Any mechanical engineers on here? Or engineers in general..

[Roseand]

Well I've decided that engineering is what I want to pursue. Got accepted to MSOE(Milwaukee school of engineering) and that's where I plan on going! Few months and then I'll be in college..Crazy stuff.

I've grown up working with small engines & mechanical stuff my whole life because our family business sells/fixes landscape equipment, so I've had my share of rebuild engines & all kinds of repair work. I've always loved working on engines & machines..Plus I've always had a niche for motorsports. Skis especially, because of the amount of opportunities for innovation & modifications. That's all of what got me into engineering. I love the idea of designing & improving things. Plus I like physics & math, even though sometimes they piss me off so much..And I'm the kind of guy that does tons of research on how things work & research on what I'm interested in. I like to research.

Would love to get a job in a company that works with motosports(skis would be great..) and/or engines, but that's the least of my worries right now!
Getting through college and just getting a job are first. I know the schooling sure as heck won't be easy.

So anyways, are there any engineers here?
What got you into it? What do you do? Do you like your job? How was the schooling? Any advice for school & the field in general, or for me?

I would love to hear from all engineers! Reassure me that I'm making the right choice

 

[Philip Clemmons]

I'm sure Parrdaddy will chime in eventually, but he works for NASA and loves his job. I have an associates degree in engineering, and teach mechanics for a living. I can tell you that the math and physics is very beneficial, especially in the performance side. It's mostly all relevant, and will leave you with a better understanding than most. Great career choice!

 

[Scraggly]

If you enjoy those things you will love engineering. I love my job and couldn't imagine doing much else now.

 

[SuperJETT]

@parrdaddy, @freestylegeek, and others are MEs.

 

[jahimmelspach]

I'm finishing up my BSME at U of M Dearborn. I'll be finished spring 2015 and i cant wait to be done. I love my job and where the company is headed. Tips for school. The first two years of math is the big test. A lot of people will either drop out, change their major, or fail during that period. once you get past that stage the discipline will be there to help you through the remaining years and the fact of being half done will be motivating. Focus as much as you can on school during the first couple years and dont work part time if you dont have to. Internships are the bomb after a few years in school. and no matter what when you get your first job/internship make sure to tell them everything that you want to do or interests you that the company offers. Remember "The squeaky wheel always gets the oil"
let me know if you have any questions. it is a lot of work but has been totally worth it for me.
Joe

 

[DAG]

You may be completely aware but from the OP it sounds like you want to work with your hands.

Without making a blanket statement "Most" degree'd "engineers" land jobs that are behind a desk. Some get lucky and get a 80/20 split and some dont even have a 'desk'. If you like working with your hands out in the field you have better odds landing a job you like as a tech or a mechanic. It's often tech/mechanics then become degree'd engineers and remain in the field.

My advice would be know what you want to do as a career, and find out that positions "requirements". Let schooling be the toolbox to fulfill those requirements.

 

[jahimmelspach]

^ I agree with what Dag said. Most of the people I know that had internships and other people in the industry end up behind the desk. But, If you have an idea of what you want to do, and are a go getter you can find a company that interests you and work you ass off to get your foot in the door. Obviously being near detroit the big 3 are where the big out of college money is. But if you can, from hearing intern experiences and my experience, you'll likely get much more exposer to different areas of the company and much more hands on work when going to a smaller company.
my .02
ps. i'm not a book worm engineer that has straight A's. I need hands on work and real world situations for me to stay focused and enjoy what i'm doing. I'm fortunate to be able to have the hands on engineering. I wasnt at my first day of school this past fall semester because i was installing twin 6.2 V8s in our test boat lol

 

[Roseand]

I was pretty much explaining why engineering interests me, because since I've been working around that stuff my whole life ,I'm interested in designing & improving aspects of engines, etc. Designing & improving doesn't always mean hands on, but at times it can require hands on. It really depends on what company you end up working with, and what they do..

 

[BrightE's]

I grew up with playing and building Lego's as my first priority, that turned into me studying Plastics Engineering (very similar to ME) at Penn State and I'm now working as a Design Engineer for a toy company and could not be happier. If I could do it all over again, I would. Engineering School can get you to where you want to go, just make sure by the time you're graduating you've spend enough time researching fields in engineering or spending time in them as an intern, that you really know what you want to do.

 

[Scraggly]

Erector set ftw!

 

[sneds]

I'm a Robotics/Controls Engineer and love my job but if I could do it again I would choose Mechanical Engineering. Great career choice. Good luck!

 

[RMBC Freeride]

ME ME ME too. Got the degree, but don't use it anymore. Just the way life took me... good luck.

 

[OCD Solutions]

I'm a Robotics/Controls Engineer and love my job but if I could do it again I would choose Mechanical Engineering. Great career choice. Good luck!

Want a job in the US? We are looking for another tech for either Savannah or Charleston.

 

[Philip Clemmons]

I got involved with semi pro drag racing and pursuing a world championship and decided I too wanted to be hands on and not behind a desk. That's why I stopped at two years. I was working in the mechanical field and doing performance work/tuning/racing as a second job. For now its skis, but great choices and tons of fun. I'm not rich, but typically very happy

 

[Roseand]

I was pretty much explaining why engineering interests me, because since I've been working around that stuff my whole life ,I'm interested in designing & improving aspects of engines, etc. Designing & improving doesn't always mean hands on, but at times it can require hands on. It really depends on what company you end up working with, and what they do..

Here's a perfect example of this:
True performance engineering.
Takes engineering to come up with an incredible engine like that, but it also requires hands on testing. With skis
That would be the dream job.

Am I right in saying that engineering would be useful in a company like that? Or even PHP?

 

[sneds]

Want a job in the US? We are looking for another tech for either Savannah or Charleston.

Thanks, but I have a young family and it's important we're close to our parents and family. We want them to be a big part of our children's lives. Thanks again!

 

[High Speed Industries]

I originally started going to school for mechanical engineering but I changed my major to mining engineering. I hope it was a good decision. I just want a job that's close to a lake or the surf. I only have a few years left till I can afford big engines and carbon hulls!

 

[tokarzl]

@Roseand your on on the right track! There is alot of great advice from the guys above. I was in your shoes at one time, and it's a tough age/ time to go through in life. So many options, big decisions, many life shaping or changing; I would encourage you to use your dream and aspirations as a guide. The only one who can make the decisions is you!
I have a bachelors degree in civil engineering and work for a nation wide heavy highway contractor, I do not design never really had much interest in it. I grew up around residential construction as you did around mechanics. When you spend your life around something it is in your blood , no matter what you do that basic knowledge and understanding is there. College is a very important piece of the puzzle,what ever you decide please stay in school!! Take your time focus and give it your all, it is one of the only things that no one can take away from you.
As others mention the first two years are critical you will be tested and feel the "pressure". Internships are key, it lets you be seen, it's a great experience/resume builder, I think most importantly it allows you to see the industry and get an idea about the people/company you could potentially be employed by.
I am a mentor in my companies internship program, I go to every career fair we attend speak with students, professors, and other companies. The one thing I hate the most is a College student who cannot look someone in the eye give and honest handshake and just talk to me as a person. Remember people in the industry have been in your shoes we know what it's like. Know your strengths and weaknesses, don't be afraid to say "I don't know the answer to that"
Well after that somewhat of a rant.... My biggest advise, be yourself learn all you can trust your instincts work your f'ing a$$ off and just be a real person

 

[Philip Clemmons]

Here's a perfect example of this:
True performance engineering.
Takes engineering to come up with an incredible engine like that, but it also requires hands on testing. With skis
That would be the dream job.

Am I right in saying that engineering would be useful in a company like that? Or even PHP?

Haha. Most of the testing and tuning for TPE is done by me. Lots of fun, but more of a hobby.......

Eric has an extensive technical background as well, but is not a PE (not am I), but we think a lot alike and work well together.

And Zack, the owner of PHP, is a ME if I recall. Very applicable and useful for what we do.

 

[Roseand]

Haha. Most of the testing and tuning for TPE is done by me. Lots of fun, but more of a hobby.......

Eric has an extensive technical background as well, but is not a PE (not am I), but we think a lot alike and work well together.

And Zack, the owner of PHP, is a ME if I recall. Very applicable and useful for what we do.

See? Engineering knowledge is very useful for building ski engines, right?
You don't have to have an engineering degree to engineer something though. Innovating a product is engineering!
Whoa, that's sweet! I'll have to talk to him about that. He's not too far from me either. Love to hear about using engineering with skis.

Well I don't want to get too ahead of myself. It sure as heck would be cool to work with companies like TPE & PHP & other ski companies designing engines & other products though.. Don't know how unrealistic that is, but it sure is something to strive for.