Off Topic"If you don't like your job, you don't strike. You just go in every day and do it really half-assed. That's the American way."
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Is there anyone on here in a mechanical engineering program. I am thinking about going on to get a mechanical engineering degree after i get my automotive technology degree, and was wondering if anyone that is already in a program can give me some info? How difficult is it, what can i expect?
Thanks Josh
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I'm a fourth year Mechanical Engineering major at UC, Riverside. First of all, I'm just going to tell you that you MUST love math and physics. That, in a nutshell, is what the major is all about. As you progress (as with any major), the material will become THAT MUCH HARDER. I never imagined myself spending in excess of 12+ hours per day at school just working on engineering things, but here I am doing so. I hope that doesn't scare you off, but it is DEFINITELY a rewarding experience once you figure out how the things you learn (Thermodynamics, Fluids, hell even Electrical Engineering) can be applied to the real world.
All in all, I can tell you that the best thing you can do if you would like to pursue this major is to BE ON TOP OF YOUR GAME. Do not slack off, and most imporantly, find a group of engineers willing to work with you. That in itself has helped me get through this major. I hope this helps. Good luck!
If you really want to do it, DO NOT GO TO GEORGIA TECH! IT SUCKS! I am a third year and cannot wait for my fourth year to be over. Its a cool degree if you really like physics and math, b/c that is all you are going to do for 3 years of classes. With the course loads you have to take, you need to be focused. Some weeks i spend about 12 hours a day doing hw and studying and that includes Sundays. Its a cool major, but you need to be dedicated.
__________________ Slam it, Swap it, or Force it! Nothing else!
Be prepared to work your ass off.
I'm done in another 6 weeks, thank god. If you want to know how the world works, its a good way to go, but you may not look at things the same anymore.
Wow its funny you asked this, I just got off the phone complaining about how I wished I took something other than engineering. I'm in my last term so I guess its a little late to complain. I can tell you that you need to have more than just a love for math and physics, you need to have an interest in how things work. lol, if you loved building things with legos when you were a kid you might like it.
The work load is pretty heavy, but if you find a couple people in your class that you get along with and have the same work ethic as you, you can split the assignments up and it makes it much easier. I definately don't do 12 hours of work a day and my marks are fine. Right now for example I have 4 assignments/projects to do this week and I am only doing one myself.
Just make sure you want it before you get into it, because when you graduate you eventually will be heading up projects at work, so having the drive is important.
What most people said here is true. Also, if you have the chance take as many as Interships and Co-ops as you can, they'll help you see how engineering works in the real world. Also some research projects might be a good idea, although it sounds like a lot more to work on, they'll pay off in the future. Oh and don't forget specialty courses are good idea too. Many companies look for candidates with special abilities and training in specific fields, than an all around candidate. There are many fields in ME to choose, check them out and look for something that you'll be greatly satified with for your minor.
__________________ WHAT WE DO IN LIFE ECHOES IN ETERNITY...
TARMAC SPECIALIST! - Blasting through the Mountains Rally Style!!!
i am in automotive tech. course also. my teacher was a mech. engineer and he said he hated it because it was such tedious and non hands-on work. he complained about alot but good luck with whatever you decide
I started my engineering degree last year. It's been a rough two academic years. If you really like working hands on this may not be the program that you want to be in. In my program there are a few design courses which i enjoy but all the work kills me. Like SLeePeRCIVICHopeful said, you have to LOVE the sciences. You start to really get into some next level sh*t.
It depends on where you work and which area you choose. Some friends I have work all the time in front of a computer doing FEA, 3D modelings and other kinds of analysis, Neural networks simulations. I friends working with the F-22, the JSF, the Space Station, GM, Ford,Pratt & Witney, Raytheon, Lockheed-Martin, Boeing, Abbott, Guidant, Merck, P&G, Pfizer,BD, etc. I worked as a Process Engineer in a Medical device plant, and I can tell you it was more hands on than those jobs of my friends. I worked hands on with molds, production runs and molding machines ranging from 85 to 400 Tons. So it really comes down to where you work, you can check all career oportunities to see which one offers the best that suits your liking.
__________________ WHAT WE DO IN LIFE ECHOES IN ETERNITY...
TARMAC SPECIALIST! - Blasting through the Mountains Rally Style!!!
I'm glad I got my Mechanical Degree but here in CT, jobs are hard to find right now. The degree wasn't terribly difficult for the first couple of years, but the last year was pretty tough. Because jobs suck here, I'm working in a freakin DUMP and they make some lame a$$ products. I'm emnbarassed to say but they make the balls that go ontop of flagpoles and the balls that are used as gas tank floats. Exciting huh?
Put it this way, people may look at your resume with the automotive degree. But think about how many people will do a double take at your resume when it says Automotives AND Mechanical Engineering. Good luck.
i attend an auto motive engineering school and it is the hardest, yet greatest thing i ever did. We have fun hands on facilities and a top ten racked ME program.
hey i might be doing a automotive technology program too here in cali with ford tho. its called the ford asset program. im thinking of switching from being a RN to this. i really dont like the medical field. and i like the mechanics of things and cars(of course) this thread was pretty useful for me.
could you guys give me some examples of wat kind of math classes and science classes you guys took or are taking right now for the mechanical engineering course?
A lot of the above posts I've seen bring back a lot of memories. I absolutely love physics and the more specific engineering courses, like fluid dynamic, heat transfer, aerodynamics, materials, etc. but I hated the pure math courses that you run into in 3rd and 4th year. Make sure you're ready to handle some hardcore math, and that you're either an absolute genius, or have amazing work ethic. You have to put in work.
If you go into it, I wish you all the best.
It's funny though, like Boilermaker1 said, you'll never see things the same way again. When I'm in the kitchen I keep thinking of heat transfer coefficients, convection, conduction. I probably over-analyze the simplest things, but that's just me.
