Two focuses of my blog are Career Discussions and Technology. Mechanical engineers are critical to every part of our society. They design and build things which we all need. If you can start a career as a mechanical engineer, the sky will be the limit for you, but with today’s technology, you limit may be beyond the sky. The following contributed post is entitled, Could You Be A Mechanical Engineer.
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Photo by ThisisEngineering RAEng on Unsplash
Mechanical engineers build the machines that build our world. They design, build and test a range of complex devices and machines.
If you are considering mechanical engineering as a potential career then you will want to know what the job entails, what qualifications you need, and what your future career prospects may be.
Here’s a quick rundown of becoming a mechanical engineer.
What Is A Mechanical Engineer?
Mechanical engineers can work in a number of industries including science, defense, and environmental at companies such as https://www.weibel.dk/ and government contractors.
They typically perform the following tasks:
● Develop devices to solve mechanical and thermal problems using computer-aided design and advanced 3-d modeling
● Investigate and diagnose equipment failures
● Prototype design
● Design, run and analyze system tests
The range of products developed by mechanical engineers is very broad including:
● Air-conditioning systems
● Elevators
● Escalators
● Electric generators
● Combustion engines
● Turbines
What Qualifications Do I Need?
Mechanical engineers need a good general standard of education and usually have a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. These degrees incorporate a range of topics including math physics.
Many engineers have followed the traditional route of going straight from high school to college, to an entry-level engineering position. However, there are other ways t get into the industry. Some companies run programs that let you join as an apprentice and let you learn on the job while also undertaking a traditional study on a part-time basis.
What Type Of Person Makes A Good Mechanical Engineer?
Traditionally, most mechanical engineers were men, but that is changing and the industry is becoming much more diverse. There are some traits that most mechanical engineers share, including:
Analytical skills – the job requires a logical mind that is adept at analyzing situations and results.
Problems solving – part of the job is to analyze system failures or experiments.
Creativity – though they create machines, a mechanical engineer needs imagination and creativity to realize their complex machines and systems.
Mathematical skills – a high level of skill in advanced mathematics including statistics and calculus is needed.
Salary Expectations
According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, the average salary for a mechanical engineer last year was just over $88,000. Of those surveyed, salaries ranged from $57,000 to $138,020.
Career Prospects
A mechanical engineer can generally expect to have good career prospects. As they are employed in a range of industries, they are not as affected by the fluctuations in a particular sector.
Those training or working with advanced computational design and simulation tools are in high demand as computer modeling will lessen the need for expensive prototyping. These skills are now taught as standard on most mechanical engineering degrees and as such, graduates trained in these will be in demand.
Conclusion
Those interested in pursuing a career in mechanical engineering can expect to see good career prospects and salaries. Additionally, economic fluctuations in different sectors will not affect mechanical engineers as much due to their prevalence in a number of sectors.
