5 answers
Eduardo
Student
Yuma, Arizona
1
Question
Updated
610 views
Is going to School for Mechanical Engineering or Engineering in general worth it?
My name is Eduardo and I go to Crane Middle School in Yuma, Arizona and I have been wanting to be an Engineer since I was in 2nd grade. I like to build things like Legos or like doing hardware and designing projects in school. Engineering is a fascinating career that I find interesting. I was wondering what the best and worst parts of this job would be. What kind of college degree do you need, and are there internships you can do while you're still in school? Do you need to be a math genius to be an engineer, or is being a good problem-solver more important? What is the Engineering Design Process and why do engineers expect their first version to fail? How do engineers choose which materials to use like why use titanium for a plane instead of steel. To whoever answers my question Thank You for this Information
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5 answers
Lorenzo Gholston
12
Answers
Updated
Lorenzo’s Answer
Eduardo, it's wonderful that you have these questions at such a young age. You have plenty of time to explore and find answers. Since you're passionate about engineering, I encourage you to research and discover the answers to your questions now. Only you can decide which area to explore. If you keep joining organizations and clubs that spark your interest in engineering, I'm confident you'll make the best choice for your career and find joy in what you do.
Larry Apfel
Aircraft Mechanic
30
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Larry’s Answer
Eduardo,
Wow!, you have a lot of questions and all of them very good ones. I'll try to give you good but short answers to every one of them.
Being interested in building things and designing projects tells me already you will someday be a good engineer. You have the desire and the curiosity needed for a great design engineer. Schools can teach you the math and the science you will need to get a college degree but they can't give you the desire to assemble things, experiment with your ideas, and try to make something work. That can't be taught; that comes from inside you. You already have it!
So, what are the good things and the bad things about engineering. Every job no matter what it is has both good things and bad things but what I consider a bad thing might not be what you consider a bad thing. For example, I would hate an engineering job that would make me travel. Sometimes engineers have to travel to the location where the problem is so it can be seen firsthand and repairs made. I hate traveling for work but you might love it. Another example, I might love working with a team of engineers to solve a problem but you might like working solo. Some good things are most engineering jobs have regular hours, good salaries, and don't work on the weekends. Some bad things are that engineers tend to be laid off from work more often than other jobs because engineers make new things and when the people aren't buying stuff, you're the first to go. What I can say is that (my opinion of course) is mechanical engineering is the most balanced of all of the engineering disciplines. It teaches a little bit of everything such as chemistry, electricity, physics, mathematics, and materials. A lot of what you're taught in mechanical engineering is useful in real life as well. Mechanical engineering students have the most fun in school too (just my opinion). There are a lot of engineering disciplines to choose from so learn about the different ones and choose your particular engineering discipline wisely.
You asked about internships....most colleges will have a business office with opportunities for students to intern for local companies in the field of your interest. In most cases, you will get paid for your work. Companies that offer internships are checking you out just as much as you are checking them out for future employment. If you like the company you intern at and they like you, they might offer you a permanent job after you graduate from college so do your best and show them they will be lucky to have you.
You wanted to know if you have to be a math genius to be an engineer; math geniuses don't have to take any math courses (because they're geiuses!) and everybody else does. Seriously though, there is a lot of math required to receive an engineering degree. The reason you take courses in college is to learn the subjects. you will learn the math you need to pass your classes just like everyone else did before you. Remember there was a time when you didn't know the alphabet and now you can read, write, and spell better than me! Don't be worried about it. You'll do fine. Being a good problem solver is more important and that is something you already possess.
Any first design is going to (most likely) have some type of failure. That is the reason that any newly designed project is thoroughly tested. Do engineers EXPECT their new designs to fail during testing? We hope they don't but there is usually something that needs tweaking. Maybe there's a crack that develops due to vibrations or a component that gets too hot because it doesn't get enough cooling air. The tests are designed (by test engineers) to highlight the weak spots of your design so you can fix them before your product enters the real world.
As far as what materials to pick for your designs....sometimes it's obvious. For example, would you use plastic in a high temperature environment or rubber? Would something porous (like cement) be ok to pump milk or peanut butter through? Obviously not. Plastic would melt and the food stuff would get caught in the crevices of the material and people would get sick because the food would spoil. There are other reasons to consider different materials like the weight of the material or the cost of the material. You wouldn't make an aircraft out of iron; it would be strong and never break but it would be too heavy to fly. You could make your bicycle out of solid gold but would be way too expensive and somebody would most likely steal it. Titanium is a very good material because it melting temperature is very high. It is used in high heat applications like jet turbine blades. It's also very strong and used instead of steel sometimes because it's less dense----you can use less of it to make the part and it's still as strong as the steel part, only it weighs less. The reason we don't just use titanium all of the time is because it's very expensive and it's hard to machine. The United States doesn't have much of it so we have to get it from other countries which makes it more scarce.
Eduardo, I tried to keep it short but you asked so many good questions and I wanted to answer them all. I hope this helps you. By the way, I've never been to Yuma but I've been to Phoenix/Scottsdale and Sedona. You live in a beautiful state.
Be well and good luck,
Larry A
Wow!, you have a lot of questions and all of them very good ones. I'll try to give you good but short answers to every one of them.
Being interested in building things and designing projects tells me already you will someday be a good engineer. You have the desire and the curiosity needed for a great design engineer. Schools can teach you the math and the science you will need to get a college degree but they can't give you the desire to assemble things, experiment with your ideas, and try to make something work. That can't be taught; that comes from inside you. You already have it!
So, what are the good things and the bad things about engineering. Every job no matter what it is has both good things and bad things but what I consider a bad thing might not be what you consider a bad thing. For example, I would hate an engineering job that would make me travel. Sometimes engineers have to travel to the location where the problem is so it can be seen firsthand and repairs made. I hate traveling for work but you might love it. Another example, I might love working with a team of engineers to solve a problem but you might like working solo. Some good things are most engineering jobs have regular hours, good salaries, and don't work on the weekends. Some bad things are that engineers tend to be laid off from work more often than other jobs because engineers make new things and when the people aren't buying stuff, you're the first to go. What I can say is that (my opinion of course) is mechanical engineering is the most balanced of all of the engineering disciplines. It teaches a little bit of everything such as chemistry, electricity, physics, mathematics, and materials. A lot of what you're taught in mechanical engineering is useful in real life as well. Mechanical engineering students have the most fun in school too (just my opinion). There are a lot of engineering disciplines to choose from so learn about the different ones and choose your particular engineering discipline wisely.
You asked about internships....most colleges will have a business office with opportunities for students to intern for local companies in the field of your interest. In most cases, you will get paid for your work. Companies that offer internships are checking you out just as much as you are checking them out for future employment. If you like the company you intern at and they like you, they might offer you a permanent job after you graduate from college so do your best and show them they will be lucky to have you.
You wanted to know if you have to be a math genius to be an engineer; math geniuses don't have to take any math courses (because they're geiuses!) and everybody else does. Seriously though, there is a lot of math required to receive an engineering degree. The reason you take courses in college is to learn the subjects. you will learn the math you need to pass your classes just like everyone else did before you. Remember there was a time when you didn't know the alphabet and now you can read, write, and spell better than me! Don't be worried about it. You'll do fine. Being a good problem solver is more important and that is something you already possess.
Any first design is going to (most likely) have some type of failure. That is the reason that any newly designed project is thoroughly tested. Do engineers EXPECT their new designs to fail during testing? We hope they don't but there is usually something that needs tweaking. Maybe there's a crack that develops due to vibrations or a component that gets too hot because it doesn't get enough cooling air. The tests are designed (by test engineers) to highlight the weak spots of your design so you can fix them before your product enters the real world.
As far as what materials to pick for your designs....sometimes it's obvious. For example, would you use plastic in a high temperature environment or rubber? Would something porous (like cement) be ok to pump milk or peanut butter through? Obviously not. Plastic would melt and the food stuff would get caught in the crevices of the material and people would get sick because the food would spoil. There are other reasons to consider different materials like the weight of the material or the cost of the material. You wouldn't make an aircraft out of iron; it would be strong and never break but it would be too heavy to fly. You could make your bicycle out of solid gold but would be way too expensive and somebody would most likely steal it. Titanium is a very good material because it melting temperature is very high. It is used in high heat applications like jet turbine blades. It's also very strong and used instead of steel sometimes because it's less dense----you can use less of it to make the part and it's still as strong as the steel part, only it weighs less. The reason we don't just use titanium all of the time is because it's very expensive and it's hard to machine. The United States doesn't have much of it so we have to get it from other countries which makes it more scarce.
Eduardo, I tried to keep it short but you asked so many good questions and I wanted to answer them all. I hope this helps you. By the way, I've never been to Yuma but I've been to Phoenix/Scottsdale and Sedona. You live in a beautiful state.
Be well and good luck,
Larry A
Josep Antonio Perez
Entry-Level Mechanical Engineer
17
Answers
Reno, Nevada
Updated
Josep Antonio ’s Answer
Hello Eduardo,
To give you the perspective of an entry-level candidate approaching intermediate level, I would advise you to pursue engineering if you enjoy building hardware and enjoy your STEM classes in school. Engineering in general I would say is definitely worth it can have many rewards such as decent pay, and other benefits providing you with a good quality of life.
Based on your interests, you should pursue a field that genuinely interests you. Some of the main disciplines are mechanical, electrical, computer science, and civil engineering. If you do some research on each one you will find that each discipline has some co-dependency on other disciplines. For example, if you choose to go for mechanical you will get exposure to some electrical, and computer science theory. The amount of exposure you get will depend on whether you specialize in any specific industry sector.
This ties into what I liked the most about mechanical, which is that I had the opportunity to work on projects that included mechanical design, applying electrical theory to power the designs, then collaborated on computer science coding that provided a means to control the design. In reality there is no downside if you are responsible, and you stay focused on being a good student. A four year Bachelor of Science or higher will give you the opportunity to work as an engineer.
Critical thinking is an important skill to have, good understanding of math and physics will set you up for success so try to get better grades in these classes as they are the building blocks of engineering. Creativity is also an important skill to develop. When you are a 2nd year college student begin to research internships with companies in your relevant area of study.
Any engineering design process usually takes a few iterations to be successful, the final steps of the first iteration will result in a prototype test. All results from the prototype test can be applied to the next iterations of the process to improve and obtain the optimal result. Material selection can have many deciding factors depending on the application, in your example material strength would influence that decision.
To give you the perspective of an entry-level candidate approaching intermediate level, I would advise you to pursue engineering if you enjoy building hardware and enjoy your STEM classes in school. Engineering in general I would say is definitely worth it can have many rewards such as decent pay, and other benefits providing you with a good quality of life.
Based on your interests, you should pursue a field that genuinely interests you. Some of the main disciplines are mechanical, electrical, computer science, and civil engineering. If you do some research on each one you will find that each discipline has some co-dependency on other disciplines. For example, if you choose to go for mechanical you will get exposure to some electrical, and computer science theory. The amount of exposure you get will depend on whether you specialize in any specific industry sector.
This ties into what I liked the most about mechanical, which is that I had the opportunity to work on projects that included mechanical design, applying electrical theory to power the designs, then collaborated on computer science coding that provided a means to control the design. In reality there is no downside if you are responsible, and you stay focused on being a good student. A four year Bachelor of Science or higher will give you the opportunity to work as an engineer.
Critical thinking is an important skill to have, good understanding of math and physics will set you up for success so try to get better grades in these classes as they are the building blocks of engineering. Creativity is also an important skill to develop. When you are a 2nd year college student begin to research internships with companies in your relevant area of study.
Any engineering design process usually takes a few iterations to be successful, the final steps of the first iteration will result in a prototype test. All results from the prototype test can be applied to the next iterations of the process to improve and obtain the optimal result. Material selection can have many deciding factors depending on the application, in your example material strength would influence that decision.
Glenn A
Mechanical Engineering Manager @ Belkin
153
Answers
Irvine, California
Updated
Glenn ’s Answer
Hi Eduardo, you ask really thoughtful questions! As an engineer, I'll try to give you clear answers. If you split your questions into smaller parts, I can provide detailed answers for each one. When I interview young engineers, I look for those who can apply engineering principles in everyday life, and you've shown this in your hobbies.
The best and worst parts of any job depend on your perspective. If you don't mind detailed documentation and long development cycles, fields like medical and aerospace can be very rewarding. If you enjoy fast-paced environments and tight deadlines, consumer products might be exciting for you.
While other degrees can get you there, I highly recommend pursuing a BS or higher degree in an engineering field you love from an accredited university. It's important to choose something you're passionate about since you'll spend many hours working, and it's best to enjoy what you do.
You can gain experience through internships and co-op programs while still in school. Internships happen during summer breaks, and co-ops alternate between semesters of study and work. Internships let you graduate on time, while co-ops extend your school time but pay you to work.
You don't need to be a math genius to be an engineer, but it helps. Understanding and applying physics is crucial because engineering is applied physics. If you know the basics and can apply them, you can become a creative engineer.
The design process is a loop, and you stop when it's good enough. Start with the requirements, develop concepts, and then prototype your solution. Prototypes aren't usually final products but are used to test and evaluate. For something new or unique, you build a proof of concept to test your ideas. No one can consider every possible issue, so testing is key.
When choosing materials, engineers often start with what worked for similar problems. If a new material is needed, they consider the cost of the material, manufacturing, and part requirements. For example, planes use aluminum and titanium instead of steel because steel is too heavy and requires too much fuel.
I hope this helps you find the insights you're looking for!
The best and worst parts of any job depend on your perspective. If you don't mind detailed documentation and long development cycles, fields like medical and aerospace can be very rewarding. If you enjoy fast-paced environments and tight deadlines, consumer products might be exciting for you.
While other degrees can get you there, I highly recommend pursuing a BS or higher degree in an engineering field you love from an accredited university. It's important to choose something you're passionate about since you'll spend many hours working, and it's best to enjoy what you do.
You can gain experience through internships and co-op programs while still in school. Internships happen during summer breaks, and co-ops alternate between semesters of study and work. Internships let you graduate on time, while co-ops extend your school time but pay you to work.
You don't need to be a math genius to be an engineer, but it helps. Understanding and applying physics is crucial because engineering is applied physics. If you know the basics and can apply them, you can become a creative engineer.
The design process is a loop, and you stop when it's good enough. Start with the requirements, develop concepts, and then prototype your solution. Prototypes aren't usually final products but are used to test and evaluate. For something new or unique, you build a proof of concept to test your ideas. No one can consider every possible issue, so testing is key.
When choosing materials, engineers often start with what worked for similar problems. If a new material is needed, they consider the cost of the material, manufacturing, and part requirements. For example, planes use aluminum and titanium instead of steel because steel is too heavy and requires too much fuel.
I hope this helps you find the insights you're looking for!
William Vvuko
Retired engineer
240
Answers
Moyo, Northern Region
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi Edwardo,
Thank you for this rather complex query.
Engineering, throughout human history, has always been an endeavor to resolve some of the challenges humanity faces.
To become an engineer, one needs to be proficient in a couple of subjects especially in high school. Mathematics and physics provide the foundation for any engineering course. Other important subjects, amongst others, include chemistry, computer applications, graphics & design.
Engineering is devided into many fields. The traditional ones include mechanical, chemical, civil and electrical engineering. Other disciplines are production, structural, automotive, aerospace, biomedical & software engineering as well as robotics.
Choices are influenced by talent, interest, fascination with what surrounds us, role models as well as the desire to make our world a better place to live in etc.
Engineering, obviously, is an involving field of study. As humans, we are good at different things. What has worked well for me over the years is to try to spend more time in areas where I'm weak without compromising performance in areas where I'm good. Opportunities for practical work are crucial for acquisition of knowledge through experience. Internships, mentorships & apprenticeships all play a role in this regard.
To be successful, engineers need a wide range of skills. Amongst them are ability to: plan, schedule & execute work, collate, analyze & critically evaluate information, identify & resolve problems, communicate effectively, work effectively in teams etc.
An engineering design always starts with the need to address a need or challenge. It can be something completely new or an improvement on an existing design. The concept evolves into a functional design (set of tasks that generate a desired outcome). Detailed design focuses on how the specified tasks can be carried out safely, effectively and efficiently. At this point a model is produced. The model has to undergo rigorous testing to determine suitability for field operations. Improvement of the model is done until predetermined levels of performance are realized. At this point, a prototype is specified. A decision for commercial production is made at this point. Further tests on the prototype is necessary to ensure specifications for safety, reliability and maintainability are fully met. Once the product is in the field, regular feedback from end users is essential to ensure existing deficiencies are addressed in the next generation of the design - in this regard experience serves to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Materials selection is an important aspect of engineering design. Considerations are many: light weight materials with sufficient strength for airborne vessels, corrosion resistance for designs that operate in corrosive environments, thermal properties for designs that operate at elevated temperatures, semiconductors for electronic components etc. The study of engineering materials is extensive. Carbon & glass fibers are some of the examples of lightweight materials with excellent mechanical properties.
I truly hope this write-up addresses the basics of your query. Best regards.
Thank you for this rather complex query.
Engineering, throughout human history, has always been an endeavor to resolve some of the challenges humanity faces.
To become an engineer, one needs to be proficient in a couple of subjects especially in high school. Mathematics and physics provide the foundation for any engineering course. Other important subjects, amongst others, include chemistry, computer applications, graphics & design.
Engineering is devided into many fields. The traditional ones include mechanical, chemical, civil and electrical engineering. Other disciplines are production, structural, automotive, aerospace, biomedical & software engineering as well as robotics.
Choices are influenced by talent, interest, fascination with what surrounds us, role models as well as the desire to make our world a better place to live in etc.
Engineering, obviously, is an involving field of study. As humans, we are good at different things. What has worked well for me over the years is to try to spend more time in areas where I'm weak without compromising performance in areas where I'm good. Opportunities for practical work are crucial for acquisition of knowledge through experience. Internships, mentorships & apprenticeships all play a role in this regard.
To be successful, engineers need a wide range of skills. Amongst them are ability to: plan, schedule & execute work, collate, analyze & critically evaluate information, identify & resolve problems, communicate effectively, work effectively in teams etc.
An engineering design always starts with the need to address a need or challenge. It can be something completely new or an improvement on an existing design. The concept evolves into a functional design (set of tasks that generate a desired outcome). Detailed design focuses on how the specified tasks can be carried out safely, effectively and efficiently. At this point a model is produced. The model has to undergo rigorous testing to determine suitability for field operations. Improvement of the model is done until predetermined levels of performance are realized. At this point, a prototype is specified. A decision for commercial production is made at this point. Further tests on the prototype is necessary to ensure specifications for safety, reliability and maintainability are fully met. Once the product is in the field, regular feedback from end users is essential to ensure existing deficiencies are addressed in the next generation of the design - in this regard experience serves to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Materials selection is an important aspect of engineering design. Considerations are many: light weight materials with sufficient strength for airborne vessels, corrosion resistance for designs that operate in corrosive environments, thermal properties for designs that operate at elevated temperatures, semiconductors for electronic components etc. The study of engineering materials is extensive. Carbon & glass fibers are some of the examples of lightweight materials with excellent mechanical properties.
I truly hope this write-up addresses the basics of your query. Best regards.