5 answers
athan
Student
Katy, Texas
1
Question
Updated
556 views
How limiting can the pursuit of an engineering degree become?
I graduated high school in the class of 2025. I am a very-hands on and spontaneous person that has a passion for math. Is mechanical engineering a good choice for me?
Do you have any free time or hobbies while pursuing an engineering degree?
Is it possible/recommended to work while pursuing an engineering degree?
How helpful are internships, and is it wise to prioritize internship possibilities?
Does working as an engineer require travelling out of town often?
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5 answers
Fahad Elahi Khan
Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate
66
Answers
Chittagong, Chittagong Division, Bangladesh
Updated
Fahad Elahi’s Answer
Congratulations on graduating high school in 2025! You're in a great spot to plan your future. With your hands-on approach and love for math, mechanical engineering could be a perfect fit for you. Let's explore your questions about this path.
Is Mechanical Engineering Right for You?
Absolutely! Mechanical engineering involves working with physical prototypes, labs, CAD design, and building projects. If you enjoy hands-on work and seeing tangible results, this field is ideal. It also values quick thinking and creativity, which suits your spontaneous nature. Plus, if you enjoy using math to solve real problems, you'll thrive in this field.
Potential Challenges:
The degree is rigorous, with tight schedules and deadlines. But many students improve their time management skills in the process. If you prefer more freedom, you might consider entrepreneurship later, but mechanical engineering still offers many creative outlets.
How Limiting Is an Engineering Degree?
While the degree can feel intense, especially during college, it leads to more freedom in the long run. Expect a busy schedule with classes, labs, and projects, but the hard work pays off with good job prospects and flexibility after graduation.
Do You Have Free Time for Hobbies?
Yes, although it depends on your schedule and efficiency. Many students balance hobbies like sports or music by managing their time well. Joining clubs related to engineering can also blend fun with learning.
Is It Possible to Work While Studying?
Working part-time is possible, especially with on-campus jobs or flexible gigs. However, full-time work is challenging without extending your studies. Aim for part-time work that relates to engineering for the best experience.
How Important Are Internships?
Internships are very valuable. They provide hands-on experience, boost your resume, and help you network. Aim for at least one or two internships, especially after your sophomore or junior year.
Does Engineering Require Frequent Travel?
Travel depends on the role. Most mechanical engineers work in offices or labs with occasional site visits. Some roles involve more travel, but many offer stable, local positions.
You're asking the right questions, which is a great start. Mechanical engineering is a good fit for those who love math and want to make a real-world impact. If it aligns with your interests, go for it. The challenges in college are temporary and lead to rewarding opportunities.
Is Mechanical Engineering Right for You?
Absolutely! Mechanical engineering involves working with physical prototypes, labs, CAD design, and building projects. If you enjoy hands-on work and seeing tangible results, this field is ideal. It also values quick thinking and creativity, which suits your spontaneous nature. Plus, if you enjoy using math to solve real problems, you'll thrive in this field.
Potential Challenges:
The degree is rigorous, with tight schedules and deadlines. But many students improve their time management skills in the process. If you prefer more freedom, you might consider entrepreneurship later, but mechanical engineering still offers many creative outlets.
How Limiting Is an Engineering Degree?
While the degree can feel intense, especially during college, it leads to more freedom in the long run. Expect a busy schedule with classes, labs, and projects, but the hard work pays off with good job prospects and flexibility after graduation.
Do You Have Free Time for Hobbies?
Yes, although it depends on your schedule and efficiency. Many students balance hobbies like sports or music by managing their time well. Joining clubs related to engineering can also blend fun with learning.
Is It Possible to Work While Studying?
Working part-time is possible, especially with on-campus jobs or flexible gigs. However, full-time work is challenging without extending your studies. Aim for part-time work that relates to engineering for the best experience.
How Important Are Internships?
Internships are very valuable. They provide hands-on experience, boost your resume, and help you network. Aim for at least one or two internships, especially after your sophomore or junior year.
Does Engineering Require Frequent Travel?
Travel depends on the role. Most mechanical engineers work in offices or labs with occasional site visits. Some roles involve more travel, but many offer stable, local positions.
You're asking the right questions, which is a great start. Mechanical engineering is a good fit for those who love math and want to make a real-world impact. If it aligns with your interests, go for it. The challenges in college are temporary and lead to rewarding opportunities.
William Vvuko
Retired engineer
234
Answers
Moyo, Northern Region
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi Athan,
This is a very insightful question.
How we manage our time determines how much we achieve in the course of a given day. There are only twenty four hours in a day for everyone. In real life, we need time for work, rest, recreation, travel, family & friends etc. For healthy living, we need to allocate time for these activities appropriately. This may work differently for different people. You will have to figure out what works best for you.
Engineering is a vast field of study and it's boundaries are being extended continuously e. g. Robotics, AI etc. It's practically impossible for one individual to master it's entire scope. In practice, people settle for a combination of related fields. I have a close friend who holds first degrees in civil, structural and production engineering.
Mechanical engineering, by far, is the widest branch of engineering. Traditionally, it overlaps both civil and electrical engineering. It's also a precursor for such specialized areas of study such as aerospace, automotive & biomedical engineering as well as robotics.
Mechanical engineering offers you opportunities to work in such areas as design, production & manufacturing, maintenance, projects, utilities, consultancies, research and development etc. Acquisition of skills in leadership and management allows mechanical engineers to work at all levels of organizations. Besides, mechanical engineering students are largely taught by mechanical engineers in universities & colleges.
Getting involved in practical work gives you the chance to acquire knowledge through experience. Experiential learning plays a significant role in the creation of formal knowledge. Every opportunity for internships, mentorships & apprenticeships must be fully exploited for this reason.
Service engineers who support technical products for multinationals, for instance, traverse continents in course of their work - clearly, such opportunities are available.
This is a very insightful question.
How we manage our time determines how much we achieve in the course of a given day. There are only twenty four hours in a day for everyone. In real life, we need time for work, rest, recreation, travel, family & friends etc. For healthy living, we need to allocate time for these activities appropriately. This may work differently for different people. You will have to figure out what works best for you.
Engineering is a vast field of study and it's boundaries are being extended continuously e. g. Robotics, AI etc. It's practically impossible for one individual to master it's entire scope. In practice, people settle for a combination of related fields. I have a close friend who holds first degrees in civil, structural and production engineering.
Mechanical engineering, by far, is the widest branch of engineering. Traditionally, it overlaps both civil and electrical engineering. It's also a precursor for such specialized areas of study such as aerospace, automotive & biomedical engineering as well as robotics.
Mechanical engineering offers you opportunities to work in such areas as design, production & manufacturing, maintenance, projects, utilities, consultancies, research and development etc. Acquisition of skills in leadership and management allows mechanical engineers to work at all levels of organizations. Besides, mechanical engineering students are largely taught by mechanical engineers in universities & colleges.
Getting involved in practical work gives you the chance to acquire knowledge through experience. Experiential learning plays a significant role in the creation of formal knowledge. Every opportunity for internships, mentorships & apprenticeships must be fully exploited for this reason.
Service engineers who support technical products for multinationals, for instance, traverse continents in course of their work - clearly, such opportunities are available.
Tricia Foster
Engineering and Maintenance Manager
22
Answers
Bartlett, Tennessee
Updated
Tricia’s Answer
Let me answer each question:
I am a very-hands on and spontaneous person that has a passion for math. Is mechanical engineering a good choice for me?
Yes! Caveat: as long as your spontaneity doesn’t impact ability to think critically.
Do you have any free time or hobbies while pursuing an engineering degree?
Much less than students in other fields. Not no, but there was a lot of time spent in labs, libraries. We had a joke that said: “You might be an engineering major if you can no longer what’s behind the sign in the engineering building labeled “Exit.”
That said, I’ve had plenty of income and time post-graduation do my hobbies.
Is it possible/recommended to work while pursuing an engineering degree?
It is possible. I prioritized grades and scholarships, some did work, not many. Co-op’s and internships are available and better use of your time as they give career experience and pay well.
How helpful are internships, and is it wise to prioritize internship possibilities?
Almost essential for finding full time employment after school. Minimum is one, two is typical, three is exceptional.
Does working as an engineer require traveling out of town often?
Depends on your role. My husband is also an engineer and early in his career enjoyed traveling six days a week. I currently travel maybe two weeks a year, some years no travel. Often, travel is once per year for training.
I am a very-hands on and spontaneous person that has a passion for math. Is mechanical engineering a good choice for me?
Yes! Caveat: as long as your spontaneity doesn’t impact ability to think critically.
Do you have any free time or hobbies while pursuing an engineering degree?
Much less than students in other fields. Not no, but there was a lot of time spent in labs, libraries. We had a joke that said: “You might be an engineering major if you can no longer what’s behind the sign in the engineering building labeled “Exit.”
That said, I’ve had plenty of income and time post-graduation do my hobbies.
Is it possible/recommended to work while pursuing an engineering degree?
It is possible. I prioritized grades and scholarships, some did work, not many. Co-op’s and internships are available and better use of your time as they give career experience and pay well.
How helpful are internships, and is it wise to prioritize internship possibilities?
Almost essential for finding full time employment after school. Minimum is one, two is typical, three is exceptional.
Does working as an engineer require traveling out of town often?
Depends on your role. My husband is also an engineer and early in his career enjoyed traveling six days a week. I currently travel maybe two weeks a year, some years no travel. Often, travel is once per year for training.
Anita Hall Frost
Engineer
8
Answers
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Updated
Anita’s Answer
Hi Athan. Engineering is a great career for those who are curious and love solving problems. The amount of hands-on work depends on the field and job you choose. Travel can vary too; some jobs require frequent travel, while others don't. During school, I worked part-time to pay for college, so I didn't have much free time, but I still made sure to take time to relax and recharge. Internships are very useful because they show you what different engineering roles involve and help you find a career that makes you happy.
Thomas DiEdwardo
Mechanical Engineer
3
Answers
Morris Plains, New Jersey
Updated
Thomas’s Answer
Hi Athan,
Thanks for your questions! Here’s my experience and perspective on each:
Question: I graduated high school in the class of 2025. I’m very hands-on and spontaneous, with a passion for math. Is mechanical engineering a good choice for me?
Answer: Mechanical engineering is an excellent career choice. It’s one of the most diverse engineering disciplines, offering many different paths to pursue.
Question: Do you have any free time or hobbies while pursuing an engineering degree?
Answer: Many engineers graduate with strong academic skills and high grades, only to realize that their first position isn’t quite what they expected. The key word here is expectations. For example, I once worked with someone who thought they’d be modeling airflow over an aircraft wing (as they’d done in class) but instead ended up designing an electronics box that went under a seat in the back of the plane.
The most successful engineers I’ve met are those who identify their particular skill set early. Everyone is different—don’t be afraid to understand your strengths and weaknesses. Since you mentioned that you enjoy building things and working with your hands, manufacturing engineering might be a great path for you.
I highly recommend taking a few career personality tests to help identify what you’re both good at and passionate about. These are easy to find online. The sooner you understand your niche, the more success and satisfaction you’ll have. You might also want to get experience in a machine shop or fabrication facility that does CNC machining, sheet metal, or other hands-on assembly work.
Question: Is it possible or recommended to work while pursuing an engineering degree?
Answer: Absolutely—but try to find work that’s related to engineering, such as in a CNC or machine shop. Real-world, hands-on experience will help you understand what areas of engineering fit you best.
Question: How helpful are internships, and should I prioritize them?
Answer: Internships and co-ops are critical, incredibly valuable and often underrated. Many students focus only on grades, but internships help you discover your strengths and preferred field. I attended Northeastern University, which has a strong internship program, and it made a huge difference for me. In fact, I switched from electrical to mechanical engineering after my first internship. Classroom theory is great, but nothing compares to real-world experience.
Question: Does working as an engineer require a lot of travel?
Answer: It depends on the specific role. Some engineers work remotely full-time doing stress or thermal analysis, while others travel frequently as project or program managers. Most jobs today fall somewhere in the middle—often a hybrid setup.
Thanks for your questions! Here’s my experience and perspective on each:
Question: I graduated high school in the class of 2025. I’m very hands-on and spontaneous, with a passion for math. Is mechanical engineering a good choice for me?
Answer: Mechanical engineering is an excellent career choice. It’s one of the most diverse engineering disciplines, offering many different paths to pursue.
Question: Do you have any free time or hobbies while pursuing an engineering degree?
Answer: Many engineers graduate with strong academic skills and high grades, only to realize that their first position isn’t quite what they expected. The key word here is expectations. For example, I once worked with someone who thought they’d be modeling airflow over an aircraft wing (as they’d done in class) but instead ended up designing an electronics box that went under a seat in the back of the plane.
The most successful engineers I’ve met are those who identify their particular skill set early. Everyone is different—don’t be afraid to understand your strengths and weaknesses. Since you mentioned that you enjoy building things and working with your hands, manufacturing engineering might be a great path for you.
I highly recommend taking a few career personality tests to help identify what you’re both good at and passionate about. These are easy to find online. The sooner you understand your niche, the more success and satisfaction you’ll have. You might also want to get experience in a machine shop or fabrication facility that does CNC machining, sheet metal, or other hands-on assembly work.
Question: Is it possible or recommended to work while pursuing an engineering degree?
Answer: Absolutely—but try to find work that’s related to engineering, such as in a CNC or machine shop. Real-world, hands-on experience will help you understand what areas of engineering fit you best.
Question: How helpful are internships, and should I prioritize them?
Answer: Internships and co-ops are critical, incredibly valuable and often underrated. Many students focus only on grades, but internships help you discover your strengths and preferred field. I attended Northeastern University, which has a strong internship program, and it made a huge difference for me. In fact, I switched from electrical to mechanical engineering after my first internship. Classroom theory is great, but nothing compares to real-world experience.
Question: Does working as an engineer require a lot of travel?
Answer: It depends on the specific role. Some engineers work remotely full-time doing stress or thermal analysis, while others travel frequently as project or program managers. Most jobs today fall somewhere in the middle—often a hybrid setup.