Career questions tagged engineer


How has a background/degree in mechanical engineering allowed you to work across different industries? #Spring25?
Also, what skills have been the most transferable across the industries?


How do you stay creatively fulfilled in a technical role like software engineering, especially when working on projects that aren’t personally exciting?
I'm really curious about how people in tech stay motivated and avoid feeling overwhelmed. How do you keep enjoying your work when you're dealing with tough deadlines, bugs, or long hours? What helps you not burn out?

What Is the best class or extracurricular for me to get a job in aerospace engineering field.?
I will be attending The Ohio State University.

What is it like to work in the field as a mechanical engineer? #Spring25
What is it like to work in the field as a mechanical engineer? #Spring25

How do advancements in materials science impact the design and efficiency of mechanical systems?
I want to major in mechanical engineering, I have family members that have succeeded and would love to get recognized for it.

What would be the best course of action to create my own engineering firm?
I have a strong connection to the environment and have made it my goal in life to protect the earth in anyway that I can. The route I would like to pursue is through engineering products/ procedures for households and businesses that eliminate waste, while also using natural materials that are plastic free. However, I'm struggling to even pay for college currently so opening up my own firm seems like quite the personal challenge. Any advice for any stage would be greatly appreciated. Some specific things I would like to know are: What classes would be best to expand my knowledge? What are some sustainable companies that might have internships available? What is it like working at an engineering firm? What are the steps to opening one? I really believe I have a vision for the future and I would love to work hard to see it happen.

How difficult is it to go back to school as an adult after deciding to change work fields?
I am deciding to go back to school for an AAS in electronics engineering technology to pursue a more stable future for myself after a few years in tech doing QA. I am in my 30s now and have always wanted to finish my degree. How tough is it to get back in the groove of academia?

What advice do you have for college students to get engineering, specifically robotics and mechanical engineering, related internships or first jobs?
I am about to start college and want to know how to prepare myself best to get internships and a job in the engineering field.

What to do when you're entering an engineering class with no previous interest/knowledge?
I recently enrolled in a college for Automation Engineering. I thought it seemed like a cool and hands-on type of class, but never in my life have I had any association with engineering. It was never a hobby of mine, I never took any after-school classes for it, and I have never done any prior research about it. I am now regretting my decision for picking this field of study, because I barely know anything about it! It simple to watch a couple videos or research articles online about engineering, but I wish I had some previous experience. I guess my question is; have you ever gone into a major blindly? Specifically engineering. How do you combat feelings of doubt, and is it difficult to be in an engineering class if you previously had no interest or knowledge in it? #Spring25

How should you choose your classes as a Freshman? How do you create a balance between finances, interests, and classes that are necessary for your degree?
I'm an incoming engineering student at Purdue University. I want to take classes that aren't integral to my degree but things I'm interested in, like Japanese. The class selection process is difficult lol!

How do you know what type of engineering you want be?
I've wanted to be an aerospace engineering because I find rockets and airplanes interesting. Is that all there is to it or is there a deeper reason for why I should pick a certain type of engineering.

How can students entering a rigorous engineering program—like myself, Siebren , a transfer student from Lincoln Tech with a trade background in Automotive Technology and an associate’s degree in Management (3.8 GPA, Honor Society President)—effectively integrate hands-on technical skills, academic excellence, leadership experience, and personal discipline to thrive in a dual-degree engineering program at Morehouse and Georgia Tech, while also preparing to become a well-rounded mechanical engineer in a rapidly evolving global industry?
Any advice you guys have feel free to share and feel free to ask any questions you all have I'm willing to help any and everyone.

How can electrical engineering drive the development of efficient and accessible renewable energy system for the next generation??
I would imagine as I pursue my career that I would frequently come across a way to make energy more sustainable. I'm especially interested in helping homeowners become more energy-efficient and reduce their environmental impact through accessible technology.

What are your interests for your career and how did you find your interests?
At the age of eight, I discovered the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or IIHS. Their purpose is to test the safety of cars through simulating crash tests in the real world. I was amazed by the safety mechanisms in a car and I was fascinated by automotive safety and from a young age enjoyed innovation within the field. I would spend hours a day after school examining designs and structures of a car and how it would manipulate the outcome of a crash. I even played video games such as Beam MG drive that simulated car accidents. I became quite good at making predictions about how a car would perform in a safety test. When I was even younger I designed a blueprint for a roller coaster at the age of five. I was greatly interested in such engineering marvels, even if I was too young to understand how they worked. My parents and teachers would be fascinated by my ability to comprehend such complex concepts in automotive engineering at such a young age. From a young age I decided that I wanted to become an engineer for the IIHS, or be a structural designer of cars. However, I also have interests in space. It is fascinating to me the daunting size of the universe. I imagine how future civilizations would look, millions of years in the future and what problems they would encounter. I ponder if humans were the only organic beings in the universe and if there are civilizations that we do not know of that are far more technologically advanced than we are. But with a universe so massive and such large distances between everything, it is simply impossible to determine. With these areas of interest, I thought I could perhaps become an astrophysicist. I’ve spent years experimenting with what career I should embark on with the skills I have been given. For example, I volunteered at my local hospital to see if any field of medicine I enjoyed. I also had a leadership role in my high school robotics team. At the end of my journey, I am primarily interested in automotive engineering and astronomy. This is how I came upon mechanical engineering. The greatest thing about mechanical engineering is its flexibility. I desired to be an automotive engineer, and a bachelor in mechanical engineering would teach me the skill I need to know to be a safety technician in my career. Furthermore, if I decide to pursue education past a bachelor’s level, I could become an astronomer. Now in my senior year of high school as I write this, in the same cool weather my curious life-long journey started with, I hope to start a new chapter in my life. One containing a rich, fulfilling, meaningful career in the engineering field. And with this journey, I hope to pursue knowledge about the great depths of this universe.

What are some of the best scholarship opportunities for first-generation college students. ?
I am a senior in high school in the state of Arkansas. I plan on pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering alongside a pre-law track. I will be attending the University of Arkansas Honors College.

What classes should I focus on as an undergrad electrical engineer if I want to become an RF engineer?
Or what classes should I choose to take specifically if I want to become an RF engineer

What prerequisites are fundamental to Mechatronics/Electronics Engineering?
It is most appreciated if answers particularly tackle accumulative skill sets, boosting one’s academic competency, future job trajectories, valuable resources, and needed psychological/ideological compass relative to attaining the mentioned courses. Additionally, sharing experiences can do. Much thanks in advance :) #Spring25

What is the best avenue to getting a job as an engineer on a Formula 1 team?
I have dreamed of being on a Formula 1 team as an engineer, but I feel at a loss as to how I can get there. I struggle to know what the steps to achieving such a career even are. Right now I am in the midst of my College journey, Studying Mechanical Engineering. Outside of class I am part of a formula SAE team. I struggle to see what I should pursue after college in order to get a position in Formula 1.

What's the best of being a Mechanical Engineer?
Well. I'm about to finish school and a I think that I want to become a Mechanical Engineer because, for me, the world is much more interesting when we go learning how things work, and Engineering is one of the bases to know why and how the things in our universe are moved, also to know how to make them move. So, these are some of the reasons why I think I'd choose that career. Let's begin with the questions: What's the importance of Mechanical Engineering in the current world? and how is evolving this career? What book would you recommend me to begin with Mechanical Engineering? What's the best experience you had while you were studying the degree in Mechanical Engineering? also, what was the worst experience? What social skills did you develop coursing the career? Where can you work as a mechanical engineer? How do you think new technologies help in the work of a mechanical engineer? and what could be the problems that new technologies could cause in long term to the work of engineers?

What is the best advice for someone going into the engineering field trying to learn more?
I am mainly looking for advice in the biomedical engineering and anything having to do with the process of getting that degree.

For students currently pursuing a degree and aspiring to build a career in the energy sector, what strategic steps (such as internships, technical certifications, research projects, or professional networking) would you recommend focusing on during university years to maximize employability and long-term career success”?#Career25.
I am currently a university student interested in pursuing a career within the energy sector, especially in areas related to renewable energy, smart grids, and energy management systems. I would appreciate insights from professionals about the most impactful steps I can take during my academic years to enhance my career prospects and adapt to the rapidly evolving energy industry.

How can I use a degree in electrical engineering in a creative career? #Spring25
I'm studying electrical engineering in college, but I want to have a career that's creative, with art and imagination. Do you have any ideas on how I can combine my degree with my passions? #Spring25

What kind of impact in the world can future Petroleum Engineers make when it comes to improving fracking procedures ?
What effective procedures of fracking can an Engineer be able to make on the environment?

My name is Jacob. I am a high school student looking to pursue engineering. I am trying to decipher whether to go the mechanical or software engineering route. In your opinion, where will I find the most success and be fulfilled at the same time ?
I enjoy coding in my free time. I also intern for a commercial hvac company, so I have earned some experience in this field.

As someone who intends to stay in the automotive space, what are a few good tips for making the right connections while I pursue my degree?
I am currently a technician working for a NAPA affiliated shop and I've seen a lot of aftermarket companies making tools and the such. My goal out of college is to join a team that specializes in aftermarket tools(PICO, Snap on, Milwaukee, Gearwrench, etc.). I wouldn't mind working for any other company/firm as long as it deals with automotive technology/engineering.

As a first-generation college student, what challenges should I expect when pursuing a computer science degree, and how can I overcome them?
I’m a senior in high school and the first in my family to go to college. I want to major in computer science and eventually work as a software engineer. I’ve been working hard to improve my GPA and build better habits. I’m also trying to learn more about the tech field and what to expect in college. Any advice from people who’ve been through this would mean a lot.

What is the best advice for someone going into enginering? #Spring25?
What is the best advice for someone going into enginering? #Spring25

How can I be taken seriously as a woman in Engineering?
I'm a high school senior from a small southern town, and it's hard when you tell people you want to be an engineer and they look at you funny. I am also struggling to find other women in engineering.

Is it worth getting a master in engineering?
I am planning to major in mechanical engineering and got accepted to a Combined Bachelor's/Master's Degrees. Should I get a master or use that time to get more experience?