Things I should be doing/career path help
Things I should be doing/career path help
(OP)
Hello all,
1:
I'm new to the forum; first post. I'm about to enter my senior year of undergraduate mechanical engineering at the University of Arizona. This summer I had the realization that my (supposed) first job is only a year away. I want to make myself as marketable as possible, so I've taken some steps to do so.
Already experienced with SolidWorks, I was in dismay to find hardly any companies use the product, and many use PTC. I downloaded Creo/Elements Pro 5.0 student edition and I have been practicing around 2 hours a day with it. I would like to get experience with CATIA as well, and I will probably purchase the student version soon.
Other than learning the desired CAD programs, what would you all recommend to place myself above the rest of the soon to be new mechanical graduates? (I'm aware internship experience is paramount, I am seeking an internship for the upcoming senior year now.)
2:
With mechanical engineering being the so-called "jack-of-all-trades" of engineering, I still am having difficulty finding a definite career path/specialty that truly interests me. I was hoping I could perhaps provide what I've enjoyed in school and my interests, and you all could suggest good fits in industry.
Coursework I've enjoyed:
-Intro to CAD (I really enjoy 3D modeling, and making things within a program, I'd like to use some sort of CAD in the future)
-Dynamics
-Dynamics of Machines
-Machining Lab (I liked the hands on machining work, as well ass being able to take my Solidworks models and machine them into real parts)
-Numerical Methods (I thought Matlab was a very interesting and cool program)
Interests:
-Renewable energy
-Cars (particularly electric or hydrogen powered)
-Design from scratch (I wanted to be an inventor as a kid)
I'd appreciate any insight or suggestions on either topic; this community looks like a great place for help and to meet some fellow engineers.
1:
I'm new to the forum; first post. I'm about to enter my senior year of undergraduate mechanical engineering at the University of Arizona. This summer I had the realization that my (supposed) first job is only a year away. I want to make myself as marketable as possible, so I've taken some steps to do so.
Already experienced with SolidWorks, I was in dismay to find hardly any companies use the product, and many use PTC. I downloaded Creo/Elements Pro 5.0 student edition and I have been practicing around 2 hours a day with it. I would like to get experience with CATIA as well, and I will probably purchase the student version soon.
Other than learning the desired CAD programs, what would you all recommend to place myself above the rest of the soon to be new mechanical graduates? (I'm aware internship experience is paramount, I am seeking an internship for the upcoming senior year now.)
2:
With mechanical engineering being the so-called "jack-of-all-trades" of engineering, I still am having difficulty finding a definite career path/specialty that truly interests me. I was hoping I could perhaps provide what I've enjoyed in school and my interests, and you all could suggest good fits in industry.
Coursework I've enjoyed:
-Intro to CAD (I really enjoy 3D modeling, and making things within a program, I'd like to use some sort of CAD in the future)
-Dynamics
-Dynamics of Machines
-Machining Lab (I liked the hands on machining work, as well ass being able to take my Solidworks models and machine them into real parts)
-Numerical Methods (I thought Matlab was a very interesting and cool program)
Interests:
-Renewable energy
-Cars (particularly electric or hydrogen powered)
-Design from scratch (I wanted to be an inventor as a kid)
I'd appreciate any insight or suggestions on either topic; this community looks like a great place for help and to meet some fellow engineers.





RE: Things I should be doing/career path help
You seem very hung up on various CAD systems, fair enough. However, given your stated interests I'd encourage you to think about what you do with the CAD, not just where the buttons etc. are.
By this I mean learn how to create a good drawing (or potentially MBD equivalent), relevant drafting standard, tolerancing principles, general drawing good practices... This would put you ahead of most new grads if you're OK with doing your own drafting/detailing.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Things I should be doing/career path help
I agree with KENAT. Look into internship.
Working with CAD is almost a given. It's a common tool within engineering.
Chris, CSWA
SolidWorks 14
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion
RE: Things I should be doing/career path help
TTFN

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RE: Things I should be doing/career path help
However the truth is that not many automotive OEMs do a whole lot of what you or I would consider blue sky product innovation (Tesla excepted), you may want to consider Tier one suppliers.
For renewables I'd have a think about going to China, again, you wouldn't be doing blue sky research.
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Things I should be doing/career path help
RE: Things I should be doing/career path help
However, unless you are applying to work at the same place you intern at then much of what you did in your internship probably won't be directly relevant anyway - even if in the same nominal field.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Things I should be doing/career path help
- Steve
RE: Things I should be doing/career path help
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Things I should be doing/career path help
Concerning acquiring internships,
I've been doing much reading on the forum on the power of a phone call or even walking into a company in person, even if they have no listing for a intern position available. When I find companies that look interesting to me to intern at during my last year, what would be the suggested method for inquiring about obtaining an internship? Being that I'm home for summer, away from Tucson, walking in isn't the most convenient option (though I could easily make the 3 and a half hour drive down).
RE: Things I should be doing/career path help
My son parlayed one internship into another, which led to his job offer for after graduation. Nothing immediately applicable to his last internship, but it was solid job experience at a reputable company doing more than gopher stuff.
TTFN

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Need help writing a question or understanding a reply? forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers
RE: Things I should be doing/career path help
photocopying and stapling other peoples reports for them
counting the number of semi trailers on site
phoning round local haulage businesses for quotes so we could find out why our suppliers were using them rather than us for some jobs and not others
stocktake on the number of batteries for production every night, to try and find out how they were going missing (after I left, big clue: overnight security guard with keys to the locked storage compound)
working on an assembly line that wasn't running due to strike action
handing out pay packets
compiling the goddamn absentee returns every day and issuing the report to the line managers (incredibly tedious but I now know why it matters)
I did a lot of more useful and interesting things as well.
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Things I should be doing/career path help
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Things I should be doing/career path help
Chris, CSWA
SolidWorks 14
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion
RE: Things I should be doing/career path help
One's "soft skills" are what provides career growth. Do not neglect the soft skills:
TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Virtuoso Robotics Engineering
www.bluetechnik.com
RE: Things I should be doing/career path help