What Can You Do with a Mechanical Engineering Degree?

Jul 14, 2023

Engineering is a broad industry, so if you’re considering a career as an engineer, you have several specializations to choose from. But what can you do with a mechanical engineering degree? Even within their niche, mechanical engineering programs are designed to prepare you for an interdisciplinary career that you can apply to a wide range of areas, including aviation, environmentalism, aerospace, and defense.

When you think of mechanical engineering, you might think of an automotive engineer. And while this is one area of opportunity, mechanical engineering is integrated into a plethora of industries that affect daily life.

The main distinction between mechanical engineering and other specializations is that it generally focuses on physics and movement. It’s also a core part of many different types of engineering, making it a great option if you’re unsure which direction to take your degree in.

No matter what field you enter, most mechanical engineers end up in creative, problem-solving positions. In short, mechanical engineering programs prepare you to develop solutions to problems by building mechanical devices, gadgets, and systems.

As a mechanical engineer, you’ll need foundational math, physics, and chemistry knowledge. Students in mechanical engineering programs typically also take classes in thermodynamics, environmental science, mechatronics, and fluid and solid mechanics.

Mechanical engineers also need soft skills such as communication and collaboration.

Mechanical engineering is a versatile degree that prepares you for an expansive range of careers. Some examples of jobs you could get with a mechanical engineering degree include:

Engineers in these fields typically work on designing, developing, and testing vehicles in their particular fields. This often entails improving vehicle systems and enhancing their productivity.

Biomedical engineers work in the medical field, applying engineering principles to solve problems unique to the healthcare industry. Often, they create devices and systems to improve patient care and quality of life, such as artificial limbs and organs or pacemakers.

Manufacturing engineers design and implement efficient systems to manufacture specific products. They’re familiar with every step of the product manufacturing process and may offer consulting services to help businesses choose the best manufacturing equipment for a particular product.

Some mechanical engineering majors may choose to go on to law school to become a patent lawyer. With specialized knowledge of the inner workings of machinery, they protect inventors’ rights.

As technology integrates into every aspect of life, there’s an increasing need for mechanical engineers focused on creating robots and other artificial intelligence that perform or support human tasks.

Other careers that mechanical engineering programs may prepare you for include:

Mechanical engineering is a viable career path for analytical thinkers who enjoy figuring out how things work. These questions can help you determine whether a mechanical engineering degree is right for you:

There are many ways you can prepare for a mechanical engineering major to set yourself up for success. Some high schools may have elective automotive classes to give you a head start. If not, there are a few other ways you can equip yourself for your college career while you’re still in high school:

To learn more about the mechanical engineering program at Azusa Pacific University, contact the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Posted: August 14, 2023