Mechanical engineering
Posted by TheYoung-Capitalist 11 years, 8 months ago to Classifieds: Other
I am going to college for mechanical engineering and through out my vast resources I have yet to found someone that can actually tell me what it is like. Because college is a place to get a fancy paper that say you can do things that they have not taught you about. I want to know what it is really like and not some hyped up crap from college.
Is anyone here an engineer in anything? If so please tell me what it really is like and if your really inclined to tell me about your experiences please email me at zander1877@hotmail.com. (for anyone looking to spam me this is one of my bogus accounts so good luck on that)
Is anyone here an engineer in anything? If so please tell me what it really is like and if your really inclined to tell me about your experiences please email me at zander1877@hotmail.com. (for anyone looking to spam me this is one of my bogus accounts so good luck on that)
My husband decided to say it here in your post. Here goes.
going through engineering school is mainly math and science classes, where the science classes get very specific to the area of technology. When he went to school, it was mainly gaining more sophisticated tools for analyzing engineering problems in technology. the big complaint then-was there wasn't alot of design (analyzing vs. designing/building systems). Computers have changed this somewhat. In engineering, there is not time not room for politics to seep into the classes. Good professors, of which he had many, usually feel there isn't enough time for everything they want to teach you in the first place. In his opinion, engineering is the single most challenging under-graduate degree as evidenced by the fact you have to take 15-20 hours more to complete the degree. If you enjoy understanding how the physical world works, you will probably enjoy engineering and like the puzzle of logical systems. FYI, some of the best engineering students he knew did their first two years at community colleges. upside: less likely to get a TA(grad student teaching) and the downside you're not given as much independence(more assignments). If you are a social being, you will have to find that outside of your studies. And you will have to be highly disciplined to do well. As well, you do not learn to perfect your skills in writing/speaking. He took most of his electives in Philosophy, for that reason. In engineering, eventually, if working for large corp., you will be pigeon-holed. So think about what industries you would like to work in as you're starting out.
What does pigeon-holed mean?
I read somewhere that mechanical engineers are "general practitioners" and can do almost any engineering job is that really true or is each engineering profession drastically different from one another?
Do you have to remember all the equations you learn or just the ones that pertain to your job?
In general do you work in a group?
In your job Is their a lot of presentations in front of your co-workers or just daily reports?
When your working do you work with people that are not engineers?
Is their any room for joking but still working or is it just serious concentration?
based on your experiences are their different types of math(ex metric vs imperial) that goes with different types of the profession or is it all roughly the same kind?
that enough for now but I got plenty more.lol.
2nd question. you read an overstatement.
3rd question.short answer. only the ones that pertain to your job. long answer. if you are memorizing equations, you'll never make it as an engineer. engineers understand. one doesn't memorize equations, one can derive them from first principles.
4th question. yes.
5th question.depends on your position
6th question. depends on your position.
7th question. it varies, but there is almost always room for joking. ex. read uncommon's posts in here. :)
8th question.metric is a unit of measure. I do not know what "imperial" is. The type of math you will need, will depend on your field of study, however, certain areas of math are required in all areas of engineering. For instance-calculus
A lot of it is also being able to visualize a concept in your mind. Not memorization. You can call up an equation, or method for solving a problem as it pertains to what you are doing.
Kh has offered a lot of very sound advice. As per usual, she has a wealth of knowledge!
when I look at this it makes me get a head ach because I do not know where to start. Can one go from one part of engineering to another or do you have to have training to do so?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanical_...
1) you must be able to draw a sketch of a problem, 2) you must define the problem (Most people never define the problem well enough.),
3) list all knowns and unknowns,
4) write the conservation laws for your problem such that you have as many equations as unknowns, 5) solve the problem, and 6) most importantly, check your work.
Given all that, realize that Excel and time/project/people management will be your most important skills. Your technical writng and speaking skills are also critical.
Consider transferring to Florida Tech, where I can teach you myself.
Best wishes,
Prof. Jim Brenner
jbrenner@fit.edu
Learn the fundamentals and first principles really well.
Learn how to learn. The half life of an engineering degree is on the order of two years.
But first of all, realize that it's a lot of hard work, certainly the hardest you've encountered yet in your life, and for me was one of the most rewarding. But it's more than a full-time endeavor.
Take as many courses as you can fit in on communication skills - writing and presentation. A basic management and business economics class won't hurt.
All engineering disciplines have professional associations with members from every imaginable industry and specialty, usually with contacts or maybe even meetings on your campus - depends on the school. Your professors will know and can fill you in or at least aim you. Get involved with them.
Look for opportunities on campus with the various labs, research groups, grant studies, etc. Even Phd's need grunts. You'll see a lot of what you're learning being applied and might even be able to help a little.
Remember, you've chosen a very honorable and respected profession to enter. It will provide you with as many challenges as you can handle in your life to come. Enjoy it.