4 answers
Eden
Student
Glendale, Arizona
1
Question
Updated
1373 views
How can I become a mechanical Engineer and what experiences do I need?
I want to become a Mechanical enginner what are ways or what education and experiences do i need to become one.
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4 answers
Mohamed Badran
Project Manager
2
Answers
Richardson, Texas
Updated
Mohamed’s Answer
How to Become a Mechanical Engineer (Quick Summary)
- Get the Degree: Bachelor’s in ME (or start at community college). Key classes: Statics, Thermodynamics, CAD, Materials Science.
- Build Skills: Hands-on tinkering (fix, build, take things apart).
- Learn CAD (SolidWorks, AutoCAD).
- Problem-solving + communication.
Investigate the motivations behind all movement and action. Analyze its operation and the reasons for its current form.
- Gain Experience
- Internships (small companies first).
- Clubs (Robotics, Formula SAE).
- DIY projects (document them!).
- Entry-Level Jobs
- CAD drafter, HVAC tech, machine shop assistant.
- Licenses/Certs (Later)
- FE Exam → PE License (if needed).
- SolidWorks/Six Sigma certs (helpful).
- The Job
- Design, test, or troubleshoot machines.
- Starting salary: $65K–$80K.
Next Step: Start a small project this week (e.g., 3D-print something, fix a bike).
- Get the Degree: Bachelor’s in ME (or start at community college). Key classes: Statics, Thermodynamics, CAD, Materials Science.
- Build Skills: Hands-on tinkering (fix, build, take things apart).
- Learn CAD (SolidWorks, AutoCAD).
- Problem-solving + communication.
Investigate the motivations behind all movement and action. Analyze its operation and the reasons for its current form.
- Gain Experience
- Internships (small companies first).
- Clubs (Robotics, Formula SAE).
- DIY projects (document them!).
- Entry-Level Jobs
- CAD drafter, HVAC tech, machine shop assistant.
- Licenses/Certs (Later)
- FE Exam → PE License (if needed).
- SolidWorks/Six Sigma certs (helpful).
- The Job
- Design, test, or troubleshoot machines.
- Starting salary: $65K–$80K.
Next Step: Start a small project this week (e.g., 3D-print something, fix a bike).
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
735
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Eden,
The field of mechanical engineering is very broad, so there are a lot of opportunities to specialize in different areas depending on your interests and priorities. You might work in manufacturing, in design, in a test lab, in maintenance or in sales. You might end up in robotics, in microfluidics or in materials engineering. Maybe you'll work in the automotive industry, in the aerospace industry, for a medical device manufacturer or one of the many other options. Have a look at job postings for mechanical engineers on LinkedIn or Indeed and you'll get an idea where graduates go and what's required.
For your education, you'll need a bachelors degree for entry level positions. You can earn further certifications to acquire special skills. You can also go on to earn a masters and/or PhD.
To put you on the path to become an engineer, focus on STEM subjects in high-school. You'll need a lot of math and physics in your undergraduate program, also chemistry and biology. There is some overlap with neighboring disciplines like civil engineering, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, etc. Hands-on experience is especially important in engineering. Look for opportunities for internships and summer programs to get some practical skills under your belt.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/what-degree-mechanical-engineer-need
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/mechanical-engineering-major-overview
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/mechanical-engineers.htm
The field of mechanical engineering is very broad, so there are a lot of opportunities to specialize in different areas depending on your interests and priorities. You might work in manufacturing, in design, in a test lab, in maintenance or in sales. You might end up in robotics, in microfluidics or in materials engineering. Maybe you'll work in the automotive industry, in the aerospace industry, for a medical device manufacturer or one of the many other options. Have a look at job postings for mechanical engineers on LinkedIn or Indeed and you'll get an idea where graduates go and what's required.
For your education, you'll need a bachelors degree for entry level positions. You can earn further certifications to acquire special skills. You can also go on to earn a masters and/or PhD.
To put you on the path to become an engineer, focus on STEM subjects in high-school. You'll need a lot of math and physics in your undergraduate program, also chemistry and biology. There is some overlap with neighboring disciplines like civil engineering, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, etc. Hands-on experience is especially important in engineering. Look for opportunities for internships and summer programs to get some practical skills under your belt.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
John Morehouse
Research Lead for Manufacturing
5
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
John’s Answer
Hi Eden,
Building on the great responses above, I would like to emphasize the pieces related to getting some extracurricular and hands-on experiences. I have a background in mechanical engineering and worked in design and manufacturing for several years. Although I enjoyed those roles, my career took some unexpected turns, and now I write about trends in the manufacturing industry - which I really enjoy! Some of the most beneficial experiences for me, both in supporting me in becoming an ME and the work I do today, are the experiences that I had outside of my formal education. Growing up in a rural area, my extracurricular activities included school sports and tinkering with cars and equipment on my family's farm. I would encourage you to try a wide variety of activities related to designing, building and fixing things. As the previous post suggested, start taking things apart and putting them back together. If your school has a theater program, volunteer to work on the set crew so that you can design and build stage pieces. If you can join a robotics club or another STEM club at your school or local YMCA, for example. This approach can hone your skills, broaden your horizons, introduce you to new people, and challenge you to learn in a real-world setting. Perhaps most importantly, it may help you determine what aspects of engineering you like the most. For example, if you joined a robotics club you may find that you like designing in CAD the most, or you may find that you enjoy building and troubleshooting the design. Understanding what gets you excited will help provide you with a "north star" for what you would like to do in a mechanical engineering career. You can then work hard in high school and college to propel you toward what you want to do!
I hope this helps!
Building on the great responses above, I would like to emphasize the pieces related to getting some extracurricular and hands-on experiences. I have a background in mechanical engineering and worked in design and manufacturing for several years. Although I enjoyed those roles, my career took some unexpected turns, and now I write about trends in the manufacturing industry - which I really enjoy! Some of the most beneficial experiences for me, both in supporting me in becoming an ME and the work I do today, are the experiences that I had outside of my formal education. Growing up in a rural area, my extracurricular activities included school sports and tinkering with cars and equipment on my family's farm. I would encourage you to try a wide variety of activities related to designing, building and fixing things. As the previous post suggested, start taking things apart and putting them back together. If your school has a theater program, volunteer to work on the set crew so that you can design and build stage pieces. If you can join a robotics club or another STEM club at your school or local YMCA, for example. This approach can hone your skills, broaden your horizons, introduce you to new people, and challenge you to learn in a real-world setting. Perhaps most importantly, it may help you determine what aspects of engineering you like the most. For example, if you joined a robotics club you may find that you like designing in CAD the most, or you may find that you enjoy building and troubleshooting the design. Understanding what gets you excited will help provide you with a "north star" for what you would like to do in a mechanical engineering career. You can then work hard in high school and college to propel you toward what you want to do!
I hope this helps!
Joseph Campomizzi
Senior Manufacturing Engineer/Mechanical Engineer
6
Answers
Little Falls, New Jersey
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
Hi Eden,
It's very exciting you are interested in becoming a Mechanical Engineer! I have been in this industry about 6 years now and here's some advice to get the ball rolling.
-I'm unsure of your age, but if you're in high school definitely get enrolled in higher level math and physics classes. Every engineering undergraduate program is based in math and physics so these will help you get prepare for the program.
-Get involved in clubs in school. Any kind of club related to robotics, fabrication, or 3D modeling can provide valuable experience.
-3D modeling is also a very important skill. I use programs like SolidWorks and AutoCad daily, so any experience with these programs you can get before college would be great.
-As far as education, you'll need a Bachelors Degree. I did my Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering. There are more specialized degrees you can pursue depending on your interests like Robotics or Aerospace, but this depends on your ambitions.
Best of luck!
Joey
It's very exciting you are interested in becoming a Mechanical Engineer! I have been in this industry about 6 years now and here's some advice to get the ball rolling.
-I'm unsure of your age, but if you're in high school definitely get enrolled in higher level math and physics classes. Every engineering undergraduate program is based in math and physics so these will help you get prepare for the program.
-Get involved in clubs in school. Any kind of club related to robotics, fabrication, or 3D modeling can provide valuable experience.
-3D modeling is also a very important skill. I use programs like SolidWorks and AutoCad daily, so any experience with these programs you can get before college would be great.
-As far as education, you'll need a Bachelors Degree. I did my Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering. There are more specialized degrees you can pursue depending on your interests like Robotics or Aerospace, but this depends on your ambitions.
Best of luck!
Joey