of options, allowing you to choose a hands-on focus. Additionally, an engineering degree typically leads to higher salaries, benefits, and career growth compared to a mechanic career, which may involve technical school or on-the-job training. If your grades and ambition allow for an engineering degree, then I would normally suggest engineering over being a mechanic. However, if your true (strong) passion is to be a mechanic then that should take precedence because an engineer who doesn't like being an engineer will not be successful or happy.
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