How to become a Mechanical Engineer
Deciding to become a mechanical engineer is a smart decision with many career paths. Engineering is not just for the highly analytic student. Outgoing engineers are needed for the sales team and business oriented candidates are needed for the management side. There are a couple of paths that can lead to a career as a mechanical engineer and they all require a commitment to the field.
Selecting a school and major
The best way to make your choice a success is to enter a four year degree program in engineering. The school you choose can make a difference, especially if you live in an area with a large alumni group. In Houston, many companies favor engineering graduates from Texas A&M while Columbus manufacturers prefer graduates from Ohio State. If you are having a hard time making a final decision, do some research on the success rates of securing full time positions immediately after graduation. Also, find out how many students are awarded internships during their education. These factors can help predict your own success in obtaining employment as a mechanical engineer.
Degreed mechanical engineers are often referred to as "BSME's" but not all mechanical engineers have a bachelor's in mechanical engineering. During an engineering degree program, all aspects of engineering are covered with the final focus on mechanical. It is possible to switch to mechanical engineering with other engineering degrees but it is not always as easy. There are even engineering degrees that carry an expertise in all aspects of engineering, although these degree programs are often longer than the traditional 4 year degrees.
Internships
The single most important factor in securing employment upon graduation is the experience you gain during your internships. You will most likely end up in a career based on the internship you are offered. Start applying for internships during your first year of college. It is less likely you will be accepted but it is worth the try. Your goal is to make sure you are happy and interested in spending a career working around the products you work with during your internship. If you really dislike the product type you can leave it off your resume.
Alternate pathways
Some mechanical engineers find themselves in this role without the traditional path to engineering. Some engineers find themselves with this new title through hands-on learning or after a trained designer is identified as the right person to move into engineering within an organization.
