Mechanical Engineering

Cars, airplanes, robots, computers, battleships. What do all of these have in common? They were all likely designed, constructed, or improved by mechanical engineers. Pretty much any "machine" or anything close to that, was made by the hands of a mechanical engineer. Mechanical engineering utilizes mathematics, physics, and much more, to create and reshape the world around us.

Core Areas

• Mechanics
• Calculus
• Thermodynamics
• Materials Science
• Structural Analysis
• Physics
• Electricity

While other fields of engineering are extremely specific to a certain thing. Mechanical engineering overlaps any different fields, and is much more broad. Because of this, ME's are required to know a variety of sciences, theorems, and ideas, that are also covered by multiple other engineering fields. ME's are most closely related to Automotive Engineers, and Aerospace engineers, due to the requirement of knowing materials, kinetics, and multiple sciences that end in "dynamics".

ME's are some of the highest paid engineers, with a starting salary that averages over $52,000, and an overall overage salary of $67,935*. While the pay is attractive, it doesn't come easy. Challenges, problems, and proposals that ME's deal with are some of the most advanced, and most crucial problems in everyday life. A typical day as an ME is often fast-paced, and full of high-pressure, time sensitive situations.

Skills That ME's Must Have

• Ability to work with hands
• Ability to work against the clock, under pressure
• Fast problem solving
• Strong knowledge of many sciences, etc.

While the field is not for everyone, it is a highly respected, and well payed field, and is responsible for some of the biggest breakthroughs and improvements in recent history.

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Mechanical_Engineer/Salary

Writer: Pat Wilkinson