Mechanical Engineering Overview

The Field - Preparation - Day in the Life - Earnings - Employment Development - Career Path Forecast - Professional Organi ations

The Field
Mechanical engineering is one of the largest, broadest, and oldest engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers use the principles of energy, materials, and mechanics to design and manufacture machines and devices of all types. They create the processes and systems that drive technology and industry. The ey characteristics of the profession are its breadth, fle!ibility, and individuality. The career paths of mechanical engineers are largely determined by individual choices, a decided advantage in a changing world. Mechanics, energy and heat, mathematics, engineering sciences, design and manufacturing form the foundation of mechanical engineering. Mechanics includes fluids, ranging from still water to hypersonic gases flowing around a space vehicle" it involves the motion of anything from a particle to a machine or comple! structure. Mechanical engineers research, design, develop, manufacture, and test tools, engines, machines, and other mechanical devices. Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines. #ngineers in this discipline wor on power$producing machines such as electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines. They also wor on power$using machines such as refrigeration and air$conditioning e%uipment, machine tools, material handling systems, elevators and escalators, industrial production e%uipment, and robots used in manufacturing. Mechanical engineers also design tools that other engineers need for their wor . &n addition, mechanical engineers wor in manufacturing or agriculture production, maintenance, or technical sales" many become administrators or managers. 'nalysis, design, and synthesis are the ey functions of mechanical engineers. The %uestion is often how devices and processes actually wor . The first step is to visuali(e what is happening and clearly state the problem. ' mechanical engineer will then use computer$based modeling, simulation, and visuali(ation techni%ues to test different solutions.
"Mechanical Engineering Overview" Prepared as part of the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center (www.careercornerstone.org)

)esign is one of the most satisfying *obs for a mechanical engineer. To design and build a new car, you must rec on with power, weight, si(e and shape, materials, reliability, and safety. +Synthesis+ is when you pull all the factors together in a design that can be successfully manufactured. )esign problems are challenging because most are open$ended, without a single or best answer. There is no best mousetrap $$ *ust better ones. The field is notable for emphasi(ing versatility. ' mechanical engineering education is an e!cellent foundation for wor in other fields. Some mechanical engineers wor on medical problems, such as the mechanics of bones and *oints, or the fluid dynamics of the circulatory system. Mechanical engineers deal with economic issues, from the cost of a single component, to the economic impact of a manufacturing plant. M.#.,s can be found in sales, engineering management, and corporate management. -ersatility is a decided asset in a world that is undergoing constant economic, political, industrial, and social change. Mechanical engineers are educated and positioned, not only to adapt, but to define and direct change. The diversity of the field of mechanical engineering is represented in the following areas of involvement.

!asic Engineering
.undamentally, mechanical engineers are involved with the mechanics of motion and the transfer of energy from one form to another or one place to another. M#,s design and build machines for industrial and consumer use $$ virtually any machine you find, had a mechanical engineer involved with its development and production. They design heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to control the climate in homes, offices, and industrial plants, and develop refrigeration systems for the food industry. M#,s also design heat e!changers, ey components in high$tech mechanical and electronic computer e%uipment. "pplied Mechanics# Mechanics can be applied to almost anything $$ metal bars, roc s, water, the human s eleton, or comple! systems such as buildings, automobiles, and machines. The basic %uestion is how things wor and whether they wor well. To find the answers, a mechanical engineer uses a nowledge of shoc and vibration, dynamics and motion, fracture and failure in components, and the behavior of high$tech materials. /ew computer applications ma e it possible to model and visuali(e all of these processes. Fl$ids Engineering# There,s a mechanical process involved in anything that flows $$ air, water, heat and cold, even the sand along our shores. 0hatever the substance may be, M.#.,s now how to describe and control its movement. M.#.,s design fluid machines and systems $$ pumps, turbines, compressors, valves, pipelines, biological devices, hydraulic systems, and the fluid systems in car engines. The fluids engineer can be found in industries ranging from aerospace to food, manufacturing, medicine, power, and transportation.

"Mechanical Engineering Overview" Prepared as part of the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center (www.careercornerstone.org)

%eat Transfer# 1eat is generated and moved by any use of energy, in everything from computers to automobiles and ventilating systems in buildings. This is an issue in all modern technology, given today,s emphasis on conservation and wise use of resources. This field touches on combustion, power generation and transmission systems, process e%uipment, electronic devices, thermal controls in manufacturing, environmental controls, biotechnology, aerospace applications, transportation e%uipment, and even cryogenics (for those who li e to free(e things). !ioengineering# Mechanical engineering principles are used to design and perfect biomechanical devices or systems. 'lmost any part of the human organism can be described mechanically, whether it,s a nee *oint or the circulatory system. This field involves artificial organs, biomechanics, biomaterials, bio$instrumentation, biotransport processes, human factors, medical devices, biomedical modeling, and biological systems. 2ioprocess #ngineering focuses on the processes, systems, and e%uipment used in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries $$ everything from cell cultures, to bioprocessing, to unit operations. M.#.,s in this field wor closely with biologists, chemists, and chemical engineers. Tri&ology# Tribology may not be a familiar term, but if you are designing an artificial hip soc et, a laser printer, or a locomotive, you will have to thin about friction, heat, wear, bearings, and lubrication. 3therwise your product probably won,t run well or for very long. 2y reducing wear, the tribologist prevents the failure of everything from computer dis drives to the seals used in space vehicles.

Energy Conversion
0e live in a world of dependent on the production and conversion of energy into useful forms. Mechanical engineers are involved in all aspects of the production and conversion of energy from one form to another. 0e design and operate fossil fuel, hydroelectric, conventional, nuclear and cogeneration power plants. 0e design and develop internal combustion engines for automobiles, truc s and marine use and also for electrical power generation. 'nternal Com&$stion Engines# Mechanical engineers design and manufacture &C engines for mobile, marine, rail, and stationary applications. #ngine design re%uires a broad nowledge base, including mechanics, electronics, materials, and thermal sciences. Problems must be solved in fuels and combustion, inta e systems, ignition, instrumentation and controls, lubrication, materials, and maintenance. F$els ( Com&$stion Technologies# Mechanical #ngineers may speciali(e in the understanding of fuels and combustion systems in modern utility and industrial power plants or in internal combustion, gas turbine or other engines. These M#,s wor with combustion systems, fuel properties and characteristics, fuel processing and alternative fuels, and fuel handling transportation and storage. )$clear Engineering# M.#.,s in /uclear #ngineering use their nowledge of mechanics, heat, fluids, machinery and controls. They develop advanced reactors and components, heat e!changers, pressure vessels and piping, radwaste systems, and new fuel technologies. Power Engineering# Power #ngineering focuses on electricity, produced by steam and water$driven turbines. Power M.#.,s design and develop these systems, as well as industrial and marine power plants, combustion e%uipment, and the e%uipment that goes into power plants $$ condensers, cooling towers, pumps, piping, heat e!changers, and the controls to ma e it all wor .
"Mechanical Engineering Overview" Prepared as part of the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center (www.careercornerstone.org)

Energy *eso$rces
Mechanical engineers are e!perts on the conversion and use of e!isting energy sources and in developing the e%uipment needed to process and transport fuels. 't the same time, mechanical engineers are active in finding and developing new forms of energy. &n that effort, M#,s deal with the production of energy from alternate sources, such as solar, geothermal, and wind. "dvanced Energy +ystems# Most energy has come from the conversion of chemical or thermal energy into electrical and mechanical energy. M.#.,s are developing alternatives to thermal energy, power cycle devices, fuel cells, gas turbines, and innovative uses of coal, wind, and tidal flows. +olar Engineering# M.#.,s in Solar #nergy are finding new ways to produce mechanical and electrical power for heating, refrigeration, and water purification. They design devices and structures to collect solar energy, and they wor with architects to design buildings that use solar energy for heating, cooling, and lighting. Petrole$m# Mechanical engineers play important roles in the petroleum industry, wor ing in oil and gas drilling and production, offshore and arctic operations, hydrocarbon processing, synfuels and coal technology, materials, e%uipment design and manufacture, fuel transport, new fuel technologies, and pollution control. Ocean, Offshore ( "rctic Engineering# Much of our energy already comes from offshore sources. M.#.,s design and build ocean structures, systems, and e%uipment $$ hyperbaric chambers, life support e%uipment, marine vehicles, submersibles and 43-,s, propulsion systems, remote sensing systems, moorings and buoys, ship structures, and ocean mining e%uipment. 'ny given pro*ect may call for e!pertise in acoustics, construction and salvage technologies, corrosion, and high$tech materials. 3ffshore Mechanics differs from 3cean #ngineering in that it focuses more on the science of mechanics. 'n M.#. specialist in this field deals with hydrodynamics, structural mechanics, computational methods, offshore materials science, materials fatigue and fracture, hydrodynamic forces and motion, fluid$ solid$soil interactions, deepwater platforms, cable and pipeline dynamics, sensors and measurements, robots and remote control, and the mechanics of offshore drilling operations. The arctic engineer deals with a uni%ue set of problems, such as ice mechanics, pipeline operations, and the behavior of materials in cold climates.

Environment ( Transportation
Transportation is a large and growing field for mechanical engineers. #!isting modes of air and surface transport re%uire continuous improvement or replacement. M#,s wor at the cutting edge of these efforts. 0herever machines are made or used, you will find mechanical engineers. They are instrumental in the design, development and manufacturing of machines that transmit power. They are also critically involved with the environmental impact and fuel efficiency of the machines they develop and with any by$products of the fuels used to power those machines. "erospace ( "$tomotive# They used to be called +flying machines.+ -ery true. 'ircraft are, in fact, flying +machines.+ 3ne of the ma*or activities of mechanical engineers is in the design, development and manufacture of things that move on land, sea, air and in space. M.#.,s design propulsion engines and structural component systems, crew and passenger accommodations and life support systems. M.#.,s also develop the e%uipment used to build automotive, aircraft, marine and space vehicles.
"Mechanical Engineering Overview" Prepared as part of the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center (www.careercornerstone.org)

Environmental Engineering# Most environmental conditions involve a mechanical process $$ the movement of heat, noise, or pollutants in air, soil, or water. M.#.,s deal with %uestions about environmental impact and recyclability in the design of products and systems. They use modeling techni%ues to understand air, ground, and water pollution and to develop effective controls. .or e!ample, M.#.,s analy(ed and modeled the mechanical relationship between power plant emissions and acid rain in the northeastern states. )oise Control ( "co$stics# Sound is a mechanical phenomenon $$ the movement of waves or vibrations through solids, li%uids, or space. 'coustics is the art and science of producing, analy(ing, and controlling sound. ' mechanical engineering bac ground can help to solve problems in noise control, flow$related noise and vibration, industrial acoustics, instrumentation, acoustical materials, and structures. *ail Transportation5 'll aspects of mechanical engineering can be applied to the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of rail and mass$transit systems. Technologies developed in aerospace and energy conversion are being applied to a new generation of locomotives and cars for freight, passenger, and transit services. +olid -aste Processing# Solid waste processing is a ey aspect of environmental protection and energy conservation. M.#.,s are involved in the design and construction of solid waste processing facilities, and in wor related to recycling, resource recovery, and the new technologies for waste$to$energy and biomass conversion.

Engineering ( Technology Management

0or ing in pro*ect teams is a way of life for mechanical engineers. )eciding which pro*ects to underta e and leading those pro*ects to a successful conclusion is the *ob of e!perienced engineers who move into management. 3n the safety front, all pro*ects involve safety issues. 2y its very nature mechanical engineering involves the harnessing and channeling of the forces of nature, forces which are often e!tremely powerful. Consider the contained +e!plosion+ that inflates an automobile air bag or the mechanical forces involved in bringing an airplane load of people to a safe and comfortable landing, or the safety and reliability of an elevator, a power plant, or an incubator for pre$maturely born infants. Management# Mechanical engineering careers often lead to pro*ect, division, or corporate management, on a domestic or international scale. M.#. managers deal with a variety of issues $$ %uality control, safety, teamwor and productivity, communications, finance, professional development and training, product and mar et analysis, sales and service, and computer systems.

Man$fact$ring
&n contemporary manufacturing companies, mechanical engineers play a ey role in the +reali(ation+ of products, wor ing closely with other engineers and specialists in corporate management, finance, mar eting, and pac aging. M#,s design products, select materials and processes, and convert them to finished products. They design and manufacture machine tools $$ literally the machines that ma e machines and design entire manufacturing processes, aided by the latest technologies in automation and robotics. .inally, the finished products are transported in e%uipment designed by mechanical engineers. This is the largest area of employment for mechanical engineers, especially when the process and te!tile industries are included. ' finished product re%uires the right materials, a viable plant and e%uipment, and a manufacturing system. This all comes within the purview of mechanical, manufacturing and industrial engineers.
"Mechanical Engineering Overview" Prepared as part of the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center (www.careercornerstone.org)

Man$fact$ring Engineering# 'bout half of all M.#.,s wor in companies that manufacture +something,+ such as consumer goods, transportation, or industrial e%uipment. 'nother 678 wor in the process industries, li e petrochemical or pharmaceutical. The challenges are as diverse as the products $$ from miniature devices used by surgeons, to dis drives, or massive pieces of industrial e%uipment. This wor calls for a nowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, thermal processes, controls, electronics, and, as in all of engineering $$$ teamwor s ills. Materials %andling Engineering# Materials must be delivered at the right time, place, and in the right form $$ a challenge with the costly, e!otic, and sometimes ha(ardous materials used in some industries. Some M.#.,s speciali(ed in materials transportation, handling e%uipment and procedures, ha(ard control technologies, and in the training of employees who will wor with these materials. Plant Engineering ( Maintenance# Competitive industries must often update their plants, manufacturing e%uipment, and operating procedures. This must be done %uic ly and with the least possible disruption. M.#.,s in plant engineering focus on systems, e%uipment, processes, and facilities. They provide creative solutions that allow companies to meet their goals for %uality, safety, and cost. Process 'nd$stries# The M.#. 9process engineer, changes materials from one form to another or gives them new properties. They can then be used in manufacturing components and finished products. The M.#. :process engineer, designs and builds the systems and machines that heat, cool, soften, harden, or li%uefy substances $$ anything from industrial fluids and gases, to metals, or even food products and pharmaceuticals. Te.tile Engineering# Te!tile manufacturing is a global industry that depends on automated e%uipment to prepare and handle fibers, weave or nit fabrics, manufacture finished apparel, and handle finished products. Multinational te!tile industries turn to M.#.,s for e!pertise in plant design and construction, e%uipment installation, programming and control techni%ues, operations, and maintenance.

Materials ( +tr$ct$res
&n order to arrive at the best design for a product, mechanical engineers use a wide variety of metal, plastic, ceramic materials. They also use composites made up of more than one type of material. 3nce designed, built and in service, elements li e pipeline welds and sections, gears and other drive$train elements may need inspection for structural integrity or the effects of mechanical wear. /on$)estructive #valuation, as its name implies, allows M#,s to use ;$ray, magnetic particle, ultrasound and other techni%ues to e!amine the internal condition of structural and machine parts, without causing them to fail or without removing them from service. This analysis is particularly important in assuring the reliability and safety of pressure vessels and piping systems. Materials Engineering# Materials has grown into a distinct and important technology. Mechanical engineers focus on the behavior and selection of materials $$ preferably before they become part of machines or comple! structures. The Materials M.#. focuses on the properties of materials and their effect on design, fabrication, %uality, and performance. M.#.,s find ways to give materials specific properties $$ strength, ductility, and resistance to fracture, fatigue, and corrosion. The goal is to have materials that can be casted, forged, stamped, rolled, machined, or welded. Mechanical engineers are interested in many aspects of plant engineering, including the pressure vessels and piping that are an essential part of many industrial plants and processes.

"Mechanical Engineering Overview" Prepared as part of the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center (www.careercornerstone.org)

)on-Destr$ctive Eval$ation# The manager of a large petrochemical plant needs to now whether a massive pressure vessel and two pumps are maintaining their structural integrity. There,s a <=$<= chance that it won,t be possible to reassemble the e%uipment once it,s ta en apart, and replacement will force a month$long shutdown. &t,s time to call in a mechanical engineer who speciali(es in /on$)estructive #valuation $$ materials testing, non$destructive testing, pressure vessel research, welding technologies, e%uipment design, and repair strategies. Press$re /essels ( Piping# Many industries depend on pressure vessels and piping to perform critical functions. These vessels must be durable and safe when sub*ected to high$temperatures, pressure, corrosion, or undersea conditions. Mechanical engineers develop materials that will resist fatigue and fracture, plan the fabrication of e%uipment, perform inspections and tests, and design components using computer visuali(ation and modeling techni%ues.

+ystems ( Design
Most mechanical engineers wor in the design and control of mechanical, electromechanical and fluid power systems. 's a mechanical engineer functioning as a design engineer it is li ely that you would be involved with one or more technical specialties, for e!ample5 4obotic System )esign" Computer Coordinated Mechanisms" #!pert Systems in )esign" Computer$ 'ided #ngineering" >eometric )esign" )esign 3ptimi(ation" ?inematics and )ynamics of Mechanisms" Cam )esign@>ear )esign" Power Transmission" or )esign of Machine #lements. )esign engineers ta e into account a truly wide number of factors in the course of their wor , such as5 product performance, cost, safety, manufacturability, serviceability, human factors, aesthetic appearance, durability, reliability, environmental impact and recycleability. Dynamic +ystems ( Control# 0here there is movement there must be control. ' modern production line is a dynamic system, because its movement and speed can be controlled. M.#.,s create the software, hardware, and feedbac devices that form control and robotic systems. This re%uires a nowledge of heat and mass transfer, fluid and solid mechanics, the plants or processes to be controlled, elements of electronics and computers. Controls are needed everywhere $$ in aerospace and transportation, biomedical e%uipment, production machinery, energy and fluid power systems, e!pert systems, and environmental systems. Fl$id Power +ystems ( Technology# Aou have been as ed to design a massive vehicle to transport roc et boosters around the ?ennedy Space Center. ' conventional transmission won,t wor because of the weight and sheer inertia that the vehicle must overcome. Aou need to apply a lot of power very gradually, so you employ a fluid power coupling. These technologies are used in automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, and power industries, in situations that call for a fle!ible and precise application of power in large amounts. Design Engineering# M.#.,s design components, entire machines, comple! structures, systems and processes. This wor re%uires a nowledge of the basic sciences, engineering principles, materials, computer techni%ues, manufacturing methods, and even economics. /ew and challenging problems come along with regularity. &f you are wor ing for an aircraft company, today,s problem may be vibration in an engine" tomorrow it may be wind noise, stress on the landing gear, or a need to increase lift at low speeds.
"Mechanical Engineering Overview" Prepared as part of the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center (www.careercornerstone.org)

Comp$ters in Engineering# Mechanical engineers have developed a wealth of computer applications software, based on their nowledge of mechanics, fluids, heat, inetics, and manufacturing. Some of the interests in this area include computer$aided design and simulation" computer$aided manufacturing" finite element analysis" visuali(ation techni%ues" robots and controls" computer vision and pattern recognition" systems (hardware, software, and networ s)" and management information systems. M0E01s in the Electrical ( Comp$ter 'nd$stries# There are mechanical components in electrical, electronic, and computer e%uipment, all of which is manufactured through automated and mechanical processes, all components must fit precisely, and unwanted heat must be transferred elsewhere. 'll of these activities are in the domain of mechanical engineering. The PC is very largely a mechanical device. Consider dis drives, circuit boards, eyboards, the chasis structure, and, of course, the mouseB Electrical ( Electronic Pac2aging# ' large number of mechanical engineers wor for the manufacturers of electrical, electronic, and computer e%uipment. The ma*or focus for M.#.,s in this area is the physical design and manufacture of these products in such a way that unwanted heat is removed and desired heat is retained where and to the degree it is needed. 'nformation +torage ( Processing +ystems# Cuite a few mechanical engineers wor for companies that manufacture computer peripherals. 'ny storage device on your computer $$ the C), )-), dis ette, or hard drives $$ has electrical, electronic, and mechanical components. M.#.,s help to design and manufacture these precision devices. Their interests touch on hard dis technologies, data storage and e%uipment, wear and lubrication in data storage devices, micro$sensors, and controls. Microelectromechanical +ystems# Micro$electromechanical systems (M#MS) combines computers with tiny mechanical devices such as sensors, valves, gears, and actuators embedded in semiconductor chips. ' M#MS device contains micro$circuitry on a silicon chip into which a mechanical device such as a mirror or a sensor has been constructed. 'mong the presently available uses of M#MS or those under study are5 6) Sensors built into the fabric of an airplane wing so that it can sense and react to air flow by changing the wing surface resistance" effectively creating a myriad of tiny wing flaps, D) Sensor$driven heating and cooling systems that dramatically improve energy savings, and E) 2uilding supports with imbedded sensors that can alter the fle!ibility properties of a material based on atmospheric stress sensing.

Preparation
&f you are curious about how things wor or how things are made" marvel at seeing ideas transformed into physical reality, find yourself stimulated by the process of trying to improve the way something wor s" have en*oyed being a part of a team that wor together to accomplish something" or if you are stimulated by your math, science and technology studies, even though, and perhaps because, they can be challenging $$ you have already started down the road toward becoming a mechanical engineer. Some people choose mechanical engineering because they see it as the best way to put to use their interests in math, physics, and technology.
"Mechanical Engineering Overview" Prepared as part of the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center (www.careercornerstone.org)

.or many, however, it all begins with a fascination for things that move $$ cars, trains, planes, spacecraft, amusement par rides. 'nd for others, family or friends in the mechanical engineering profession provide the initial encouragement. -irtually anything that can be imagined, designed, and built has a mechanical engineering aspect to it. ' bachelor,s degree in engineering is re%uired for almost all entry$level engineering *obs. College graduates with a degree in a physical science or mathematics occasionally may %ualify for some engineering *obs, especially in specialties in high demand.

+t$dying M0E0
Mechanical #ngineering programs provide more than technical training5 they teach the more sophisticated s ills of analysis and problem$solving that apply to most any type of engineering, manufacturing, business ventures, management, or even legal practice. They teach you how to learn, thought processes and approaches that will serve you throughout your life and career. .rom the very beginning, but especially in your third and fourth years, you will be involved in pro*ects that will give you e!perience in the thin ing and problem$solving processes that are the essence of what it means to be an engineer.

Ma.imi e the E.perience

0or e!perience is one of the best ways to enhance your education and employment prospects, perhaps through a co$ op program, internship, or summer *ob. Many co$op students and interns are hired after graduation by the same employers, and best of all, they start with a clearer sense of their interests, capabilities, and career paths to follow within a company or industry. #mployers prefer people whose practical and teamwor e!periences ma e them +ready to produce.+ 'part from wor e!perience, students should consider an elective course in public spea ing, or get into student organi(ations such as an 'SM# Student Section on campus, where they can practice their presentation and +people+ s ills. #ngineers are e!pected to present ideas and plans to other engineers, management, ban ers, production personnel, and customers. #ven great ideas are worthless if they cannot be communicated.

"ccredited Programs
Those interested in a career in mechanical engineering should consider reviewing engineering programs that are accredited by '2#T, &nc. '2#T accreditation is based on an evaluation of an engineering program,s student achievement, program improvement, faculty, curricular content, facilities, and institutional commitment. The following is a current list of all universities offering accredited degree programs in mechanical engineering.

The 3niversity of "2ron "la&ama "(M 3niversity 3niversity of "la&ama at !irmingham The 3niversity of "la&ama in %$ntsville The 3niversity of "la&ama 3niversity of "las2a Fair&an2s "lfred 3niversity "ri ona +tate 3niversity

)aval Postgrad$ate +chool 3niversity of )e&ras2a-Lincoln 3niversity of )evada-Las /egas 3niversity of )evada-*eno 3niversity of )ew %ampshire 3niversity of )ew %aven )ew 4ersey 'nstit$te of Technology College of )ew 4ersey

"Mechanical Engineering Overview" Prepared as part of the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center (www.careercornerstone.org)

3niversity of "ri ona "r2ansas Tech 3niversity 3niversity of "r2ansas "$&$rn 3niversity !a2er College !aylor 3niversity !oise +tate 3niversity !oston 3niversity !radley 3niversity !righam 5o$ng 3niversity !righam 5o$ng 3niversity - 'daho !rown 3niversity !$c2nell 3niversity California 'nstit$te of Technology California Maritime "cademy California Polytechnic +tate 3niversity, +an L$is O&ispo California +tate Polytechnic 3niversity, Pomona California +tate 3niversity, Chico California +tate 3niversity, Fresno California +tate 3niversity, F$llerton California +tate 3niversity, Long !each California +tate 3niversity, Los "ngeles California +tate 3niversity, )orthridge California +tate 3niversity, +acramento 3niversity of California, !er2eley 3niversity of California, Davis 3niversity of California, 'rvine 3niversity of California, Los "ngeles 3niversity of California, *iverside 3niversity of California, +an Diego 3niversity of California, +anta !ar&ara Carnegie Mellon 3niversity Case -estern *eserve 3niversity The Catholic 3niversity of "merica Cedarville 3niversity 3niversity of Central Florida Christian !rothers 3niversity 3niversity of Cincinnati Clar2son 3niversity Clemson 3niversity Cleveland +tate 3niversity 3niversity of Colorado at !o$lder 3niversity of Colorado at Colorado +prings 3niversity of Colorado at Denver and %ealth +ciences Center Colorado +tate 3niversity Col$m&ia 3niversity 3niversity of Connectic$t The Cooper 3nion Cornell 3niversity 3niversity of Dayton 3niversity of Delaware 3niversity of Denver 3niversity of Detroit Mercy 3niversity of the District of Col$m&ia-/an

)ew Me.ico 'nstit$te of Mining and Technology )ew Me.ico +tate 3niversity 3niversity of )ew Me.ico 3niversity of )ew Orleans +tate 3niversity of )ew 5or2 at !inghamton +tate 3niversity of )ew 5or2 at !$ffalo )ew 5or2 'nstit$te of Technology City 3niversity of )ew 5or2, City College )orth Carolina "gric$lt$ral and Technical +tate 3niversity 3niversity of )orth Carolina at Charlotte )orth Carolina +tate 3niversity at *aleigh )orth Da2ota +tate 3niversity 3niversity of )orth Da2ota 3niversity of )orth Florida )ortheastern 3niversity )orthern "ri ona 3niversity )orthern 'llinois 3niversity )orthwestern 3niversity )orwich 3niversity 3niversity of )otre Dame Oa2land 3niversity Ohio )orthern 3niversity The Ohio +tate 3niversity Ohio 3niversity O2lahoma Christian 3niversity O2lahoma +tate 3niversity The 3niversity of O2lahoma Old Dominion 3niversity Fran2lin -0 Olin College of Engineering Oregon +tate 3niversity 3niversity of the Pacific Pennsylvania +tate 3niversity Pennsylvania +tate 3niversity, !ehrend College 3niversity of Pennsylvania 3niversity of Pitts&$rgh Polytechnic 3niversity Polytechnic 3niversity of P$erto *ico Portland +tate 3niversity 3niversity of Portland Prairie /iew " ( M 3niversity Princeton 3niversity 3niversity of P$erto *ico, Mayag$e Camp$s P$rd$e 3niversity at -est Lafayette P$rd$e 3niversity Cal$met *ensselaer Polytechnic 'nstit$te 3niversity of *hode 'sland *ice 3niversity *ochester 'nstit$te of Technology 3niversity of *ochester *ose-%$lman 'nstit$te of Technology *owan 3niversity *$tgers, The +tate 3niversity of )ew 4ersey +aginaw /alley +tate 3niversity +aint Lo$is 3niversity +aint Martin1s 3niversity

)ess Camp$s Dre.el 3niversity D$2e 3niversity 3niversity of Evansville Fairfield 3niversity-+chool of Engineering Florida " ( M 3niversity6Florida +tate 3niversity 7F"M3-F+38 Florida "tlantic 3niversity Florida 'nstit$te of Technology Florida 'nternational 3niversity 73niversity Par28 3niversity of Florida 9annon 3niversity The 9eorge -ashington 3niversity 9eorgia 'nstit$te of Technology 9on aga 3niversity 9rand /alley +tate 3niversity 9rove City College 3niversity of %artford 3niversity of %awaii at Manoa %enry Cogswell College %ofstra 3niversity 3niversity of %o$ston %oward 3niversity 'daho +tate 3niversity 3niversity of 'daho 3niversity of 'llinois at Chicago 3niversity of 'llinois at 3r&ana-Champaign 'llinois 'nstit$te of Technology 'ndiana 'nstit$te of Technology 'ndiana 3niversity-P$rd$e 3niversity Fort -ayne 'ndiana 3niversity-P$rd$e 3niversity 'ndianapolis 'owa +tate 3niversity 3niversity of 'owa The 4ohns %op2ins 3niversity :ansas +tate 3niversity The 3niversity of :ansas 3niversity of :ent$c2y 7E.tended Camp$sPad$cah8 3niversity of :ent$c2y :ettering 3niversity Lafayette College La2e +$perior +tate 3niversity Lamar 3niversity Lawrence Technological 3niversity Lehigh 3niversity 3niversity of Lo$isiana at Lafayette Lo$isiana +tate 3niversity and "(M College Lo$isiana Tech 3niversity 3niversity of Lo$isville Loyola Marymo$nt 3niversity 3niversity of Maine Manhattan College Mar;$ette 3niversity

+an Diego +tate 3niversity +an Francisco +tate 3niversity +an 4ose +tate 3niversity +anta Clara 3niversity +eattle 3niversity 3niversity of +o$th "la&ama 3niversity of +o$th Carolina +o$th Da2ota +chool of Mines and Technology +o$th Da2ota +tate 3niversity 3niversity of +o$th Florida 3niversity of +o$thern California +o$thern 'llinois 3niversity at Car&ondale +o$thern 'llinois 3niversity-Edwardsville +o$thern Methodist 3niversity +o$thern 3niversity and "gric$lt$ral ( Mechanical College +t0 Clo$d +tate 3niversity 3niversity of +t0 Thomas +tanford 3niversity +tevens 'nstit$te of Technology +tony !roo2 3niversity +yrac$se 3niversity Temple 3niversity 3niversity of Tennessee at Chattanooga 3niversity of Tennessee at :no.ville Tennessee +tate 3niversity Tennessee Technological 3niversity Te.as " ( M 3niversity Te.as " ( M 3niversity - :ingsville 3niversity of Te.as at "rlington 3niversity of Te.as at "$stin 3niversity of Te.as at El Paso The 3niversity of Te.as at +an "ntonio 3niversity of Te.as at Tyler Te.as Tech 3niversity The 3niversity of Te.as-Pan "merican The 3niversity of Toledo Tri-+tate 3niversity T$fts 3niversity T$lane 3niversity The 3niversity of T$lsa T$ra&o 3niversity T$s2egee 3niversity 3nion College 3nited +tates "ir Force "cademy 3nited +tates Coast 9$ard "cademy 3nited +tates Military "cademy 3nited +tates )aval "cademy 3tah +tate 3niversity 3niversity of 3tah /alparaiso 3niversity /ander&ilt 3niversity 3niversity of /ermont /illanova 3niversity /irginia Commonwealth 3niversity /irginia Military 'nstit$te

3niversity of Maryland !altimore Co$nty 3niversity of Maryland College Par2 3niversity of Massach$setts "mherst 3niversity of Massach$setts Dartmo$th Massach$setts 'nstit$te of Technology 3niversity of Massach$setts Lowell The 3niversity of Memphis Miami 3niversity 3niversity of Miami Michigan +tate 3niversity Michigan Technological 3niversity 3niversity of Michigan 3niversity of Michigan-Dear&orn Milwa$2ee +chool of Engineering 3niversity of Minnesota D$l$th Minnesota +tate 3niversity, Man2ato 3niversity of Minnesota-Twin Cities Mississippi +tate 3niversity 3niversity of Mississippi Misso$ri 3niversity of +cience and Technology 3niversity of Misso$ri-Col$m&ia 3niversity of Misso$ri-:ansas City 3niversity of Misso$ri-+t0 Lo$is Montana +tate 3niversity - !o eman

/irginia Polytechnic 'nstit$te and +tate 3niversity 3niversity of /irginia -ashington +tate 3niversity -ashington 3niversity 3niversity of -ashington -ayne +tate 3niversity -entworth 'nstit$te of Technology -est Te.as "(M 3niversity -est /irginia 3niversity -est /irginia 3niversity 'nstit$te of Technology -estern :ent$c2y 3niversity -estern Michigan 3niversity -estern )ew England College -ichita +tate 3niversity -idener 3niversity -il2es 3niversity 3niversity of -isconsin-Madison 3niversity of -isconsin-Milwa$2ee 3niversity of -isconsin-Platteville -orcester Polytechnic 'nstit$te -right +tate 3niversity 3niversity of -yoming 5ale 3niversity 5or2 College of Pennsylvania 5o$ngstown +tate 3niversity

Day in the Life

There is no typical day for most M.#.,s. #ngineering pro*ects are multi$disciplinary organi(ational efforts often involving scores of people inside and outside the company. Pro*ect life cycles call for different s ills and people at different times. The issues and challenges start$off numerous and evolve throughout the pro*ect. &t is difficult to characteri(e a typical day under these circumstances. Faced within and among other activities is a great deal of communication $$$ on the phone, via e$mail, in meetings, in memos and reports. /o engineer wor s alone. #ngineering is a team sport. Some pro*ects will turn over in a wee , some in three months or a year, and pro*ects may run concurrently. 0or load can change as a pro*ect advances or encounters obstacles. )iversity and challenge are among the things that mechanical engineers li e about their wor .

First 4o& ( !eyond

0hat are you li ely to be doingG &n their first *ob, about half of today,s mechanical engineers have a primary focus on some form of design engineering and three$%uarters do some wor in this area. Product, Systems, and Plant #%uipment )esign are forms of design engineering. This can be a broadening e!perience, for engineering designers often wor in teams consisting of engineers of different disciplines who wor in design, production, testing, sales and service, people with finance, legal and mar eting bac grounds and pro*ect and corporate management. The solution to a problem may re%uire learning new things in other fields, which can help to develop career options that may not be apparent when you are *ust starting out. Some M.#.,s are surprised by the responsibilities that go with their first *ob. /o one e!pects you to now

everything on )ay 3ne, but you will be e!pected to learn by doing the *ob, improving and growing as you move forward. Aou won,t be doing this alone, for much of your wor will involve interaction with managers and members of your pro*ect team.

)o Coo2&oo2 +ol$tions
Aour courses and pro*ects in mechanical engineering will introduce you to the ways of engineering, but then e!perience intervenes. 3ut in the real world you will find that it,s not *ust a matter of applying a formula or theory. Most problems simply don,t have a +coo boo + solution, so you have to draw upon all of your education and e!perience, and you will routinely have to learn new things to solve a problem. This will be a challenge, but also is a great source of satisfaction as you move forward.

+atisfactions
Mechanical engineers en*oy ma ing a contribution to improving the %uality of life. 0hether it,s improving the performance and safety of an automobile, or the latest in medical diagnostic e%uipment or gas turbine engines, M.#.,s en*oy being part of the solution of an important problem. .inding satisfaction in overcoming obstacles, whether they are technical, financial, legal, or managerial is central to the engineering psyche. Many find satisfaction in the variety of *obs that they do, the opportunities for travel and meeting people, the completion of pro*ects, and the nowledge that they,ve done something that not everyone can do. .or some it,s simply the satisfaction of seeing their designs in production, used, and en*oyed by people.

Challenges
Mechanical engineers thrive on solving comple! problems. These are not purely technical problems $$ M.#.,s deal with management re%uirements, uni%ue customer needs, budgetary and legal constraints, environmental and social issues, as well as changes in technology. &t is the M.#.,s training in mathematics, the sciences, engineering fundamentals, and computer applications that provides the ability to anticipate and respond to change. .or the wor ing engineer, the ey is staying abreast of emerging technologies. That,s where 'SM#,s lifelong learning programs can provide the tools that you need, when you need them.

Engineering Means !$siness

Mechanical engineering and business are closely intertwined. M#,s develop products and services to meet the customer needs and cost ob*ectives identified by corporate management. M#,s advise financial and mar eting managers on the feasibility of new initiatives, and when all systems are +go,+ they design and build the production facilities. More important, but less obvious, are the thousands of #ngineering Service companies, many of which are large businesses. 2usiness and management occupations are ma*or career options for mechanical engineers.

9lo&al Engineering
&n a global economy many employers compete for business overseas, have multinational operations, and wor through overseas partners. Product reali(ation is often an international team effort, in which a manufacturing company might design a product in the H.S., modify it for assembly in #urope, use overseas contractors and suppliers, or set up and run a plant in >ermany. #ven if you do not wor overseas, it,s entirely possible that you will someday be dealing with international clients. Fanguage s ills could become an item on your list of +lifelong learning+ ob*ectives. ' number of H.S. engineering schools participate in e!change programs with universities in the 'mericas, #urope, 'sia, 'frica and beyond. Students who participate in these programs find that language s ills and international e!periences distinguish them from other engineering graduates and *ob candidates. Fater on, engineers with this bac ground have a wider choice of assignments.

Comm$nication and Teamwor2

3ne image of mechanical engineers is that they spend most of their time doing engineering analysis. /ot true. 0hen you tal to a group of wor ing M.#.,s, they spea of their roles as planners, decision$ma ers, and managers who need communication and +people+ s ills as much as technical nowledge or hands$on s ills. 3ne of the most important things to see during your undergraduate years is e!perience in teamwor . The graduates who are in greatest demand are those who have teamwor e!perience, ac%uired through laboratory wor , team pro*ects, e!tracurricular activities, and *obs $$ co$op, part$time, or summer.

Diversity
#ngineering continues to diversify in terms of the gender, ethnicity, and national origins of students and graduates entering the engineering wor force. Mechanical #ngineering offers e!cellent opportunities for women and minority students who want D6st century careers that are challenging, progressive, fle!ible, and well$paying. ' study by the Society of 0omen #ngineers (S0#) found that although women were awarded slightly over 678 of all engineering degrees, a greater proportion of women choose to earn graduate degrees. 0omen were also somewhat more li ely to be wor ing for large or very large companies. -arious organi(ations specifically serve women and minority engineering students through programs for high school students as well as wor ing professionals. Iust as students +networ + through 'SM# and its student sections, additional important contacts with fellow students and wor ing engineers can be made through these organi(ations. Several of the ma*or organi(ations are listed in the )ata .ile.

Professionalism
#thics and Professional 4esponsibility5 #thics are standards or rules that govern your behavior in a given situation. That doesn,t mean that the rules can change with each situation $$ they should stay the same. 3ne indication of a true profession is the e!istence of a code of ethics and a clear sense of professional responsibility. .or an engineer, an ethical +situation+ could be when you have to choose between doing what is best for the customer or the public, or doing whatever is best for you $$ they may not be the same. &t could be a situation where you have used someone else,s ideas $$ have you given them credit or compensationG 3r it could be a %uestion of being %ualified to do a certain ind of wor . Situations often come up in the design, development, and manufacture of products. This is why %uestions of ethics, safety J health, and reliability are built into the design pro*ects you will do as a mechanical engineering student.

Earnings
#arnings for engineers vary significantly by specialty, industry, and education. #ven so, as a group, engineers earn some of the highest average starting salaries among those holding bachelor,s degrees. 'ccording the H.S. )epartment of Fabor, 2ureau of Fabor Statistics, the median income for mechanical engineers is K7L,M<=. 'ccording to a D==N salary survey by the /ational 'ssociation of Colleges and #mployers, mechanical engineering graduates saw one of the higher$ end increases of the engineering disciplines. Their average salary offer rose

<.N percent to K<O,7L<, pushed along by a good number of offers from aerospace manufacturers who e!tended an average offer of K<7,EMD to mechanical engineering grads. &n addition, an 'SM# Career Path Survey indicates that5 #!perience counts5 0ithout ad*usting for inflation, mechanical engineers with 6= years of e!perience reported a 6=78 salary gain, while those with 6< years of e!perience reported a DOL8 difference between their starting and current salary. #ducation counts5 &n the early years of your career, a Master,s degree is a decided plus factor in competing for many of the more desirable positions. Money is a very important factor in career planning, but it is by no means the only important factor. The choice of a career trac counts5 &n larger companies, there are salary differences between the management and technical trac s. &n a large company, your *ob may revolve around a fairly specific role, while smaller companies may offer faster growth in terms of responsibilities, the breadth of e!perience, and salary. 0hen comparing *ob offers from large and small companies, salary isn,t everything. Thin about growth potential, support for your continuing education, technical resources, and always consider the stability of the hiring division or company $$ and don,t forget to factor in the cost of living in the local area. &n the long run, many engineers plan their career around the type of wor that they find most satisfying. Money doesn,t seem to compensate enough if you find that you,re going everyday to a *ob you don,t li e that,s not ta ing you where you want to go.

Employment
'ccording to the H.S. 2ureau of Fabor Statistics, mechanical engineers hold about DDN,=== *obs. This represents 6<.68 of the 6.< million *obs held by engineers in the H.S. Mechanical engineers are capable of wor ing in a wide variety of industry sectors, and new technologies will create industries that don,t e!ist today. Aour opportunities are determined by education, your interests and attitudes, and the contacts that you ma e. 'ccording to an 'SM# Career Path Survey, about half of mechanical engineers were employed in the original e%uipment industries. The ne!t largest industry sector was non$manufacturing employers, followed by process industries.

Eval$ating Employers
4emember that there are two parties in an employment relationship. 0hen preparing for any *ob search, write down what you e!pect from an employer and a *ob. This may not be easy the first time, when you can,t fall bac on e!perience. Setting money aside for a moment, here are five %uestions that wor ing engineers see as important5
Can & e!pect a variety of assignments, and will those assignments provide :hands$on, e!perience in interesting, worthwhile areasG 0ill these pro*ects prepare me for bigger and better thingsG 1ow much actual responsibility will & have for the pro*ects assigned to meG 0hat ind of team will & be assigned to, and what will be my roleG 0ill & get a chance to broaden my e!perience by wor ing in different areas of the companyG )oes the company have rotational assignmentsG 0ere the people who & met during my interview energetic and enthusiastic about their *obsG 0as there anything about employee morale that didn,t seem positiveG &s there support for continuing education, through in$house training, graduate studies, or other professional education programsG

4o& +earch
'bout 7=8 of mechanical engineering graduates say that they find *obs through their campus placement office, while some conduct their own *ob search, particularly where speciali(ed interests are involved. Aou may be interested in a company that doesn,t do much campus recruiting, and some companies have simply cut bac on campus interviews $$ you have to reach out to them. Contacts can be very important in finding opportunities and getting interviews, so try to build contacts through faculty, co$op *obs and internships, alumni, and professional association student groups. ' *ob search is li e mar eting a new product, where you first determine who your customers (potential employers) are and what they need. Aou may have to shape the product (you) to meet customer re%uirements. .inally, you devise a mar eting message and focus on the most appropriate customers, or in this case, employers. Thin of the things that most interest you, target companies that do those things, be persistent, and follow through on leads. Presenting yourself effectively is a big part of getting hired. Try to anticipate what the employer,s needs are, and what information you should provide to address those needs. The following is a partial list of employers of mechanical engineers5

<M Company "do&e +ystems, 'nc0 "dvanced Micro Devices0 "lcan "l$min$m "LCO" "llegheny L$dl$m Corp0 "lliant Techsystems "moco "pplied Materials "rgonne )ational La&oratory !a&coc2 ( -ilco. !"+F Corporation !ayer Corp0 !echtel !F 9oodrich !lac2 ( Dec2er !oeing Company Chrysler Corporation Cincinnati Milacron, 'nc0 Conoco Corning 'ncorporated Deere ( Company, 'nc0 Dow Chemical D$racell Eastman Chemical Co0 Eastman :oda2 Eaton Corp E' D$Pont E..on Chemical Company FMC Corporation

Ford Motor Company 9eneral Electric 9eneral Motors 9eorgia Pacific %ewlett Pac2ard '!M 'ngersoll-*and 'ntel Corporation 'nternational Paper 'TT 4ohnson Controls, 'nc0 Los "lamos )ational La& LT/ +teel L$cent Technologies Michelin Microsoft Corporation Mo&il Corporation Motorola )issan Motor Corporation 3+" PP9 'nd$stries Procter ( 9am&le +$n Microsystems +$ndstrand "erospace Te.as 'nstr$ments, 'nc0 Tim2en Co0 3nited Technologies -0L0 9ore -estingho$se -heeling-Pitts&$rgh +teel =ero.

Development
' successful mechanical engineering career is the result of a building process that starts during the undergraduate years, if not earlier. 3nce on the *ob, the process continues through networ ing, on$the$*ob training, graduate studies, and continuing professional education. Practicing engineers tell us two things5 .irst, today,s engineer is e!pected to be more self$reliant and more self$managed in planning and doing wor . Second, and more important, employers will not plan your career $$ nor do you want that to happen. 3nce you find a company and *ob that you li e, you still need a strategy for moving ahead. Aour career building efforts will be more successful if you understand how your aptitudes mesh with your surroundings. 're you doing the wor you are best suited for, or are you headed that way $$ if not, what additional e!perience and training do you need to secure the right *obG Aou are in charge of managing your career, before and after your first promotion.

Managing 5o$r Career

.rom )ay 3ne, evaluate your options within the company, loo ing for interesting wor and good career$building assignments. .ind out where that wor is located, and what you must do to position yourself for opportunities. Aou must ta e steps to manage your own career. 2e constantly on the loo out for more e!perienced advisors and mentors. Tactfully ma e management aware of your capabilities and interests and illustrate how you thin you can benefit the company in a new assignment. This must be done as a result of a serious e!amination of yourself and the needs of the company $$ in that order $$ and by eeping your eye on the big picture of where the company is headed. 0hat if your current employer cannot move you into more desirable wor G 0ell$planned and timely *ob changes are part of the mechanical engineers, career strategy for broadening one,s e!perience and advancing in position, responsibility, and salary. Most mechanical engineers gain an understanding of their field and true interests in their very early career e!periences. There is a dramatic increase in *ob changes in years E to <, with related salary gains.

%ow Long Do Mechanical Engineers +tay in Their First 4o&>

'bout OE8 of the mechanical engineers surveyed were continuing to wor for their original employer five years after graduation. 'nother D<8 were with their second employer. 0e were not able to tell how many, if any, of the changes of employer were due to company mergers or sales.

Lifelong Learning
's a mechanical engineer, you will shape future technology by using the latest developments in current technology. Aou will be employing technologies and ideas used elsewhere as solutions in your own pro*ects. Aou will find yourself being challenged to eep abreast of changes in engineering and technology. The fundamentals will always be with you, but technological information and resources change continuously. 3nce you enter the engineering profession, new, self$directed learning becomes a daily ob*ective. Aou must loo for learning opportunities on the *ob through company resources, advisors and mentors and company training programs. Aou will also need to loo outside the company to resources provided by suppliers to your company, technical societies, professional development programs, publications and products and to graduate studies to meet your learning needs. Continuously ta e stoc of your learning needs as your career progresses. 's yourself +what must & now to do my *ob today, what will & need to learn to the r each that level, how much can & learn on the *ob, and where can & find the restG+

9rad$ate +t$dies
>raduate studies can be an important part of an engineer,s career building plan. &n the early stages of your career, a Master,s degree can ma e you more competitive for ey positions and better salaries. 0hen evaluating *ob offers, find out about employer support for graduate course wor and pro!imity to graduate schools. 0ithin the first year or two on the *ob, step bac and assess your interests and what type of graduate studies could help you to move to the ne!t level or into specific *obs. &f you are still in school, see the advice of professors concerning opportunities at the graduate level and programs that mesh with your interests and capabilities. 4emember that faculty recommendations can be a deciding factor in gaining admission to the right graduate program. >et ac%uainted with the research and teaching assistants in your department, for they can direct you to research *obs that provide the hands$on e!perience that graduate schools and employers li e to see. 'nd if you decide to wor for a few years, eep in touch with your advisors.

P0E0 License
There,s a difference between current *ob re%uirements and mid$ to long$range career re%uirements. Ta ing the longer view, you should be aware of licensing as a Professional #ngineer (P.#.). The P.#. license won,t be needed for your first *ob (you need engineering e!perience before you can sit for the P.#. e!am), and it may not be an issue in every engineering occupation. 2ut a few years down the line your employer may land a contract that re%uires P.#.,s in ey positions, or you may need a P.#. credential to wor for a government agency. Aou may need professional recognition in another country where you have been as ed to lead a pro*ect. Foo at the number of #ngineering

Service firms in the #mployer )ata 2ase $$ in a few years you might be applying for a consulting position in one of those firms, or starting your own consulting business. &n either case, the P.#. could be a *ob re%uirement. 2efore you can ta e the P.#. #!am, you will need to ta e the .# (.undamentals of #ngineering) #!am. Many students ta e this e!am while in their senior year. #mployers often support efforts toward the P.#. Aou will need four years of supervised professional e!perience to %ualify for the P.#. e!am. The licensure procedures vary somewhat from state to state.

"dapta&ility
'daptability is an important attribute for a mechanical engineer. ' mechanical engineering education will provide the essentials $ sub*ect nowledge, problem$solving s ills, and a capability for future learning. 0hen you first start out, it,s important to be curious and open$ minded about new learning e!periences, and to networ within the profession and in your industry. &t,s up to you to eep current so that you have the nowledge base needed to ta e advantage of changes in technology and the mar etplace. 'daptability is a function of time, nowledge, and contacts. .le!ibility is important too $$ engineers often have concurrent pro*ects, each calling for different types of nowledge, hands$on s ills, and teamwor .

'n Case of "dversity

School pro*ects are often based on a given set of assumptions, specifications, and defined variables. Career planning starts out the same way, but life seldom runs along a predictable path. &n reality, change actually becomes a constant, coming from many directions$ customers, economic and monetary policy, global mar ets and overseas competition, company priorities, and re%uired *ob s ills. 'll can affect what your *ob consists of, and where, when, and for how long you do that *ob. 0or ing mechanical engineers stress the importance of a positive, fle!ible, forward$loo ing attitude, of being prepared for the ne!t *ob, whatever and wherever that may be. They spea of how networ ing and professional contacts have enabled them to turn downsi(ing, layoffs, and gaps between pro*ects into positive *ob changes. 's difficult as these potential occurrences might seem, they are also significant opportunities to redirect and energi(e one,s career.

)etwor2ing
2eing active in a professional society is a ey part of networ ing. S ill in networ ing is an important attribute, a basic s ill of the successful engineer, a s ill that you should begin to develop during your undergraduate years. /etwor ing can help you to land your first *ob and it becomes more important in every subse%uent career move. Start today5 ma e a list of the people who can help you advance your career. They can be faculty, students, members of student organi(ations, and wor ing engineers. 3ver time, build your own networ for the e!change of information, advice, and *ob leads.

M$ltiple Trac2s
Mechanical #ngineers have an abundance of riches when it comes to choosing a career path. The field can ta e you nearly anywhere you want to go.

Technical or Management
&n many industries, mechanical engineers are presented with a choice between a management +trac + to pro*ect and potentially division or corporate management" or a technical +trac + to increasing sophisticated technical roles and e!pertise. 's valuable as these programs can be, in engineering practice the engineer in management still has to understand technology, and the technically focused engineer may well have management functions. &t,s important to determine whether a prospective employer has personnel development structures of this type, when and how decisions are made, and whether you will have opportunities for e!perience in the different trac s. Some companies offer rotational assignments to help young engineers find the area best suited to them.

!eyond M0E0
' mechanical engineer has career options that e!tend to other fields. ' mechanical engineering education develops critical thin ing, organi(ational and problem solving abilities that translate well to fields as diverse as business and management, law, information technologies, and medicine. The combination of an engineering education with one,s personal interests and talents can result in almost any career path. This does not mean that if you want to be a concert violinist, you should study engineering first, but mechanical engineering is replete with people who have used their education as a springboard to other disciplines and career paths. Training prepares you handle what is happening now" education prepares you to determine your future.

Career Path Forecast

'ccording to the H.S. )epartment of Fabor, 2ureau of Fabor Statistics, mechanical engineers are pro*ected to have O percent employment growth over the pro*ections decade of D==7$D=67, slower than the average for all occupations. This is because total employment in manufacturing industries $ $ in which employment of mechanical engineers is concentrated $$ is e!pected to decline. Some new *ob opportunities will be created due to emerging technologies in biotechnology, materials science, and nanotechnology. 'dditional opportunities outside of mechanical engineering will e!ist because the s ills ac%uired through earning a degree in mechanical engineering often can be applied in other engineering specialties.

Professional Organi ations

Professional organi(ations and associations provide a wide range of resources for planning and navigating a career in mechanical engineering. These groups can play a ey role in your development and eep you abreast of what is happening in your industry. 'ssociations promote the interests of their members and provide a networ of contacts that can help you find *obs and move your career forward. They can offer a variety of services including *ob referral services, continuing education courses, insurance, travel benefits, periodicals, and meeting and conference opportunities. The following is a partial list of professional associations serving mechanical engineers and employers. ' broader list of professional associations is also available at www.careercornerstone.org. "+ME (www.asme.org) .ounded in 6MM= as the 'merican Society of Mechanical #ngineers, today,s 'SM# is a 6D=,===$member professional organi(ation focused on technical, educational and research issues of the engineering and technology community. 'SM# conducts one of the world,s largest technical publishing operations, holds numerous technical conferences worldwide, and offers hundreds of professional development courses each year. 'SM# sets internationally recogni(ed industrial and manufacturing codes and standards that enhance public safety.