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How to Become a Mechanical Engineer?!

Discussion in 'Jobs & Careers' started by YoungTacoLover, Jul 1, 2011.

  1. Jul 1, 2011 at 12:45 PM
    #1
    YoungTacoLover

    YoungTacoLover [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Okay so i was thinking about becoming a GM Mechanic... Though i thought about it and i would really like to be a M.E... I love designing stuff, loved to take apart all my toys and put them togethor haha, I had designed trailers and trucks all through Elementary school! ( Got good at them too lol for an 8th grader )... Anything and everything that had to be done with making something, i did it... I made gokarts in 8th grade, out of big wheels, tires and rims, car battery. and some other metals! ( Got good at them too lol for an 8th grader )... I loved watching people make things, and i loved actually doing things even more! Im also VERY good with computers ( was going to be a Systems Software Engineer ). And now im getting ready to go to college soon, and i need a set plan so i dont mess up.


    So... What would be the proper steps in finding the right college, classes, internships... etc????

    I know i need a 4 year school for an Engineering Degree, and should take lots of math... But what classes specifically would help me the best?? And if you have any input about any schools in Arizona that would help ALOT

    Thanks alot for helping
     
  2. Jul 1, 2011 at 12:52 PM
    #2
    YoungTacoLover

    YoungTacoLover [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Also... Do i have to Attend a University?? i Live 10 mins from the UTI in Arizona... Can i become a M.E There?? Or do i have to attend a 4 year community college or University?
     
  3. Jul 1, 2011 at 12:57 PM
    #3
    YoungTacoLover

    YoungTacoLover [OP] Well-Known Member

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    There is Mesa Community College ( 4 year ) that has a class called:

    Electromechanical Technology/Electromechanical Engineering Tech

    Is that the class i want? or will this make me the " CAD Jockey " <--- ( Other recent thread )
     
  4. Jul 1, 2011 at 12:59 PM
    #4
    cdstelly

    cdstelly Member

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    The college that offers you the most scholarship based on act or sat... Aka the cheapest with that offers M.E.

    In the math dept, you'll have to take calculus 1,2 and 3, and Differential Equations. Maybe a basic Stat class too.

    Obviously your intro to physics, maybe a chemistry.

    You'll have to take a couple thermodynamics classes, a vibrations class, a couple more physics, and classes called simply Mechanics.

    You'll have a couple labs where you get to use lathes and CNCs.

    And that's ME in a nutshell! Best of luck to you.
     
  5. Jul 1, 2011 at 1:11 PM
    #5
    YoungTacoLover

    YoungTacoLover [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Ive already used those... My Highschool had a Woodshop class, i was in it for 2 years, and i passed it on the top %5 of the class for both years.

    Also i heard that UOA in Arizona is one of the Easiest schools to get into... Though its a hardcore PARTY School... Its always an option if i cant get into ASU, but it has Mechanical Engineering as a class...
     
  6. Jul 1, 2011 at 1:16 PM
    #6
    YoungTacoLover

    YoungTacoLover [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Though ASU Has a %95 acceptance rate... The ME Class itself is hard to get into... I dont have a good GPA in Highschool because i played around the entire time. I have like a 2.0 maybe even lower... I still need to complete my Senior year, so i will try my absolute hardest to get my GPA up as much as possible... Im good at school, just chose to slack ... I regret that now :/
     
  7. Jul 1, 2011 at 1:17 PM
    #7
    97yota4wd

    97yota4wd Well-Known Member

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    asu is way more of a party school than uoa haha

    but im sorry i cant really help on this topic..
     
  8. Jul 1, 2011 at 1:20 PM
    #8
    jeckel7234

    jeckel7234 Well-Known Member

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    Im in my first semester now, and w/e school you decide should have a degree plan for engineering online so you can see exactly what classes but so far at my 2 year school, as far as math goes MTH 291 Diff Equation is my highest level, and then of cousre theres other calculus classes, chemistry and physics. I dont know how high it will get when I transfer to a 4 year school, but like i said you can look up degree plans for different fields of engineering, just know that Engineering Technology is not Engineering. Good Luck
     
  9. Jul 1, 2011 at 1:35 PM
    #9
    YoungTacoLover

    YoungTacoLover [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks alot guys :) And what do you mean by get your general education done first? Do you mean go to a 2 year college for 2 years and take all the physics, chem, alll that stuff?? Then transfer to a 4 year school and go there for another 4 years studying Mechanical Engineering??
     
  10. Jul 1, 2011 at 1:41 PM
    #10
    08pretaco

    08pretaco Well-Known Member

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    I am doing mechanical engineering with am automotive concentration at Arizona state university and I'm wally happy with the classes and what iv learned about the automotive market. This is muxh different than uti which only teaches how yo work on cars but no theory and engineering behind it, from what iv heard from people who got a uti degree and are now Im my classes at asu doing my same degree.
     
  11. Jul 1, 2011 at 1:49 PM
    #11
    YoungTacoLover

    YoungTacoLover [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Mind if i PM you about the classes and stuff? Someone who is going to the school i want to, and the same stuff would help me SOOOO MUCH!
     
  12. Jul 1, 2011 at 2:11 PM
    #12
    08pretaco

    08pretaco Well-Known Member

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    Ya man NP, I'm at work all day but ill shoot you a pm back when I can
     
  13. Jul 1, 2011 at 2:12 PM
    #13
    gooch14

    gooch14 Well-Known Member

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    How old are you? I origional life plan was to become an ME. Can you find a job at a shop somewhere? That's what i did. A company near where I live had a grunt shop opening. I would sweep the floors, do some assembly work of machines they designed that low level type stuff. Then ocassionally I'd get thrown a job that didn't require a ton of experiance and would get put on a mill or lathe to 'play' Maybe get something like this while you go to college? My situation was different than most though. I was part time school full time job because I also had a child and gf to support.

    Good luck man
     
  14. Jul 1, 2011 at 2:15 PM
    #14
    Derpy Derek

    Derpy Derek Well-Known Member

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    Second year mechanical engineering here. :)
     
  15. Jul 1, 2011 at 2:22 PM
    #15
    YoungTacoLover

    YoungTacoLover [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I am 17, and yeah i know someone close who works at a shop, they are really chill people, so i may be able to do that there. but idk. I will probably be doing the same... Full time student, part time job. Because id need to pay for a truck and things that, also my family is pretty broke so no one is going to be paying for college for me, i will need to make money on my own... but idk too much of the student loan thing... so im not completly sure about the job situation
     
  16. Jul 1, 2011 at 5:43 PM
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    skytower

    skytower Well-Known Member

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    Join the service. They will pay for college, even if you don't go ROTC.

    I thought you didn't want a desk job;) ME's make better money than most techs though.
     
  17. Jul 1, 2011 at 6:04 PM
    #17
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    this^^^

    I had to take calc1-3, diff eq, and linear algebra. Also chem 1 and 2 as well as physics 1 and 2. Im now getting into the fun labs and mechanics/thermo/fluids classes.

    OP, be ready to completely devote at least 4 years of your life to studying because that is what it takes (at least at my school, New Mexico Tech). Also to be honest, you need a masters degree nowadays to guarantee a good secure job for the future.

    good luck.
     
  18. Jul 1, 2011 at 6:13 PM
    #18
    tx_shooter

    tx_shooter This place is a cesspool of bfo and spacer lifts

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    I hate to pimp the service as a way to get free schooling; but it is a great way to get some experience under your belt and money for school. IF your smart and do some classes while you are in you can use your GI Bill to finish your Bachelors or advance to a Masters.
     
  19. Jul 1, 2011 at 6:14 PM
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    P-Hill Tacoma

    P-Hill Tacoma Well-Known Member

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    I am a ME. Going on 19 years. You should start talking to your high school counselor as soon as possible. They should be able to steer you in the right direction. Getting a degree from a accredited school is important which usually means a university. If your grades cant get you accepted out of high school, some 2 year colleges offer engineering classes that will then transfer to a university so you can complete your degree there. You want to be absolutely positive they will transfer or you may be taking them over. Good luck.
     
  20. Jul 1, 2011 at 11:01 PM
    #20
    YoungTacoLover

    YoungTacoLover [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I didnt but i thought about it... And i was stuck in the mindset of like doing some freakin awesome custom trucks and stuff as a mechanic, not alot but every now and then... IDK i just thought it over, this is alot smarter decision and its something i can handle
     
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