Mechanical Engineering: Me? An ME?
Did you get straight A's in math? Do you find yourself taking things apart and putting them back together? Then you may have what it takes to be a mechanical engineer. But that might not be your only option. Earn your mechanical engineering degree and see where your career takes you.
The Diversity of Mechanical Engineers
Mechanical engineering is a diverse field that will allow you to branch out into several areas of interest. Mechanical engineers are taught to be problem-solvers and logical thinkers who can thrive in many disciplines.All in all, ME's are concerned with controlling the principles of motion, energy, and force through mechanical solutions. The wide-ranging ME field can be separated into a few different disciplines:
- Product Design - designing anything that uses mechanical motion
- Research and Development - innovating new product solutions or enhancing older ones
- Manufacturing - designing and creating the best ways to manufacture products
- Systems Management - overseeing large systems such as operating plants
- Energy - developing ways in which energy is generated, stored, and moved.
ME's: Not Necessarily Engineering
The variety of disciplines incorporated in a mechanical engineering degree will allow you to branch out to other areas of interest. With solid technical backgrounds, ME's make great marketing employees. Your technical background can be used to help modify product, but your logic and number skills will also help you determine product availability, market size, cost structure, profitability, specifications, and distribution channels.Other common alternate ME careers include banking, business, and teaching. You don't necessarily have to become an ME, however, if you're still interested in the traditional ME path, according to the US Department of Labor, your average annual starting salary as an ME graduate should be over $50,000.
Online Degrees
A university degree is the first step to a successful career in mechanical engineering, no matter what your discipline. An online or distance learning degree makes getting your education more convenient and may be ideal if you're a busy professional. Get your online mechanical engineering degree and see where your training takes you. You may be surprised.Source:
About the Author
Sue Booth is an arts and education freelance writer with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a B.S. in Physics.
