You have landed the coveted seat as a Mechanical Engineering student. Congratulations! What is your next goal? What career options after Mechanical Engineering are you considering? You will be happy to know that mechanical engineers have a much wider career field to choose from than many other engineering disciplines.
Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Field:
The best part of engineering, any discipline of engineering, is to be able to engineer things. As a mechanical engineer, you would become familiar with fundamental aspects of many other disciplines. Mechanical Engineering is a seminal discipline of engineering from which many other branches (automobile engineering, aerospace engineering, etc.) have developed.
Mechanical Engineering formally emerged as a discipline in the 18th century during the Industrial Revolution. However, for all intents and purposes, Leonardo DaVinci would have been a mechanical engineer if he was living today. In fact, the origin of Mechanical Engineering can be traced to the invention of simple machines such as wheels, levers, wedges, or ramps.
But where are the Mechanical Engineers today? What is in store for them in the future?
Simple. Everything as far as the eye can see. Career options for Mechanical Engineers range from joint design in a robot prototype to fluid dynamics measurement in the human body. Mechanical Engineers play a critical part in the development of any machine that we see around us.
SRM University-AP’s multidisciplinary courses widen the scope of Mechanical Engineering careers. The option to pick minors from a variety of fields gives mechanical engineers the scope to enhance and diversify their domain knowledge.
Responsibilities of Mechanical Engineers in their Jobs:
Mechanical Engineers are typically involved in the creation of the mechanical aspects of the design. They can work on theoretical aspects such as research or conceptualisation or more functional aspects such as design and design development.
In any workspace, the role of the mechanical engineers revolves around the following:
- Identification of the problem and researching on how it can be resolved mechanically.
- Designing a solution theoretically as well as virtually.
- Creating a prototype and testing the prototype stability over various parameters.
- Overseeing the manufacturing process and providing guidelines on maintenance.
Popular Industries and Sectors for Career Options in Mechanical Engineering:
- Manufacturing
Mechanical Engineers can always find good career opportunities in the manufacturing sector. The intuitive manner in which they approach a complication often comes in handy not only in engineering roles but also in management roles. Mechanical engineers are good at mapping out the structure and identifying the root of issues, making them valuable assets for any manufacturing company.
- Armed Forces and Defence
The Defence sector needs to strive for higher efficiency. There are few sectors as lucrative and competitive as the armed force ones. Mechanical Engineers play a vital role in this area, from competitor assessment to model development. Constant up-gradation and quick solutions are defining features of any person looking for a job in this sector.
- Aerospace Industries
Working for the aerospace industry is the dream of many engineers. The opportunities for mechanical engineers in this sector are plenty. As our aerospace technologies develop to accommodate our exploration aspirations, the need for mechanical engineers rises to design the best models possible.
- Automobile Industries
Faster than light. Though the automobile industry is yet to achieve this dream, it has remained their vision. Mechanical engineers are the most in-demand people in this sector to turn this dream into reality and make it safer while doing so. So, if you love cars and making them talk to the wind, you might want to look into this sector for job opportunities.
- Construction
The construction sector heavily relies on inputs from Civil engineers. However, mechanical engineers would find that they play a vital role in this industry as well. As the terrains for construction differ, the demand for the insight and consultation of mechanical engineers to create fail-safe designs heightens.
- Energy Services
Energy generation and storage are heavily reliant on mechanical engineers to design and implement technology with green sources and less loss. The research and development scopes and the design prospects in this sector are fertile and constantly in demand of greater and greater efficiency.
- Biomedical
Most of the human body systems need to be read by tools designed by Mechanical engineers. Not just that, these engineers are the ones who devise the methods to make these tools minimally invasive as well. The biomedical sector recognises the need for mechanical engineers to improvise their systems and economise their tools.
- Robotics and Automation
Perhaps the most awesome-to-the-ears field, the field of robotics and automation, needs mechanical engineers to design the most flexible and durable apparatus. Mechanical engineers face extraordinary problems and requirements in this field and strive to provide equally jaw-dropping solutions to it.
Job Positions after Mechanical Engineering
- Mining Engineer
- Water Engineer
- Aerospace Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Automotive Engineer
- Maintenance Engineer
- CAD Technician
- Nuclear Engineer
- Control and Instrumentation Engineer
Tips for Mechanical Engineers to Improve Career Prospects
- Technological Proficiency
Stay up to date with the latest software platforms. It is crucial in this day and age to learn how to navigate the digital space even when most of your work might be on-site. Moreover, this would also show that you are a person who is always prepared to adapt to the new and more convenient technology.
- Experience
Having hands-on experience is crucial in any industry to facilitate hiring decisions. However, it is even more critical if you are a mechanical engineer. Do not wait till your graduation. It is advisable for most engineers to look for experience through internships. A good internship can make your CV stand out among your peers.
- Higher Education
Do not stop at a graduate degree if you wish to climb up career ladders. It would help if you levelled up. Get higher education. Show that you are willing to make an effort on yourself to do your job better.
- Additional Certifications
Having additional certifications that add value to you professionally can make you a real catch real fast. It can be surprisingly beneficial if you have a multidisciplinary education. You will be able to provide value to organisations requiring a mechanical engineer but do not belong to the traditional sectors.
- Interpersonal Skills
It is crucial to curate the soft skills and interpersonal skills needed to market yourself to the hiring manager properly. Your rigorously developed domain knowledge will be for nought if you fail to present them to the concerned people in the proper manner. Moreover, strong interpersonal skills will help you network well and connect with the right people, affecting your growth prospects exponentially.
- Management Degree
If you wish to climb the corporate ladder, then it would be advisable to obtain a management degree to go with your graduate degree. A management degree can be your gateway to coveted executive positions. Perks aside, your inputs could be the deciding factors for your organisation’s growth and stability.
SRM University-AP trains the students and prepares them, at the outset, for their dream jobs and their career expectations. The practical learning approach to education prepares the students to face several challenges in their professional domain before even entering the workforce. Each student’s needs and career goals are kept in consideration while advising them about the minors that would be helpful to them, training them with necessary skills, and even providing them with essential exposure.
Studying with SRM University-AP will help you broaden your career options after Mechanical Engineering. Find out more about the Undergraduate Programme in Mechanical Engineering offered by SRM University-AP here.