4 answers
Logan
Student
Canton, Georgia
5
Questions
Asked
464 views
How enjoyable is Mechanical Engineering as a lifetime job?
I understand that this a opinionated question but I still want to see how people like this job?
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4 answers
Maria Brown, CISSP
Application Security Engineer
12
Answers
Tempe, Arizona
Updated
Maria’s Answer
I originally pursued a Mechanical Engineering degree because I was interested in robotics, but later switched a Computer Systems Engineering degree which was a better fit for me. So I cannot speak from direct experience, but I know the answer varies based on specialty area and based on the company you work for. Additionally, I can depend on the team you work with in a company.
If you are curious how things work, like problem solving, and have a math aptitude, it could be a great career.
Here's some high-level web resources:
* Pro's and Con's of Becoming a Mechanical Engineer - https://www.noodle.com/articles/the-pros-and-cons-of-becoming-a-mechanical-engineer#:~:text=Job%20satisfaction,score%20as%20%22highly%20satisfied.%22
* U.S. News "Best Jobs" Mechanical Engineer Overview - https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/mechanical-engineer
* U.C. Davis Areas of Interest in Mechanical Engineering - https://mae.ucdavis.edu/undergraduate/areas-interest-mechanical-engineering
Research Mechanical Engineering Focus Areas
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If you are curious how things work, like problem solving, and have a math aptitude, it could be a great career.
Here's some high-level web resources:
* Pro's and Con's of Becoming a Mechanical Engineer - https://www.noodle.com/articles/the-pros-and-cons-of-becoming-a-mechanical-engineer#:~:text=Job%20satisfaction,score%20as%20%22highly%20satisfied.%22
* U.S. News "Best Jobs" Mechanical Engineer Overview - https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/mechanical-engineer
* U.C. Davis Areas of Interest in Mechanical Engineering - https://mae.ucdavis.edu/undergraduate/areas-interest-mechanical-engineering
Maria recommends the following next steps:
Ray Koch
Mechanical Reliability Engineer
23
Answers
Indianapolis, Indiana
Updated
Ray’s Answer
Hi Logan,
I think alot of the answer to your question depends on the person and what they are doing versus what they enjoy. I have held several different positions as a mechanical engineer, some more hands on, some more administrative, some that were very out in the field/plant and some that were more in the office. Additionally I have worked for multiple organizations and managers with a variety of styles. That being said there are some jobs I greatly enjoyed and some I was less suited to, and that explains why I left them to find positions that were a better fit. They key to whether or not being a mechanical engineer is enjoyable or not is about whether or not there is an aspect of mechanical engineering or a career that falls under that very broad heading which you personally enjoy. I was able to find a subset of mechanical engineering that I enjoy and love the career I have chosen, but known there are other jobs within the field that are just not my thing. They
I think alot of the answer to your question depends on the person and what they are doing versus what they enjoy. I have held several different positions as a mechanical engineer, some more hands on, some more administrative, some that were very out in the field/plant and some that were more in the office. Additionally I have worked for multiple organizations and managers with a variety of styles. That being said there are some jobs I greatly enjoyed and some I was less suited to, and that explains why I left them to find positions that were a better fit. They key to whether or not being a mechanical engineer is enjoyable or not is about whether or not there is an aspect of mechanical engineering or a career that falls under that very broad heading which you personally enjoy. I was able to find a subset of mechanical engineering that I enjoy and love the career I have chosen, but known there are other jobs within the field that are just not my thing. They
Naledi Msimang
Design Engineer
3
Answers
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Updated
Naledi’s Answer
Hi Logan,
I am a mechanical engineer working for an engineering consulting company, my current duties are centered around design engineering (generating technical drawings to modify existing equipment, generating analysis calculations to verify intended modification for existing equipment, reviewing and updating Supplier design calculations and equipment general arrangement drawings). Design engineering as a mechanical engineer can be a very enjoyable and fulfilling career if you enjoyed technology and science based subjects in school along with having an aptitude for problem solving in math and physics.
Do some research on the different types of mechanical engineering opportunities in different sectors.
I am a mechanical engineer working for an engineering consulting company, my current duties are centered around design engineering (generating technical drawings to modify existing equipment, generating analysis calculations to verify intended modification for existing equipment, reviewing and updating Supplier design calculations and equipment general arrangement drawings). Design engineering as a mechanical engineer can be a very enjoyable and fulfilling career if you enjoyed technology and science based subjects in school along with having an aptitude for problem solving in math and physics.
Naledi recommends the following next steps:
Aalok Trivedi
Engineer
1
Answer
Columbus, Indiana
Updated
Aalok’s Answer
Hi Logan,
As with everything mechanical engineering is advancing your ability to think, face and solve problems, focussed more on the hardware/mechanical side of things. You might be hands on in your early career, but might become manager and leader in your later years. All those years, you are likely not going to turn wrenches on a day to day basis, but you have idea of what it takes on mechanical side of things and will be helping with design, validation, setting up manufacturing, designing bridges/rides, etc.
So if you like solving problems, innovating, working with a team, playing with hardware, it will always remain enjoyable. Moreover, there are always DIY projects at home and elsewhere, which is where you can extend your liking depending on whether you like it or not. As others have said in answer to this question and other, it mechanical engineering is an area that is required in "every" field, so that allows you a safeguard that there will always be career opportunities, doesn't matter if cars, medical, chemical, semi conductor or what area is booming. Hope this helps, good luck!
As with everything mechanical engineering is advancing your ability to think, face and solve problems, focussed more on the hardware/mechanical side of things. You might be hands on in your early career, but might become manager and leader in your later years. All those years, you are likely not going to turn wrenches on a day to day basis, but you have idea of what it takes on mechanical side of things and will be helping with design, validation, setting up manufacturing, designing bridges/rides, etc.
So if you like solving problems, innovating, working with a team, playing with hardware, it will always remain enjoyable. Moreover, there are always DIY projects at home and elsewhere, which is where you can extend your liking depending on whether you like it or not. As others have said in answer to this question and other, it mechanical engineering is an area that is required in "every" field, so that allows you a safeguard that there will always be career opportunities, doesn't matter if cars, medical, chemical, semi conductor or what area is booming. Hope this helps, good luck!