Is Mechanical Engineering in Your Future?

Engineers are problem-solvers:

They make things work better, more efficiently and less expensively.

Engineers are innovators:

They come up with new ideas to use scientific knowledge in new ways.

Engineers are builders:

They design and build machines and systems that make life easier.

Engineers work in teams.

Engineers have strong backgrounds in science, mathematics and technology.

A student team assembles a robot for the college's biennial Robot Triathlon competition. (Large image)

With these skills and broad training, mechanical engineers are in demand in practically every type of manufacturing and consulting organization. Mechanical engineers may work in automotive, materials processing, heavy equipment, paper, plastics, power, aerospace, chemical, electronics, or many other industries.

The work of a mechanical engineer may involve research and development of new products, design of equipment or systems, supervision of production, plant engineering, administration, sales engineering, or testing of individual machines or complete plants.

As a Mechanical Engineer You Might:

• Work in a team to develop an environmentally friendly manufacturing process.

• Use computer software to design and develop new equipment and products.

• Measure and analyze the performance of machines and devices using sensors, transducers and lasers, and simulate the system using computer modeling and virtual reality.

• Lead a team to improve the efficiency of a building, vehicle or power plant.

• Design a control system for a robot.

• Build a biomechanical system to help people live healthier lives.

• Sell and oversee the installation of pollution control equipment.