WHAT CAN I DO WITH A DEGREE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING?
Mechanical engineers focus on physical systems, researching, developing, designing,
manufacturing and testing tools, engines, machines, materials or mechanical devices.
Mechanical engineers work in many industries, including automotive, petroleum,
energy generation and conversion, aerospace, tire, chemical, electronic, machinery,
transportation equipment, electrical equipment, instruments, and fabricated
metal products industries. In addition to manufacturing settings, mechanical
engineers also work for government agencies and firms that provide
engineering and consulting services.
Specialties in mechanical engineering include applied mechanics,
computer-aided design and manufacturing, energy systems, control systems,
pressure vessels and piping, and heating, refrigeration and air conditioning
systems, and materials. Mechanical engineers rely extensively on computers for
data processing and to aid in the planning process by simulating new designs.
Er. harminder
The explosive development and expansion in computer technology
has literally changed the face of mechanical engineering.
The drawing board has given way to computeraided-
design (CAD), and sophisticated computational software
tools have enabled mechanical engineers to develop
efficient solutions to complex technical problems. For example,
the emerging high-tech field of nanotechnology is attracting
mechanical engineers to design ultra-miniature machines
and tiny implantable medical devices that navigate the
human body searching for disease and damaged tissue.
Also, the growing concern for the planet and the quality of
life for future generations have spurred continuing efforts by
mechanical engineers to design resource-efficient and recyclable
products and develop equipment and processes to
clean-up existing environmental problems and prevent their
reoccurrence.
These technologies and a host of others will have an impact
on lives in the 21st century, and their development and refinement
require the skills, intuition and creative ability of
mechanical engineers. At the same time, mechanical engineers
are expected to understand and convey the real-world
consequences of technology development alternatives to decision-
makers and the public.
Employment prospects for mechanical engineers are strong,
particularly where local economies are growing. In the
Unites States, for example, the profession is growing by 16
percent, or 35,000 jobs annually, which is a rate of growth
expected to continue to the year 2006.
Industrial sectors in which mechanical engineers have traditionally
made substantial contributions include aerospace,
automotive, chemical, computer and electronics, construction,
consumer products, energy, engineering consulting and
government. In addition, the medical and pharmaceutical
industries present exciting opportunities for mechanical
engineers to join forces with the life sciences. Even the
entertainment industry relies heavily on mechanical engineers
for special effects and amusement park equipment.
The vast majority of this work is done in thousands of companies
ranging from large multi-nationals to small, local
firms. Job functions and responsibilities range from product
and production design engineering and systems design to
power plant operations, quality control and project management.
With experience and further education, some
mechanical engineers move into legal or management
positions that build upon their scientific and technical skills
and expertise. Others choose the path of scholarly
research and teaching. The work of the mechanical engineer
is diverse and worldwide, and the careers of mechanical
engineers are marked by an important common factor -
-- continuous learning.
Er. Harminder