Careers in Mechanical Engineering???

just_did_it

Hi

I'm just for a bit of advice really, as I am considering going back to college next year as a mature student to study Mechanical Eng.

Bit of background info about me:

23 now,
Did the leaving cert in 2006 got 365 points (B2 in honours Eng)
Worked as a general operative till 2009 but am since unemployed and working on the small farm at home (hobby only no future with 18 suckler cows )

I have a great interest in cars, engines, machinery all things mechanical really:D

So would mechanical course be a good choice for someone with my interests?

In three of four years time will there be Jobs for someone with a degree in Mechanical engineering for those of you who work in the industry?

And finally What sort of Jobs or Work could I find myself doing if I do this course and get a job?

Bit of a rant here hopefully someone will give me a bit of advice

gOst

Job markets are cyclic and you really can't predict what the job market will be like in 4 years time (I started civil eng in 2006, load of jobs in civil....). The beauty of engineering degrees is they're so transferable both in terms of places you can practice as well the skills you learn. You could end up in business or management role, it really is one of the most versatile qualifications you could have. Think of it as an arts degree without the shame (joking)

One thing I would advise is to try get hold of the material or coursework you would be doing. Despite what the open days look like it's not all spud guns and F1 cars. I know plenty of people who very mechanically minded but didn't get the theory and ended up hating the course and dropping out.

There will always be employment in mechanical engineering, you just might have to travel to find it.

Best of luck

mawk

there its in fact, very little to do with engines and machinery in mechanical engineering. in any practical capacity anyways. I studied it in cit, and even though I think its a good course, after 1st year the practical end fairly dries up and it becomes very theory oriented.

you should look into mechatronics as an alternative. should be quite a lot of work out of that

flash1080

If you wanted a more practical route to ease into it (or don't have Higher Level maths) you could do a 3 year Ordinary degree followed by the last two year of an Honours degree, so it'd take 5 years instead of 4 to get an Honours degree. If you do well in college and don't limit your options (like deciding you only wanted to work in automotive engineering and nothing else), then you should be able to find work at the end of it. The amount of different industries and job types you could end up doing is endless.

Heroditas

Mech is possibly the broadest of all engineering disciplines.
Everything from material science, applied maths, fluid mechanics, power generation, refrigeration etc all fall under the umbrella.
You could end up working in the likes of Intel or even a power plant with a mechanical engineering degree.
That's the beauty of it - it's general enough that you still get a good grounding but are not pigeon holed.

just_did_it

Thanks for all the replies people

I got a B3 in ordinary level maths in my Leaving Cert so I should hopefully be able for the maths involved,

I see most IT's have 'lower' points requirements for Mech Eng, mostly around 250 points or so, But the Universities have a lot higher points required.

At the moment in time I have no hope of getting a job with no skills or certs to my name.


Think I'll give it a shot next year and hopefully better myself in my career

Heroditas

Just as a word of warning - I did Mechanical Engineering in UCD and the maths subject itself in the course was of a reasonably high level.
However, some of the maths in the likes of our fluid mechanics subject or the electrical/electronic modules was extremely tough.
Without honours maths, it would be quite a struggle

kevohmsford

just_did_it wrote: »

And finally What sort of Jobs or Work could I find myself doing if I do this course and get a job?

A lot of Mechanical Engineers get work in the semiconductor industry as field service engineers, in the automotive and aviation industry as mechanical design engineer. Other jobs include customer engineers for semiconductor companies.

Some people branch into other careers in finance and management or other careers.

I have had interviews both here and the UK recently for positions in the semiconductor industry and manufacturing industry for renewable technologies.

Most companies want more practical engineers with a wide range of skills, including interpersonal skills.

Judging from interviews I will not use a whole lot of what I learned in college but have to have the qualification non the less.

If you are looking at a 4 year degree you will probably have to do a year long masters aswell afterwards. Engineers Ireland have changed the rules this year for becoming a chartered engineer.

Any other questions just let me know.

Sarz91

kevohmsford wrote: »

If you are looking at a 4 year degree you will probably have to do a year long masters aswell afterwards. Engineers Ireland have changed the rules this year for becoming a chartered engineer.

^^
This. Going into my final year of this degree now and I'll have to do a masters in order to apply for charter ship. However, because of this most colleges will be offering taught masters in the near future.

Turbulent Bill

Sarz91 wrote: »

^^
This. Going into my final year of this degree now and I'll have to do a masters in order to apply for charter ship. However, because of this most colleges will be offering taught masters in the near future.

I wouldn't get too hung up on doing a masters course for chartership straight away. It's far less important in mech to be chartered than in civil (for example); most employers won't care whether you are CEng or not. Secondly, I think it's more valuable to do a specialist masters in a particular area rather than just tacking an extra year onto your degree, both for your own interest and your potential employer(s).

Whatever course you pick should be accredited by EI, however, and I don't know if they still do this for 4-year courses. This is particularly important if you want to work abroad and have your qualifications recognised.

Nukem

Heroditas wrote: »

Mech is possibly the broadest of all engineering.

Mech is pretty broad and word to the wise there is very little hands on working with machines etc...

If your looking into something that takes you into the engine and utilities side I would go for marine. I'm a mech eng but have a lot of friends and colleagues who did marine and they would have greater Hands on experience than I do.

I'm doing energy mangement now but a qualified mech eng originally, but I know guys from college that have ended up in pharma, petro chem, PM, maintenance, reliability, FM so it can take you a fair few places