Mechanical Engineering

 

 WHA  WHAT T IS A  MECHANICAL ENGINEER?

MP0398

 

 What is a Mechanical Engineer? Mechanical engineering plays a dominant role in enhancing safety,, economic vitality safety vitality,, enjoyment and overall overall quality of life throughout the world world.. Mechanical engineers are concerned concerned with the princ principles iples of force force,, energy and motion motion. The men and women who work as mechanical engineers are professionals with expert knowledge of the design and manufacture of  mechanical systems and thermal devices and processes. Some examples of products and processes developed by mechanical engineers include engines and control systems for automobiles and aircraft, aircr aft, electric power generation generati plants, lifesaving medical devices and consumer productsonranging from air conditioners to personal computers and athletic equipment.. They also design equipment design the machine machiness that mass-produce mass-produce these products. products. Virtually every every aspect of life is is touched by mechanical engineering engineering.. If something moves moves or uses energy, a mechanical engineer was probably involved in its design or production.

 An Evolving Profession The explosive development and expansion in computer technology has literally changed the face of mechanical engineering neering. . sign The (CAD), drawing drawing board has given has giv encomputational way to computercomputeraided-design aided-de (CAD) , and sophistic sophisticated ated software tools have enabled mechanical engineers to develop efficient solutions solutions to complex complex technical technical problems problems.. For example,, the emerging ple emerging high-tech field of nanotechnology is attracting mechanical engineers to design ultra-miniature machines and tiny implantable medical devices devices that navigate the human body searching for disease and damaged tissue. Also,, the growing Also growing concern for the planet and the quality quality of  life for future generations have spurred continuing continuing efforts ef forts by mechanical engineers to design resource-efficient and recyclable products and develop equipment and processes to clean-up existing environmental problems and prevent their reoccurrence. These technologies and a host of others will have an impact on lives in the 21st century centur y, and their development and refinement require the skills, skills, intuitio intuitionn and creative ability ability of  mechanic mecha nical al engineers engineers.. At the same time, time, mecha mechanic nical al engineers are expected to t o understand and convey the real-world consequencess of technology development alternatives to deciconsequence sion-makers and the public.

 Toward a Career  Toward in Mechanical Engineering  Mechanical engineering is a profession requiring specific skills.. These skills skills skills are acquir acquired ed through education education,, traini training ng and experienc experiencee. Throughout high school school,, students must enroll in certain courses as preparation for acceptance into engineering program programss at a college or univers university ity.. A solid foundafoundation in mathematics, mathematics, science and the language arts is critical. Strong mathematics preparation includes algebra, algebra, geometry geometry,, trigonometry and calculus calculus.. Chemi Chemistry stry,, biology and physi physics cs form the basic basic science science foundation foundation. Abili Ability ty in oral and written written communications is important to success in mechanical engineering studies, studies, and courses in mechanical or computer-aided computer-aided drafting/drawing drafting/draw ing and other technology-related subjects can help students begin to understand the important practicalities practicalities of technological projects. Students can enhance their studies and enrich the overall learning experience by entering science and technology fairs and design competitions, competitions, and by joining clubs or career groups devoted devoted to engineering engineering and and science science. Some clubs clubs sponsor day trips and similar excursions excursions to companies, companies, laboratoriess and industrial facilities ratorie facilities,, where students can meet engineers in actual work environments.

 Alex Burkat Principal Mechanical Engineer Disney Imagineering, Glenda Gle ndale le,, CA "I'm a mechanical engineer  working for Walt Disney. My job is to design rides for  Disney Dis ney theme parks parks.. One of the first rides I worked on was Splash Mountain at Disneyland Disneyland. . The ride was w just finis finished hed at the time I was hired, hired , and I was drafted toasdebug it and  improve certain components and add certain features to it. Sometimes I take my kids kids to Disneyland Disneyland.. They know that I  worked on some attractions and I did this or that ...it's very  satisfying to see your things actually built and working." 

 

College for the Mechanical Engineering Student  While mechanical engineering programs may vary in specific content and detail, they are linked by by a common educational philosophy. philosophy. The programs provide a broad-based education with a concentration on fundamentals and basic laws as the major tools required for the professional practice of  mechanical engineering engineering.. Graduate Graduatess are expected to have the ability to work professionally, professionally, as individuals and in teams, in both the thermal and mechanical systems systems areas, areas, including includ ing the design, design, manufacture and control of such systems.. Mor tems Moreove eoverr, they are expecte expected d to under understan stand d the ethical,, legal cal legal,, and societal implication implicationss of their work. work. Mathematics is a fundamental language of the engineering program.. Students also gain program gain extensive extensive integrated integrated laboratolaboratory,, computer and design ry design experienc experiences es.. The design design experiexperience emphasizes emphasizes synthesis, synthesis, computer applications applications and problem solving solving.. Com Communi municati cations ons,, teamw teamwork ork and practical practical hands-on experience with various product design processes are also also important elements elements of the program program.. Inter Internsh nships ips,, coop semesters and participation in ASME Student Section activities are strongly encouraged as means to gain exposure to engineering practice. Those seeking to pursue a mechanical engineering engineering degree in the United States should look for a college curriculum accredited accredi ted by ABET (Accred (Accreditation itation Board for Engineering Engineering and Technology) Technology).. There are approximately approximately 265 265 college and university mechanical engineering degree programs accredited by ABET ABET.. In other countrie countries, s, look toward toward polytechnic polytechnic and university programs that are recognized by governmental education authorities and by the professional organization of mechanical engineers in that country.

Lori Laird Biomedical Engineer Guidant Corporation, Santa Sant a Clara Clara,, CA "We develop tools that assist  surgeons sur geons.. Doctor Doctorss will will com come  e  in and they'll tell you, you, ‘w ‘we're  e're  having difficulty with this type  of surgery and we'd like to  develop a better way to do it.’  So immediately we say, say, ‘okay okay,, how can we develop a product to do this?’" 

 Where Mechanical Engineers Work  Employment prospects for mechanical engineers are strong, particularly where where local economie economiess are growi growing ng.. In the Unites States, States, for example, example, the profession is growing by 16 percent, or 35 35,000 jobs annually, annually, which is a rate of growth expected to continue to the year 2006. Industrial sectors in which mechanical engineers have traditionally made substantial contributions include aerospace, automotive,, chemical, computer and electronics automotive electronics,, construction tion, , consume consumer products , engineeri engineering consulting consulting and government. govern ment. rInproducts, additionn,,energy additio the medical medical andng pharmaceutical pharmace utical industries present exciting opportunities for mechanical engineerss to join forces engineer forces with the life life sciences sciences.. Even the entertainment industry relies heavily on mechanic mechanical al engineers for special effects effe cts and amusement park equipment e quipment. The vast majority of this work is done in thousands of companies ranging ranging from large multi-nationals to small, small, local firms.. Job functions and firms and responsibili responsibilities ties range from product and production design engineering and systems design to power plant operations operations,, quality control and project project management agem ent.. Wi With th experience experience and and further education education,, some mechanical engineers move into legal or management positions that build upon their scientific and technical skills and expertise expertise.. Other Otherss choose the path of scholarl scholarlyy researchh and teaching. researc teaching. The work of the mechanical mechanical engineer is diverse and worldwide worldwide,, and the careers of mechanical engineers are marked by an important common factor -- continuous learning.

Caecilia Gotama  Associ ate Partner  Associate Partn er and Project Manager Syska & Hennessy, Los Angele Angeless, CA “There are engineers who  become lawyers lawyers,, there are  are  engineers who become doctors,, and there are doctors are lots of engineers, engineers, like myself, myself, who are still involved in engineering but acting as consultants.. So there are a lot of opportunities consultants opportunities out of engineering school." 

 

Lifelong Learning and Becoming Part of the Profession One engineer's new product is another engineer's new tool. Mechanical engineers are in the business business of advancadvancing the technological state of the art and are doing so at a rapid pace and on a global scale. The analytical and critical thinking and problem-solving skills that result from an engineering education will serve throughout one’ one’s life. life. Howev However er,, to remain competent competent and competitive throughout througho ut one’ one’s career, career, the mechanical engineer must continuousl continuouslyy learn about, about, and use, use, new developdevelopmentss in the field ment field. Eve Every ry project project,, pro promoti motion on and job job change produces produces new learning learning demands. demands. To stay abreast of new developments developments in the field, mechanic mechanical al engineers enroll in graduate courses and read technical books, codes, code s, paper papers, s, maga magazin zines es and jour journals nals.. They attend attend short short courses,, take on-line courses on-line courses courses,, and participate in in workshops and conferences. ASME and other professional societies societies play an important role in providing providing these t ypes of learning opportunities for engineers. engineer s. Engineer Engineerss who are active active in professional professional socisocieties gain a competitive competitive edge, enhance their knowledge knowledge

Melinda Cecacci  Aerospace Technologist echnologist/ / Propulsion Systems Engineer NASA NA SA John Johnson son Space Center Center,, Houston Hou ston,, TX  "I am doing a job that is an opportunity of a lifetime. lifetime. The work that has given me  the most pride was the program involving the first joint  docking dock ing of the the Mir and and the Space Space shuttle shuttle.. At NASA, NASA, I  work with a team of flight controllers, controllers, and they come from a wealth of different backgrounds backgrounds.. We have math majors,, we have engineers majors engineers from electrical to civil to  mechanical to chemical chemical.. We have physi physics cs majors, majors, scien-  tists tis ts.. All differe different nt kinds kinds of of people people come come here here.. So we  we  draw dra w on a wealth of knowled knowledge ge,, whi which ch is great great.. It adds adds to the effectiveness of how we do our jobs." 

and technic technical expertise expertise, and acquire acquire leadership leadershi p skills. skills To get an earlyalstart in the, profession, profession , once you enroll enrol l at. the college or university universit y of your choice, join the 24,000 mechanical engineering student-members of ASME and become active in the ASME Student Section on campus.

Norris Allman Senior Supervising Test Engineer PSE&G of New   Jersey  "...people are judged  by what they know  more than their friend-  ships or what school  they went to. to. It’ It’ss a tech-  nical business. business... .. if you’re you’re technically competent, you’ll do  very well." 

The annual FIRST (Fo (Forr Inspiration Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Competition teams high school students with engineers from companies to build robots which compete against one another in sports-like events.

 

Brochu Brochures res,, Booklets, and Other Resour Resources ces Beth Lemen Site Operations Manager Manag er,, P & G Pharmaceuticals Procter & Gamble, Cincin Ci ncinnati nati,, OH "I think mechanical engi-  neering is a great career. You've learned to analyze  data and analyze and  solve problems problems You work in in group settings, settings, so you've  learned team dynamics and how to work with people." 

Mechanical Engineering A-Z  Forr elementary school ages, a cheerful brochure that shows Fo shows everyday items that are produced by mechanical engineers. ASME Order No: MP049 MP0491 1 (Free) Mechanical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Technolo echnology: gy: Which Path Will You You Take?  Take?  Forr high school and college ages, this brochure describes Fo describes and contrasts two related career paths available to those interested in mechanical engineering engineering.. ASME Order No: MP4998 (Free)

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CD-ROM (New!) Careers for Mechanical Engineers Part of the Sloan Foundation Career Cornerstone CD-ROM Series,, the disk is a storehouse of interviews and informaSeries information on virtually every facet of mechanical engineering careers, career s, from the early preparation preparation,, to the initial initial job search,, to the challenges and choices search choices that shape a rewarding career. career. ASME Order No. No. VH47CD $39 $39.95

ASME International 22 Law Drive, Box 2900 Fairfield, NJ 07007-2900

Call Toll Free 800-843-2763 (800-THE-ASME) 973-882-1167

 Videos CareerPath: Mechanical Engineering For engineering engineering and high school students, students, this video features a look at the jobs of 18 mechanical engineers engineers.. The video takes takes the viewer viewer through through typical workdays workdays.. Fi Find nd out what engineers believe believe to be the most important aspects of  their education education and working life life.. Learn how they handled the transition from education to their careers. careers. ASME Order No: VH47 VH471 10. ($24 ($24..95) 95),, 27min. The Mothers of Invention For middle middle and high school students, this video shows shows significant technical accomplishments of women, minorities, and children throughout American history and up to the present day day.. See famous famous inventions inventions,, some of which are are still still used in homes homes and busine businesses sses.. The package include includess a teacher’s guide and poster. poster. ASME Order Order No: No: 490 490490 490 ($25..00 ($25 00),), 10 min. Engineering Is for Everyone  For elementary elementary grades, a video and teaching kit demonstrate that math and science are fun and interesting. Follow along as a young narrator and her friends work on variouss projects. variou projects. The kit includes includes a teacher’s guide, guide, suggested projects and a poster p oster.. ASME Order No: VX01 VX0191 ($19.95), 12 mi min. n.

Fax (24 hours) 973-882-1717/5155

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For More Information visit the the Mechanical Engineering Careers website at http://www.asm http://www.asme.org/careers e.org/careers and ASME Student Center at www.asme.org/students

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October 2000 MP0398 45M