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Career pathways for Mechatronics?
I've researched a little on the topic, but have only found videos about robotics engineers. Is this the only pathway specialized for an individual with a mechatronics degree? Or is it broader than that? As a tenth grader, I want to be fully informed of every opportunity I have in engineering and technology, so I can pick appropriately.
#engineering #technology #robotics #career
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4 answers
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Robert J.’s Answer
Hello ambitious one,
So you want to work on mechatronics? Very cool. My suggestion is you start learning about engineering. I'm a mechanical engineer and I design new products for people. Instead of playing video games, start learning CAD (computer aided design). Both Solidworks and Creo are excellent, and student editions are available for low cost. It's fun! You can 3D print your part designs. In a couple years you can even get a job with your CAD skills. At the same time, you need to start learning basic electronics. Writing code is important too. You can do it, just need to feed your brain some great knowledge.
I had my first CAD job when I was 18. Started me on the path to a Mechanical Engineering degree.
Don't worry about graduating early, you have plenty of time. Just keep learning, and stay in school even if it's just one junior college class.
Let me know if I can help.
So you want to work on mechatronics? Very cool. My suggestion is you start learning about engineering. I'm a mechanical engineer and I design new products for people. Instead of playing video games, start learning CAD (computer aided design). Both Solidworks and Creo are excellent, and student editions are available for low cost. It's fun! You can 3D print your part designs. In a couple years you can even get a job with your CAD skills. At the same time, you need to start learning basic electronics. Writing code is important too. You can do it, just need to feed your brain some great knowledge.
I had my first CAD job when I was 18. Started me on the path to a Mechanical Engineering degree.
Don't worry about graduating early, you have plenty of time. Just keep learning, and stay in school even if it's just one junior college class.
Let me know if I can help.
Wow, Thank you so much! I'm motivated to learn as much as I can about engineering and computer science-related disciplines, especially because of the limited responsibilities! I really appreciate your help, I will keep these suggestions while I'm learning and deciding on the engineering discipline I want to pursue! All the best!
Aun
As far as the engineering disciplines go, Mechanical Engineering is the most broad.
Robert J. Schickling
Ah, that makes a lot of sense, considering that mechanical engineers probably have experience with code, electronics, software aided in design, and many other topics. I'm definitely looking into mechanical engineering, as my dad was one and he loved the atmosphere, salary, and work he did. Thanks again!
Aun
Updated
Richard’s Answer
in general "mechatronics" is just an amalgamation of mechanical and electronics engineering, which suggests a mesh of the two, "Robotics" distinct itself by adding "autonomous" features to the creation you may be involved in. Thats just a fancy word for saying "its making decisions". This is just one in an increasing list of "subtopics" thats now being mashed together in that word.
The study is just one of the considerations before the haze of options sharpens into a clear set of career and academic goals.
As I have said many times.. first understand what YOU like most, figure out where that may put you when your in the workforce, THEN look at what others have done to get there by looking at job postings, and then study these resumes of people that are qualified.
This should help clear up all the options that seem a bit out of focus in your decision matrix.
to help think about you options , here is a cool duagram ( ironically on the wikipedia topic "mechatronics" , that shows how and where these study areas can mash together.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechatronics#/media/File:Mecha_workaround.svg
good luck to you !
Richard "term-i-nator" Wolf
The study is just one of the considerations before the haze of options sharpens into a clear set of career and academic goals.
As I have said many times.. first understand what YOU like most, figure out where that may put you when your in the workforce, THEN look at what others have done to get there by looking at job postings, and then study these resumes of people that are qualified.
This should help clear up all the options that seem a bit out of focus in your decision matrix.
to help think about you options , here is a cool duagram ( ironically on the wikipedia topic "mechatronics" , that shows how and where these study areas can mash together.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechatronics#/media/File:Mecha_workaround.svg
good luck to you !
Richard "term-i-nator" Wolf
Wow thanks, If I would upvote this twice if I could! Thank you for your advice and process of immersing oneself into a career path, I've been trying to do this with software development so far and I'm struggling, but I believe that I'll be able to achieve competence by following these steps. This field gets me really excited and pumped, I'm definitely down on learning this during my spare time as well. Thank you so much, and all the best!
Aun
Updated
Steven’s Answer
You may be limiting yourself with the term Mechatronics. Try looking into Control Systems, or PLCs programming for a more broad view of how electronics interact with mechanisms.
I would recommend getting a degree in a "core" engineering discipline, especially electrical engineering. Your first job probably won't be exactly what you are looking for, but once you have some industry experience you should be able to pivot to a more Mechatronics oriented role. A more broad degree will only open more doors that a specialized degree would otherwise close to you.
I would recommend getting a degree in a "core" engineering discipline, especially electrical engineering. Your first job probably won't be exactly what you are looking for, but once you have some industry experience you should be able to pivot to a more Mechatronics oriented role. A more broad degree will only open more doors that a specialized degree would otherwise close to you.
Thank you for answering! This was great advice, and I really like your approach. At the university I want to go to, all engineering disciplines are massively popular, one of which being mechatronics. I was quite confused about why admission averages for this degree ranged in the mid-90s, and how very few were selected. Even with this in mind, I believe that electrical or computer engineering was even more popular, and in terms of the students studying at the university, it was more highly regarded as well.
Aun
Updated
Sayali’s Answer
Question: What is Mechatronics?
Mechatronics is a multidisciplinary field that combines several types of engineering—electrical, computer, and mechanical—and refers to the skill sets needed in the contemporary, advanced automated manufacturing industry. At the intersection of mechanics, electronics, and computing, mechatronics specialists create simpler, smarter systems. Mechatronics is an essential foundation for the expected growth in automation and manufacturing.
Mechatronics is an industry buzzword synonymous with robotics and electromechanical engineering. Robotics, control systems, and electro-mechanical systems fall under mechatronics. Like mechanics, robotics, or production equipment? Have a knack for creative problem solving? Enjoy technical and engineering activities? Can you work well as a member of a team? Mechatronics could be for you.
Question: What do mechatronics engineers do?
Mechatronics specialists can do quite a bit across multiple engineering disciplines and have a solid base from which to grow. Mechatronics specialists know both mechanical and electrical engineering fundamentals—they speak both languages—so a mechatronics specialist can work with both mechanical and engineering teams.
Mechatronics specialists work with massive industrial robots, smaller robots in pick-and-place operations, control systems for bottling or packaging of food and drink products, drones, designing control systems for rides in amusement parks, prototype development.
Some mechatronics specialists are employed in firms where it is necessary to design and maintain automatic equipment. This includes industries such as manufacturing, mining, aviation, robotics, defense, and transport. Other mechatronic specialists are employed by large manufacturing companies involved in high-volume production. Many new career opportunities are on the horizon due to technological advances.
Question: What careers are there in mechatronics?
A degree in mechatronics can lead to management positions, including project management. Workplaces range from laboratories and processing plants to engineering design offices.
Mechatronics specialists work in the fields of cybersecurity, telecommunications, computer science, automotive engineering, robotics, artificial intelligence, and consumer products and packaging.
Mechatronic specialists may use the following job titles:
Automotive Engineer
Control System Engineer
Data Logging Engineer
Instrumentation Engineer
Project Engineer
Software Engineer
Systems Engineer
Service Engineer
What skills do mechatronics specialists need?
Mechatronic specialists have broad multidisciplinary skills, so they are able to move into more traditional engineering disciplines.
A mechatronics specialist is a creative problem solver who can work on a team. Thinking creatively is the first step; being able to communicate good ideas to coworkers involves tact.
Many mechatronic engineers use computer-aided design (CAD) and other engineering software for modeling, simulating, and analyzing complex mechanical, electronic, or other engineering systems.
Question: What tasks do mechatronics specialists do?
There are many tasks mechatronic specialists perform, depending on their particular industry. Some design, develop, maintain, and manage high-technology engineering systems for the automation of industrial tasks. Others apply mechatronic/automated solutions to the transfer of material components or finished goods, or design and assist with the manufacture of consumer products such as cameras and video recorders. Still others carry out studies into the feasibility, cost implications, and performance benefits of new mechatronic equipment. And others apply electronic and mechanical processes and computers to tasks where the use of human labor may be dangerous (for example, underwater exploration, mining, or forestry).
Mechatronics is a multidisciplinary field that combines several types of engineering—electrical, computer, and mechanical—and refers to the skill sets needed in the contemporary, advanced automated manufacturing industry. At the intersection of mechanics, electronics, and computing, mechatronics specialists create simpler, smarter systems. Mechatronics is an essential foundation for the expected growth in automation and manufacturing.
Mechatronics is an industry buzzword synonymous with robotics and electromechanical engineering. Robotics, control systems, and electro-mechanical systems fall under mechatronics. Like mechanics, robotics, or production equipment? Have a knack for creative problem solving? Enjoy technical and engineering activities? Can you work well as a member of a team? Mechatronics could be for you.
Question: What do mechatronics engineers do?
Mechatronics specialists can do quite a bit across multiple engineering disciplines and have a solid base from which to grow. Mechatronics specialists know both mechanical and electrical engineering fundamentals—they speak both languages—so a mechatronics specialist can work with both mechanical and engineering teams.
Mechatronics specialists work with massive industrial robots, smaller robots in pick-and-place operations, control systems for bottling or packaging of food and drink products, drones, designing control systems for rides in amusement parks, prototype development.
Some mechatronics specialists are employed in firms where it is necessary to design and maintain automatic equipment. This includes industries such as manufacturing, mining, aviation, robotics, defense, and transport. Other mechatronic specialists are employed by large manufacturing companies involved in high-volume production. Many new career opportunities are on the horizon due to technological advances.
Question: What careers are there in mechatronics?
A degree in mechatronics can lead to management positions, including project management. Workplaces range from laboratories and processing plants to engineering design offices.
Mechatronics specialists work in the fields of cybersecurity, telecommunications, computer science, automotive engineering, robotics, artificial intelligence, and consumer products and packaging.
Mechatronic specialists may use the following job titles:
Automotive Engineer
Control System Engineer
Data Logging Engineer
Instrumentation Engineer
Project Engineer
Software Engineer
Systems Engineer
Service Engineer
What skills do mechatronics specialists need?
Mechatronic specialists have broad multidisciplinary skills, so they are able to move into more traditional engineering disciplines.
A mechatronics specialist is a creative problem solver who can work on a team. Thinking creatively is the first step; being able to communicate good ideas to coworkers involves tact.
Many mechatronic engineers use computer-aided design (CAD) and other engineering software for modeling, simulating, and analyzing complex mechanical, electronic, or other engineering systems.
Question: What tasks do mechatronics specialists do?
There are many tasks mechatronic specialists perform, depending on their particular industry. Some design, develop, maintain, and manage high-technology engineering systems for the automation of industrial tasks. Others apply mechatronic/automated solutions to the transfer of material components or finished goods, or design and assist with the manufacture of consumer products such as cameras and video recorders. Still others carry out studies into the feasibility, cost implications, and performance benefits of new mechatronic equipment. And others apply electronic and mechanical processes and computers to tasks where the use of human labor may be dangerous (for example, underwater exploration, mining, or forestry).