Mechanical engineers are employed in a wide variety of fields and disciplines. Mechanical devices and systems can be designed, analyzed, tested, and installed them. A large number of mechanical engineers work in the research and development of aircraft, medical devices, and other machinery.
A person interested in becoming a mechanical engineer should first consider whether they possess the necessary characteristics and qualities to succeed in this field. To be successful in this field, one must be a creative problem solver, detail-oriented, and able to think in mathematical terms. He or she should also be able to communicate effectively and work well in a group setting.
If you want to be a mechanical engineer and believe you possess the basic qualifications, the next step is to learn more about the requirements for this career path. A bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering is the minimum requirement. In order to be admitted to an undergraduate program, students must have a strong background in mathematics and science.
Most students in the United States can earn this undergraduate degree enrolling in an accredited full-time or part-time study program. Typically, these programs take four to five years to complete. To be accredited, mechanical engineering programs must meet the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology’s quality standards for the profession (ABET). This ensures that students graduate with a solid understanding of mechanical engineering fundamentals.
In addition to core engineering topics, you’ll need to take a lot of other courses to get a job as a mechanical engineer. Students will take introductory courses in a variety of fields during their first two years of study, including computing, chemistry, social sciences, and the humanities. Advanced calculus and partial differential equations are also required physics and math courses. Students focus on vibrations, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, solid mechanics, thermodynamics, and stress analysis in their final two years of study.
After earning a degree in mechanical engineering, a student can choose from a variety of entry-level mechanical engineering jobs, such as technical sales, manufacturing, or robotics. After you get a job as a mechanical engineer, you’ll need technical knowledge, work experience, and, in some cases, a license or a postgraduate degree to advance in most disciplines.
Some mechanical engineers may choose to pursue professional certification in their fields. An engineer must have a certain amount of work experience and pass a series of tests in order to obtain a license. The Fundamentals of Engineering is the first exam (FE). Most people who want to work as a mechanical engineer and plan to get licensed in the future should take this test before or shortly after graduation. To become licensed, an engineer must take and pass the Principle and Practice of Engineering (PE) test after a number of years of work experience.
Obtaining a postgraduate degree after becoming a mechanical engineer may be another way to advance in your field. Various masters and doctoral degree programs are available depending on your career path. A mechanical engineer with a doctorate in engineering, for example, could work in research or academia.