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John
Student
Glen Allen, Virginia
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What is the work load like for a mechanical Engineer?
I am a high school senior with a background in robotics entering the UVA engineering school in the fall. What is the work load like for a mechanical engineer? #Spring25
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4 answers
Teklemuz Ayenew Tesfay
Electrical engineer, researcher and Software Developer
210
Answers
Ethiopia
Updated
Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer
Hello,
With your robotics background, you’re in a strong position to excel in mechanical engineering. In your first year, you'll dive into foundational courses such as calculus, physics, and chemistry. Expect to spend around 30–40 hours per week on coursework. As you progress into your sophomore and junior years, the workload will intensify with core mechanical engineering courses like thermodynamics, materials science, and mechanical design. At this stage, your weekly commitment may increase to 40–50 hours, especially with the addition of labs, workshops, and group projects. Your senior year will bring a capstone project and specialized electives.
To manage the increased workload, consider using productivity tools such as Notion or Trello to track assignments and tasks. Familiarize yourself with CAD tools like SolidWorks, and programming software like MATLAB and Python, all of which are available through UVA. To gain practical experience, aim to secure an internship or volunteer position by the summer after your sophomore year through UVA’s Center for Engineering Career Development (CECD). Joining clubs like Virginia Robotics and Baja SAE will offer hands-on opportunities to supplement your learning.
Keep building side projects for your portfolio, utilize UVA's maker spaces, and don’t forget to manage your mental health. Building relationships with professors is key for future opportunities. With the right mindset and approach skills, you’ll thrive!
With your robotics background, you’re in a strong position to excel in mechanical engineering. In your first year, you'll dive into foundational courses such as calculus, physics, and chemistry. Expect to spend around 30–40 hours per week on coursework. As you progress into your sophomore and junior years, the workload will intensify with core mechanical engineering courses like thermodynamics, materials science, and mechanical design. At this stage, your weekly commitment may increase to 40–50 hours, especially with the addition of labs, workshops, and group projects. Your senior year will bring a capstone project and specialized electives.
To manage the increased workload, consider using productivity tools such as Notion or Trello to track assignments and tasks. Familiarize yourself with CAD tools like SolidWorks, and programming software like MATLAB and Python, all of which are available through UVA. To gain practical experience, aim to secure an internship or volunteer position by the summer after your sophomore year through UVA’s Center for Engineering Career Development (CECD). Joining clubs like Virginia Robotics and Baja SAE will offer hands-on opportunities to supplement your learning.
Keep building side projects for your portfolio, utilize UVA's maker spaces, and don’t forget to manage your mental health. Building relationships with professors is key for future opportunities. With the right mindset and approach skills, you’ll thrive!
Bryan Mayberry
Mechanical Design Engineer
14
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Bryan’s Answer
From a professional stand point, it varies greatly. Working at a FANG company or a start up, you are going to be working long hours and taking on a lot of responsibility, working with a lot of different vendors overseas, and managing multiple projects. Some people thrive on this, and love the hustle, and the money that comes along with it, but not every mechanical engineering job is like that. You can work a normal 9-5 as a mechanical engineer, don't let anyone tell you other wise.
From a student stand point, it will definitely be a bit harder of a course load than some other majors but isn't anything that will make life too difficult to also have a great social life. Stay on top of your studies, don't cram, and try to take some summer classes to make the fall and spring semesters a bit easier and you should be set.
From a student stand point, it will definitely be a bit harder of a course load than some other majors but isn't anything that will make life too difficult to also have a great social life. Stay on top of your studies, don't cram, and try to take some summer classes to make the fall and spring semesters a bit easier and you should be set.
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1877
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
John you can work anywhere, mechanical engineers work a wide variety of roles designing, building, and maintaining machinery. The sky is the limit with career opportunities in manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, construction, with opportunities in product design, systems engineering, or manufacturing.
NASA
NASA is a well-known organization with locations across the country. Mechanical engineers collaborate with scientists and other types of engineers to help design and produce space software and technology. If you're interested in space, NASA might be a great fit for you. Employees report high satisfaction in areas such as happiness, culture, management, work-life balance and benefits.
GOOGLE
As one of the largest technology companies in the world, Google works to bring information to a global audience. At Google, mechanical engineers create and refine hardware systems. They produce and test software for the internal company and customers. Google scores high in terms of work happiness and employee support. Many employees also cite Google's work flexibility and company culture as important benefits.
U.S. NAVY
The military is often looking for mechanical engineers to help design and produce naval technology. If you love learning new things and want to feel a strong sense of purpose in your career, the U.S. Department of the Navy might be a good company for you. Employees give the company high scores in both learning opportunities and a sense of purpose. There are locations in many major cities and some coastal towns.
THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY
The Walt Disney Company specializes in entertainment production. If you like to think creatively, The Walt Disney Company may be a good choice for your mechanical engineering career. Disney encourages employees to create new ideas in entertainment such as new amusement park rides and experiences. The Walt Disney Company scores high in many areas including work happiness and employee appreciation.
BOEING
Boeing, a leading aerospace company, produces airplane, space and defense technologies. Mechanical engineers work to design and refine these products. Employees rank Boeing as an above average company in many areas, including work happiness, compensation and learning opportunities.
CONCLUSION
Pursuing a mechanical engineering career path offers a range of high-paying job opportunities across industries like aerospace, robotics, energy, and manufacturing. The best jobs for mechanical engineers today require a blend of technical expertise in tools like CAD and 3D modeling, along with strong problem-solving and analytical skills. By investing in quality training and staying up-to-date with industry trends, you can secure top positions in mechanical engineering and shape the future of technology John.
NASA
NASA is a well-known organization with locations across the country. Mechanical engineers collaborate with scientists and other types of engineers to help design and produce space software and technology. If you're interested in space, NASA might be a great fit for you. Employees report high satisfaction in areas such as happiness, culture, management, work-life balance and benefits.
As one of the largest technology companies in the world, Google works to bring information to a global audience. At Google, mechanical engineers create and refine hardware systems. They produce and test software for the internal company and customers. Google scores high in terms of work happiness and employee support. Many employees also cite Google's work flexibility and company culture as important benefits.
U.S. NAVY
The military is often looking for mechanical engineers to help design and produce naval technology. If you love learning new things and want to feel a strong sense of purpose in your career, the U.S. Department of the Navy might be a good company for you. Employees give the company high scores in both learning opportunities and a sense of purpose. There are locations in many major cities and some coastal towns.
THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY
The Walt Disney Company specializes in entertainment production. If you like to think creatively, The Walt Disney Company may be a good choice for your mechanical engineering career. Disney encourages employees to create new ideas in entertainment such as new amusement park rides and experiences. The Walt Disney Company scores high in many areas including work happiness and employee appreciation.
BOEING
Boeing, a leading aerospace company, produces airplane, space and defense technologies. Mechanical engineers work to design and refine these products. Employees rank Boeing as an above average company in many areas, including work happiness, compensation and learning opportunities.
CONCLUSION
Pursuing a mechanical engineering career path offers a range of high-paying job opportunities across industries like aerospace, robotics, energy, and manufacturing. The best jobs for mechanical engineers today require a blend of technical expertise in tools like CAD and 3D modeling, along with strong problem-solving and analytical skills. By investing in quality training and staying up-to-date with industry trends, you can secure top positions in mechanical engineering and shape the future of technology John.
David C Byram
Mechanical Design Engineering / Educator
40
Answers
Palm Coast, Florida
Updated
David C’s Answer
When you start a job, what to expect can vary a lot. In large companies, you might find many people in your field, each with specific skills, so tasks are shared. In smaller companies, budgets are tight, and you might be the only mechanical engineer, making you very busy. Sometimes, others can help, but they might not have the same level of expertise.
In most of my jobs, I had to take on different roles. Because there aren't enough qualified applicants today, it's important to learn how to prioritize and delegate tasks. Being flexible and adaptable makes you valuable to your employer. You also need to handle situations where too much is expected of you and communicate this professionally to your boss. This means showing your priorities and suggesting ways to manage tasks or projects.
By doing this, you'll become a valuable and desirable employee.
In most of my jobs, I had to take on different roles. Because there aren't enough qualified applicants today, it's important to learn how to prioritize and delegate tasks. Being flexible and adaptable makes you valuable to your employer. You also need to handle situations where too much is expected of you and communicate this professionally to your boss. This means showing your priorities and suggesting ways to manage tasks or projects.
By doing this, you'll become a valuable and desirable employee.