What engineering discipline are you in?

Got your back...routine, mundane, not the moment ...when your head and hands are creating that which does not exist, and becomes reality, it's not only gratifying, it's a humbling moment as well.

 

Man, that should be a quote somewhere.. very well said

 

Its gonna be part of my sig line here in a minute!

 

Mechanical Engineer, however I’m a practicing stationary engineer now at a Power Plant, I find the Pay, Retirement, and security to be better than any office, and the stress much lower. Plus I like working with my hands!

 

Pumpin’ Out the Megs right there.

 

The field parts vs office part you can figure out once you get out of school. Use internships to figure out which you actually want (take one in the office, one in the field). That being said, I'm not sure of many people who actually build, test, build, until something works. Sounds slow and expensive. Everyone I went to school with who is in manufacturing or R&D has an area of expertise. They do their design work then move to the next project. All very deadline driven and little to no tinkering involved lol.

Regarding your concerns with math classes, the proofs are dumb but necessary to complete the class. Everything builds on a previous class so make sure you not only pass the classes but understand them. Once you get into your in-major classes it will be time to apply your new found math skills. Just don't physic yourself out, everyone gets tripped up by a class or two. Upon graduation you will promptly forget 90% of what you learnt and you'll realize academics success is not the same as real world success. I'm on my third job since leaving school, each a massive jump in title/pay, and I've never been asked for transcripts or proof of education. Build and network and get some experience.

Lastly,
Do the oil and gas thing for a while, the pay is really good.

 

Been retired for 6 years. But... Mechanical Engineering degree, worked stints in Production Engineering (6 Yr), Design Engineering (10 Yr), I found my calling in Materials Engineering where I spent almost 20 years. I specialized in Microelectronic Materials and Processes. Always a car guy though.

 

Question for those who have taken the PE exam.

Since the exam is open book, is there anything wrong with bringing practice exams and solutions as long as they are bound together?

 

I brought mine. I didn’t end up using them though.

 

Civil Engineer, 10+ years in project management and estimating. Got my Masters in Computer Engineering in 2018. Now in networking and Cyber security. I've always been more inclined toward technology so the switch was well worth it.

 

Graduated this last May with a BS in Civil Engineering & serve as Project Engineer on some really cool projects. I plan to get a Masters in Geotechnical Engineering sometime soon, but for now I need a break from any schooling!

 

Mechanical Engineer. Worked at an MEP consulting firm for 10 years. Attempted to get my PE a few times unsuccessfully. Went a different path earlier this year and got a job as a construction Project Manager and I love it.

 

Cybersecurity Engineer. Did a complete career change the summer of 2019. No formal engineering training/education. I did get my MS in Information Systems - Computer Security back in 2013 however. Not 100% sure it was the right choice. Looking to get back into what I was doing before.

 

All of ‘em. I fix what the engineers & architects originally planned so it actually works out in the field. Tellin’ ‘em where they went wrong is always the fun part.

 

Anyone have any work advice for a mechanical engineering major?

I just passed my cswa exam. I know it’s extremely basic but I’ve grown quite fond of solidworks. I will have to work while I pursue my degree, so I’m wondering if I can get an entry level job within an engineering firm in the meantime but not sure what direction to go with. I’ve been looking at a few drafting positions that use solidworks but many of them want 3-5 years experience which I’m nowhere near that.

should I scrap that idea and just do as many internships as possible until I graduate? Or any entry level suggestions? I currently work three- 12hr shifts on the weekend so my schedule is pretty easy to work with.

 

Even if you don't necessarily meet the job criteria (experience) you should always apply. Worst case scenario is the employer turns you down. As for interning real-world experience is everything. You'll most likely learn more at your internship than you have in all your years at school combined (At least that is what I'm seeing while I navigate the same thing you are).

 

Have my BSME and have been a design engineer for ~7 years building electroplating equipment. 80-90% of the year its Solidworks, and the remaining is QC/Machine Shop Support/Assembly and then about 1-2 months a year its travel for machine installation.

I am trying to move out of my state (FL) and its been a challenge to find jobs that interest me in the states I'm interested in.

 

Hello All, Figured this would be a good place to post this:

I'm a mechanical engineering student that will be starting my Junior year this fall, but I'm having a hard time finding a career path that I'm passionate about. I've done 3 internship and have had mixed feelings about 2/3 of them. I really like working hands on (getting dirty, turning wrenches, fabricating, solving problems in real time), and I hate getting stuck behind a desk. I think a lot of engineering students say they want to be hands on, but are afraid to actually get in there, which has blurred the lines of "hands-on" for a lot of companies which may be a reason the "hands-on" positions I accept don't end up really being hands on. I also find working in a unionized environment, while I understand is to project operator and mechanic jobs, really prevents the engineers from being hands on. I'm thinking possibly a field engineer type position is what's right for me, since being in the field is by definition away from the desk. I really just want to talk with a few people that are engineers now and get their advice on how I should go about finding a career path that I really like and am passionate about.

Heres a brief rundown of my internships to give you guys an idea of what I've learned about myself

• Rock Quarry - Glorified Plant and Mobile Equipment Mechanic, Operator, QA: I really loved working here and I was super bummed out to leave at the end of the summer. It was a small operation of about 15 guys on site total, no engineers on site. I helped the mechanics, operated equipment, operated the plant, helped blaster drill, setup, and load explosives for a big boom boom. I do tend to romanticize this experience in my head, but it was my favorite of all positions. Every day was a different task, and even some of the repeditive and laboriuos tasks I didn't mind. My main gripe was that there wasn't engineering every day. 3 times an engineer came in and i helped run quality samples with them. twice Blasters/engineer were in for about a week to setup the the blast and I had fun with that
• Diesel Engine Product Engineer - This position was a 6 month co-op and I thought would be really fun since my team was supposed to tear down caterstrophic engine failures. That particular year didn't get a lot of engines back and I ended up doing a lot of desk work. The company was so large that there was always a "guy" for something (ie testing guy, teardown mechanic guy) that I felt like i was just organizing a bunch of people to do the work for me. I also asked several times to help with test engine teardown, and my manager always said I could but never followed through. This was also 1/2 WFH becausde of COVID, so the second part was aweful WFH and I didn't like it. Even before the WFH time I didn't really enjoy the work, since our engineering department really didn't have anything to do with the plant that we were in. They just happened to be in the same building, so it was like walking past all this fun stuff to go do my crappy job.
• Shingle Manufacturer Process/Project Engineer - This one was also a 6 month co-op and was supposed to be hands on and I made sure to ask all the questions about intern projects, hands-on, daily tasks, etc. Come to find out theres a union and engineers don't really get to do much hands on work. I feel stuck at my desk a lot. We end up paying contractors to do work for us, even design, so I'm really just managing project and i don't feel like i'm doing anything. My other projects and intangible, and I don't really get a lot of motivation without a real tangible output

Currently I think I need to be looking for some type of field engineer in the mining industry, as thats what i really seemed to like the best. Anyway, if anyone is able to help, can offer advice, is looking to hire someone for a truly hands on internship, can connect on LinkedIn, or can get me in contact with someone that can help, then please let me know.

 

I feel like mechanical engineer might not be for you, at least that’s what it sounds like to me.


I’m studying environmental engineering and I’ve been in the field everyday this summer for my internship.

then there’s also office work, which is nice when the weathers shit.


Hopefully someone chimes in to help.

 

Thanks man, I've been starting to think that myself. They typical mechanical engineering position seem to have a lot of desk work, which is why I've been looking back towards mining engineering or similar. i really liked working at that rock quarry, even though it wasn't "engineering" every day. I've talked with my current manager about how I want to proceed with my career, and he agrees that the typical process or project engineer role might not be for me and I could look into a primarily field engineer that travels to different plants or such. I'm hoping someone in here is in a similar field work field with a mechanical basis that can give me some advice

Thanks!