Any Mechanical Engineers or Nurses in here?

Great viewpoint. I've watched a few youtube videos on the day and life of an ME, realize I'll be at a desk more often than not likely, just find it to have a broader application / etc. Thanks!

 

If you’re looking to avoid some of the desk life (which I’m firmly sitting at as we speak, haha) then seek out the disciplines of testing and evaluation within your preferred industry. Or even a sales engineering job if you want to travel more and meet with clients.

 

Im a BioEngineer (Biomedical Engineer) by degree, but took a bunch of extra classes along the way to get my minor in MechE. That got me into my current Mechanical Engineering position over the past several years. Though Im heavily involved in Electrical too at my current job. Its to the point where I would almost be better to have my title changed to EE.

Anyway.. I digress. If you like sitting behind a computer, youll find good pay and opportunities in the MechE field. Its a very widely known field which is good imo (compared to a BioE which no one in any HR department has ever heard of before, and has no idea what the fuck that even is haha). However, you have to be honest with yourself and what an engineering job really is. I think a ton of people (Im definitely one of them) got into engineering because we like to work with our hands, build or fix shit, tinker, etc. But thats not the reality of most engineering jobs. You're to be behind a computer most of the time, probably in a cubicle. Not a bad thing, Im just saying. You'll be inside all day, you'll have to listen to your dumbass co-workers talk about dumb shit, you'll browse TW all day

The point Im trying to get at here is, if you really like to work with your hands and/or have an aversion to the office life, you may consider a program along the lines of Mechanical Engineering Technology. Some 2 some 4 year programs that focus more on the real world type of stuff. Most of the guys I know who went through that program at my school ended up as Mechanical Technicians in industries like automation, paper mills, defense, or even some in the oil industry. Still dealing with prints and drawings, but more in a re-work sense 'in the field' and much less at a desk in an office.

Food for thought

 

@PrimerTaco If there is any way you can sneak in a few accounting classes if you go for ME, I would highly recommend it.

In the aerospace and manufacturing fields I have worked in, an engineer/ops guy that can reasonably understand how a budget works is worth his weight in gold. You would be SHOCKED at how many are truly terrible at that portion of the job.

 

Thanks for the insight, I've also heard METs are more handson. I don't mind cubicle life, current AF job is a desk / "nonner" job.

 

My other fun past time, money podcasts and budgeting / investing. I'll definately look at some accounting coursework if I can after meeting with my advisor for degree planning in May.

 

Can confirm this. I do much more design and delegation than I do hands on.

 

As an RN and someone who has friends in the engineering field, I dont think you can go wrong either way. I currently work in a Trauma ICU and love what I do. The schedule is extremely flexible, you only have to work 3 days a week and the job opportunities are endless. Not to mention the options for advanced practice down the road if you choose. As a nurse you can work anywhere from a hospital, flying in a helicopter or in a courtroom. If you have any additional questions, feel free to ask/PM me.

 

Thanks man! Inbound.

 

You are talking either nursing or a graduate degree in ME correct?

Because I would not get a second bachelors in ME.

 

Do they even have graduate degree programs in ME? My BA is Natural Sciences. I've been accepted to 2 accelerated nursing BSN programs likely will be going that route.

 

My youngest daughter graduated with a nursing degree and started her career in the emergency room at a level 1 trauma hospital, after 3 years she has become a flight nurse for the same hospital. She loves the job and works only one 12 hour and one 24 hour shift per week. She also maintains her ER nurse status and is allowed to pic up shifts in the ER when she wants.
It's a amazing career for her and is truly a adrenaline packed job, but it does have some slow days due to weather keeping the flights grounded. The pay is above average in this area.

 

My son is a second semester junior @ Youngstown State as an ME major with a minor in math......he interned in HVAC last summer/fall. Not what he wanted to do but the experience helped and the offer is there again for this summer. He hopes to get into defense - Boeing makes the Apache attack helicopter, I think and he has applied for a full time job with some nuclear company who works with submarines. I think he would prefer more of the hands on as opposed to sitting behind a desk.

Daughter is a Physician Assistant (similar to nurse practitioner) in Pittsburgh working on a blood cancer (Hem-Onc) team at UPMC Shadyside across from Hillman Cancer Center. She is still in training, but seeing patients on her own already. Got fully credentialed last week and can now prescribe drugs/narcotics to the cancer patients. Her BS was in Biology (minor in chemistry, too) @ Pitt and she got her Masters in the PA program their, too. Likes her work so far.....spent a year as a nurse's aid @ Shadyside on the Stem Cell Research floor and has gotten to see a few of those patients last year doing her Hem-Onc rotation. Tough part is when one of them dies......she can get overly emotional once attached to someone. I think that will be her biggest challenge working with cancer patients.

AND, her live-in boyfriend is a RN (BSN from Akron U) at UPMC Presbyterian in the Cardiac Care ward. He likes his job, too. He had previously worked at the Cleveland Clinic for a year (not sure which dept) before moving to Pittsburgh.
His biggest issue is he is a die hard Browns/Indians/Cavs fan now living in enemy territory....Steelers/Pirates/Penguins.
Someone sliced his Indians spare tire cover on his Jeep last year.....if it was a Browns cover, they probably would have torched the whole Jeep instead!

Unfortunately for the two of them SW PA is notorious for lower pay in any medical profession/field. But they both really like the city (I grew up outside of it and hate ALL cities) and will likely be there for a good while.

So, I would say, take your pick......nursing could be more exciting - trauma/er, but also more depressing - death/children issues.

Any help or incite for my son moving on or internship info for an ME major in NE Ohio or SW Pa would also be appreciated.

 

Masters in engineering.......Wolowitcz on the Big Bang Theory has one from MIT, so I assume they are real.

 

I know they exist, but like most graduate programs probably require a certain amount of prereqs. Not to mention how likely is someone to get hired with a BA in Natural Science and MS in Mechanical Engineering.

I am leaning towards the nursing route for alot of reasons. Already paid the deposit for Loyola ABSN.

 

Either way you choose.....good luck! Money isn't everything, enjoying your job is - then it isn't so much 'work'.

 

@gordi

 

Oh for sure, if it was about money I'd stay in and commission, prior enlisted to officer pay is pretty dang good, but I'm miserable and ready to move on.

 

I’m a nurse, I went for a BS in biology the first time around so going back to school in my late twenties sucked ass but this time I knew what I wanted to do. Nursing is awesome bc of the schedule and the diversity. I have a few friends who are engineers and while they may make more than me some day they legit are always salary and have to work a lot more than me. This leaves plenty of room for my hobbies and things I enjoy. Also nursing pay is usually on a scale of experience with a little more for specialties. But I also can work more or less than your typical three 12hr shifts a week. But if you can handle the dirty side of it then it’s probably not for you.

 

Thanks man, exactly what you laid out about ME and a few other factors I decided to go with nursing. I've been accepted to an ABSN program at Loyola and a traditional transfer BSN program at Lewis, both with 92% or greater NCLEX pass rates. My cousin is a nurse so she gave me alot of insight that also helped with my decision. Now to survive nursing school as you mentioned as an adult learner lol.