Mechanical Engineering Overview

The Field - Preparation - Accreditation -

Day in the Life - Professional Societies - Earnings

The Field
Mechanical engineering is one of the largest, broadest, and oldest
engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers use the principles of
energy, materials, and mechanics to design and manufacture
machines and devices of all types. They create the processes and
systems that drive technology and industry. The key characteristics of
the profession are its breadth, flexibility, and individuality. The career
paths of mechanical engineers are largely determined by individual
choices, a decided advantage in a changing world.

Mechanics, energy and heat, mathematics, engineering sciences,

design and manufacturing form the foundation of mechanical
engineering. Mechanics includes fluids, ranging from still water to
hypersonic gases flowing around a space vehicle; it involves the
motion of anything from a particle to a machine or complex structure.

Mechanical engineers research, design, develop, manufacture, and test tools, engines,
machines, and other mechanical devices. Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest
engineering disciplines. Engineers in this discipline work on power-producing machines such
as electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines. They also
work on power-using machines such as refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, machine
tools, material-handling systems, elevators and escalators, industrial production equipment,
and robots used in manufacturing. Some mechanical engineers design tools that other
engineers need for their work. In addition, mechanical engineers work in manufacturing or
agriculture production, maintenance, or technical sales; many become administrators or
managers.

Preparation
A bachelor’s degree in engineering is required for almost all
entry-level engineering jobs. Graduates with a degree in a
physical science or mathematics occasionally may qualify for
some engineering jobs, especially in specialties in high demand.
Most engineering degrees are granted in electrical, electronics,
mechanical, chemical, civil, or materials engineering. However,
engineers trained in one branch may work in related branches.

"Mechanical Engineering Overview"

Prepared by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.
More details and additional information is at www.careercornerstone.org.
For example, many aerospace engineers have training in mechanical engineering. This
flexibility allows employers to meet staffing needs in new technologies and specialties in which
engineers may be in short supply. It also allows engineers to shift to fields with better
employment prospects or to those that more closely match their interests. Most engineering
programs involve a concentration of study in an engineering specialty, along with courses in
both mathematics and science. Most programs include a design course, sometimes
accompanied by a computer or laboratory class or both.

Admission Requirements
Admissions requirements for undergraduate engineering
schools include a solid background in mathematics (algebra,
geometry, trigonometry, and calculus) and science (biology,
chemistry, and physics), and courses in history, humanities,
and computer and information technology. Bachelor’s degree
programs in engineering typically are designed to last 4 years,
but many students find that it takes between 4 and 5 years to
complete their studies. In a typical 4-year university curriculum,
the first 2 years are spent studying mathematics, basic
sciences, introductory engineering, humanities, and social
sciences. In the last 2 years, most courses are in engineering, usually with a concentration in
one branch. Mechanical engineering programs provide more than technical training: they teach
the more sophisticated skills of analysis and problem-solving that apply to most any type of
engineering, manufacturing, business ventures, management, or even legal practice.

Co-ops and Work Experience Programs

Internships, coops, or sandwich year work experience programs provide students with a great
opportunity to gain real-world experience while still in school. In addition to giving students
direct experience in the field they are considering, interaction with others in the field can help
provide perspective on career path options.

Graduate Training
Graduate training is essential for engineering faculty positions and many research and
development programs, but is not required for the majority of entry-level engineering jobs.
Many engineers obtain graduate degrees in engineering or business administration to learn
new technology and broaden their education. Many high-level executives in government and
industry began their careers as engineers.

Accreditation
Those interested in a career in engineering should consider reviewing engineering programs
that are accredited by the official accrediting agency for their country. More details are at
www.accreditation.org, but in general, accreditation helps ensure that a program offers a
consistently high standard of education in a specific field. The process of accreditation also
serves to foster self-examination by universities; to develop a dialog between constituents of
educational programs on content, methods, and outcomes; and to encourage continuous
improvement of academic programs.

"Mechanical Engineering Overview"

Prepared by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.
More details and additional information is at www.careercornerstone.org.
Day in the Life
Beginning engineering graduates usually work under the supervision of experienced engineers
and, in large companies, also may receive formal classroom or seminar-type training. As new
engineers gain knowledge and experience, they are assigned more difficult projects with
greater independence to develop designs, solve problems, and make decisions. Engineers
may advance to become technical specialists or to supervise a staff or team of engineers and
technicians. Some may eventually become engineering managers or enter sales jobs.

Teams and Coworkers

Almost all jobs in engineering require some sort of interaction with coworkers. Whether they
are working in a team situation, or just asking for advice, most engineers have to have the
ability to communicate and work with other people. Engineers should be creative, inquisitive,
analytical, and detail-oriented. They should be able to work as part of a team and to
communicate well, both orally and in writing. Communication abilities are important because
engineers often interact with specialists in a wide range of fields outside engineering.

Tasks
Mechanical engineers develop products and services to meet the customer needs and cost
objectives identified by corporate management. Mechanical engineers advise financial and
marketing managers on the feasibility of new initiatives, and when all systems are "go," they
design and build the production facilities. Early-career mechanical engineers tend to spend
more time doing testing lab and field work than their more experienced colleagues.

The Workplace
Mechanical Engineers work in many different settings, most often as a matter of choice and
career planning. They differ in the type of workplace, the problems to be solved, and work
schedule. Some mechanical engineers work in the design centers and headquarters facilities
of high-tech companies, some prefer working in the field, and some travel overseas to serve
clients and to develop new markets for products and services. There's a good chance that you
won't spend all your waking hours sitting at a workstation.

Professional Societies
Professional organizations and associations provide a wide range of resources for planning
and navigating a career in engineering. These groups can play a key role in your development
and keep you abreast of what is happening in your industry. Many offer opportunities for
university students to become members and provide programs and resources to pre-university
students considering a career path.

Earnings
Earnings for engineers vary significantly by specialty, industry, location, and education. Even
so, as a group, engineers earn some of the highest average starting salaries among those
holding bachelor's degrees. Many professional societies keep track of earnings in their area of
focus and geographic base.
"Mechanical Engineering Overview"
Prepared by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.
More details and additional information is at www.careercornerstone.org.