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College Degree/Career???

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by jeckel7234, Aug 10, 2012.

  1. Aug 10, 2012 at 3:54 PM
    #1
    jeckel7234

    jeckel7234 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So I've been going to school now for a lil over a year for Mech Engineering, but sadly after doing late research found out that most of them spend about 95% of their time behind a computer. I have very little interest in doing that, I love the whole design aspect of that and love working with my hands but I'm having trouble finding a degree/career path that will allow me to use both of those and still make good money. I've had structural engineering suggested to me but I'm just looking to see what else is out there before this semester starts. Thanks
     
  2. Aug 10, 2012 at 3:58 PM
    #2
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    You could do lots of hands on things with a meche degree. I work with a bunch of test engineers that deal with high explosive tests and many of them have degrees in meche or structrual engineering. Tons of hands on work there.

    Basically having a degree in Meche is very broad and you have the freedom to do many different things. I would stick it out and see what becomes of it.
     
  3. Aug 10, 2012 at 4:03 PM
    #3
    h.zack801

    h.zack801 Scumbag Extraordinaire

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    Not all engineers, especially mechanicals, sit behind a computer all the time. It depends on what type of industry you're in and where at in the company you are. Not sure how many people you have talked to but...

    I am also in school for MechE. About halfway done from my BS. During that time I have worked as an HVAC mechanic at the university. We have a couple MechEs that run things and they never sit at a computer. Always out looking and drawing new fixes for things. We've had some contracting engineers come in too to help with renovations of our water systems. They said they're always out in the field being involved.

    Do they get dirty? Eh, not really. Do they sit at a desk all day? No. It'll be different everywhere you go. And though it isn't all about the money, stick with it. You'll be making a killing if you play your cards right and you can get dirty and all hands-on with your trucks and toys if you so choose.
     
  4. Aug 10, 2012 at 5:03 PM
    #4
    barlowrs

    barlowrs Well-Known Member

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    I'm a double in Aerospace and Mech Eng and I can tell you, it depends on your position, where you work, and what field. I work in aerospace, and I have managed to get myself into a position where I use my hands all day. To give you an idea, out of the 100+ engineers that work at my location, I am the only one allowed to wear jeans and a t-shirt everyday. I am allowed to do this because I always get so dirty and covered in grease that I don't want to wear nice dress clothes. I love my job.

    As ppl have said, test engineers do a lot of hands on (mech degree can get you into test eng). I am technically a systems eng, however I do a lot of test, assembly, design, etc.

    Stick with it.
     
  5. Aug 10, 2012 at 5:07 PM
    #5
    krap22

    krap22 Well-Known Member

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    I have a friend that was a MechE and now does naval weapons testing. How can you get a better job than that.

    I was graduating college with a ComputerE degree in 2003. The job market was shit for me, but MechE's were still getting job and had a placement rate in the 80% range while CprE's were in the 45% range.
     
  6. Aug 10, 2012 at 5:24 PM
    #6
    04LTtacoma

    04LTtacoma Well-Known Member

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    I have a few friend who work with their hands who are ME. They work on a few different tools at a semiconductor plant for the EE's.

    I too am currently in school for ME, not sure what I plan on doing after I graduate. But to be honest with you I would rather sit in front of a computer and design crap then work with my hands.
     
  7. Aug 10, 2012 at 6:44 PM
    #7
    jeckel7234

    jeckel7234 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for all the good reassuring info, I've been talking to 3 diff mech eng that work at a very large shipyard and all have been doing it for about 5-8 years. But I'm really glad to hear that its not like that all around
     
  8. Aug 10, 2012 at 6:49 PM
    #8
    mountainman94

    mountainman94 awwwwww yeeeeeeeeahhhhh

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    I'm about to start school in a few weeks, and i'm starting my ChE. I've been told that engineering as a broad subject leaves you tons of doors open in lots of different areas and occupations.
     
  9. Aug 10, 2012 at 6:50 PM
    #9
    machineman89

    machineman89 Well-Known Member

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    ME is what iam goin for next..well after iam done getten my welding classes finished up....and get my AS degree as a Machinist.....hopefully my background of what iam doing right now will benefit me later on :-/
     
  10. Aug 10, 2012 at 6:51 PM
    #10
    krap22

    krap22 Well-Known Member

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    you are correct. The first 2 years is a pretty broad spectrum of stuff and then you get into your specialty. But even then, you and do a LOT of things with an engineering degree.
     
  11. Aug 10, 2012 at 6:53 PM
    #11
    machineman89

    machineman89 Well-Known Member

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    go do some maching classes, make n design your own stuff, once u have a knack for both u'll be well rounded in all areas and have more freedom, my opinion and my goal any how, i dnt get to do all i wat yet but so far iam happy, only to get better
     
  12. Aug 10, 2012 at 7:33 PM
    #12
    wileyC

    wileyC Well-Known Member

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    i'm an ME, and while i've been lazy of late and manning a PC, i can tell you that there are a wealth of opportunities available to ME's... there should be plenty of hands-on type work out there, ...so keep you nose in the textbooks, and finish that degree! ;)
     
  13. Aug 10, 2012 at 7:49 PM
    #13
    mountainman94

    mountainman94 awwwwww yeeeeeeeeahhhhh

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    Thanks for that, it's always good to hear encouraging words about the future.
     
  14. Aug 10, 2012 at 9:03 PM
    #14
    jeckel7234

    jeckel7234 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    absolutely
     

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