Mechanical Engineer Career Guide and Counseling

Question: mechanical engineer ? i want to become a mechanical engineer but i don't know where to start. is it better to start going to a community college then transfer or is it better to go to a university.

Answer: Getting the basics at a community college is a very good idea as long as you can transfer the credits to the university you plan on attending. That is very important.

Question: What kind of job does Mechanical Engineer can have? I'm a grad student, and My major is mechanical engineering technology. I'm planning to graduate in May 2008. I'm also working on a project with ESD (Electronic System Department). I'm wondering after I graduate what kind of job I can get in industry for mechanical engineer. As I know, the EE and CS students are the most popular applicant right now. Could someone tell me what mechanical engineer can do any area in industry? Welcome to write some comments and opinion. Thanks!

Answer: You are kidding, right? I mean, you are a grad, and you do not know? Have you ever met with someone in the industry? Spoken with your teachers? Met with a former student who is working? I could fill BOOKS about what mechanical engineers do, but instead I will just ask you to look around. Anything that moves, anything that has to bear a load in a cyclical fashion, and anything that was made to made those things had to be designed by a mechanical engineer at a point or another. Sizing, material selection, cost analysis, manufacturing process, that is what mechanical engineers do. It is so rich and varied that you can dislike 90% of things mechanical engineers do, and still have too many things you like to choose from. I am really surprised that you do not know. Honest. When I decided to become an engineer 30 years ago, it is because I knew what the work was. That knowledge came BEFORE I went into university.

Question: Is it possible for a mechanical engineer to become a flight engineer? I am currently doing my final year mechanical engineering and I would like to become a flight engineer with a major airline company. I am also planning to take up a course in cpl. can anyone please provide more information and tell me if it is possible to become a flight engineer and if i should have to convert my mechanical engg degree.

Answer: The answer is yes. However ( You knew that was coming :-) ) A degree in engineering although very valuable cannot in any way be converted to a flight engineer certificate. This is a separate course of study. Keep in mind most major airline companies no longer operate aircraft that require a flight engineer. With the notable exception of the major cargo carriers, ie UPS and Fedex. Again however these aircraft will also be replaced in the not too distant future. A cpl backed by your degree and flight time obtained any way you can may be a better way to go.

Question: Can anyone recommend an industry in which Mechanical Engineer actual get to do design work? I'm a mechanical engineer working on my Masters Degree. I work in the medical industry and 98%of my work in project management. I truly love mechanical engineering and the basic science behind it but I never get to use it. Can anyone recommend industries in which mechanical engineers actually get to do engineering work as their primary activity?

Answer: I work in the steel manufacturing industry as a process improvement engineer and use statistics solve problems... we ME's are usually found in manufacturing such as automotive, industrial, energy, food, consumer products, even biomedical... look on Monster.com to get a flavor of what ME's are being asked to do. However, understand that there will always be project management and administrative tasks no matter where you work.

Question: What subjects would a mechanical engineer need to take? My friend wants to be a mechanical engineer, preferably working for a worldwide company. He is taking physics, maths, further maths, but he needs to choose between taking design technology and german. Which would be more useful? Thank youu!

Answer: Design and technology would be more useful. And now i'm a sophomore majoring in aerospace engineering.

Question: What are the job opportunities for a mechanical engineer in the automotive industry in the near future? What kinds of jobs are availible for a mechanical engineer? I am interested in cars...What is the pay like? Where would I work? What is the starting salary working for a car company? Is it hard or easy to find work at car companies in mechanical engineering? Does the college you graduate from matter?Any personal experiences, opinions, or advice?

Answer: The automotive industry is not a growth industry, having a job in an industry which is shrinking sucks. Maybe get a job someplace else and see cars asa hobby.

Question: How much would a mechanical engineer earn? I wanted to know how much a mechanical engineer graduated from the 4 year course from a good university will earn around 4 years after their graduation. Can you also tell me if there is any chance of being jobless. By the way i am talking about people who have specialized in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Aerospace and Aerothermal Engineering. Thanks. in the united kingdom

Answer: i believe you are looking at around 50-60k starting and it goes up with more experience. it will reach around 80k after 20 years of experience.(obviously it depends on the area you live in too). if you pursue a masters just basically add another 10k to your salary(dont get a masters for the extra money, only do it if it interests you because the pay out is pretty much almost the same if you consider the time you spend and the money of tuition etc) and i believe engineering careers are always in demand

Question: What options are available for a mechanical engineer that hates the office job and wants field work? I'm a 23 year old mechanical engineer. I've had experience (well not much considering my age) with both the office engineering job and the field engineering job. And after doing the office job for about a year, I know that I can't last in the environment. So I was wondering what my options are. I've been looking into environmental engineering and civil engineering, but I don't know if the companies would be willing to take the time to train me. I'm looking for an engineering job that is not only outdoors and exciting, but also challenging and rewarding. Simply put, I don't have the capacity or energy to sit and stare at a computer all day, every day until I retire. Any feedback is greatly appreciated. P.S. I live in southern California, if that helps.

Answer: I was going to school for electrical engineering and after going on a couple of informational interviews and really getting a look at Corporate America for my field I was not excited. I was actually totally freaking out. I thought I had wasted so much time and energy going to school but that if I didn't get a great job that went with my degree then I would never make any serious money. If you would like to talk contact me directly.

Question: Where can I find an interested Mechanical Engineer to become my business partner? I have an idea for an electro-mechanical consumer product. I also have a background in computer science, electrical engineering and programming, but my mechanical skills suck. I have a full time job and would like to build this prototype on a part-time basis in my spare time time with my own resources. How can I find someone who is a mechanical engineer who would want to take a part in this venture?

Answer: Spread the word to contacts in your network and have them talk to people in their technical circles. Maybe you'll get lucky and find someone with time and interest. Hire an undergrad ME student with appropriate design experience from a local university over the summer for a couple grand. Maybe you can find a wiz Ph.D. design student who could use some extra cash on the side. Another approach might be to teach yourself what you need to know about materials, machine design, or whatever and put together a really solid product to pitch to venture capitol, a company, or consultant. Might want to talk to any business contacts you have about options for the invention process, or read some books on the topic.

Question: How to describe whaty a Mechanical Engineer does to....? How to describe whaty a Mechanical Engineer does to....? How can i describe in simple terms what a mechanical engineer does to my class tommrow? Thanks

Answer: Mechanical engineers design and develop everything you think of as a machine - from supersonic fighter jets to bicycles to toasters. And they influence the design of other products as well - shoes, light bulbs and even doors. Many mechanical engineers specialize in areas such as manufacturing, robotics, automotive/transportation and air conditioning. Others cross over into other disciplines, working on everything from artificial organs to the expanding field of nanotechnology. And some use their mechanical engineering degree as preparation for the practice of medicine and law. The mechanical engineer may design a component, a machine, a system or a process. Mechanical engineers will analyze their design using the principles of motion, energy, and force to insure the product functions safely, efficiently, reliably, and can be manufactured at a competitive cost. Mechanical engineers work in the automotive, aerospace, chemical, computer, communication, paper, and power generation industries. Mechanical engineers will be found in virtually any manufacturing industry. Increasingly, mechanical engineers are needed in the environmental and bio-medical fields. Indeed virtually every product or service in modern life has probably been touched in some way by a mechanical engineer.