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STEM Career Spotlight: Mechanical Engineer

By: Keerthana Vinod


Think about your car’s engine, the air conditioning in the room, the escalator at the mall. Who designs these tools and makes them so they’re safe and functional? Well, these everyday objects are designed by none other than mechanical engineers. If you are passionate about design and development, this might just be the job for you! If you are looking to go into this career, or are just curious about it in general, this article will cover most of the details of what being a mechanical engineer is, as well as ways you can get a head-start in getting into the industry. This article will analyze what being a mechanical engineer is all about, the recommended high school and college courses students should take, and the salary of a mechanical engineer.


Now, what exactly is a mechanical engineer? In a general sense, mechanical engineers help to design, build, and test thermal and mechanical sensors/devices(some examples being elevators and escalators). Some specific aspects of what they do include: analyzing various problems to see whether mechanical/thermal devices can fix them, designing/redesigning mechanical or thermal devices, investigating failures in equipment, testing/improving prototypes of their designs, and overseeing the manufacturing of devices. They help make designs more efficient and renewable. This job is based on 3 main skills: creativity, communication, problem-solving, and numeracy(math skills).


Knowing that mechanical engineers need to have extensive knowledge and skills in both engineering and math, what classes/degrees would be ideal? In high school, numerous classes would be beneficial to students interested in this career. For example, taking any sort of higher-level math class(AP or IB course especially) will help students gain experience in advanced calculations early on. It is also advised to take engineering and/or physics classes if they are offered in the school. These classes will help teach the fundamentals of engineering, as well as provide additional background knowledge that will be beneficial in college. At the college level, a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technologies is necessary to become a mechanical engineer.


Let’s get the question that we’ve all been thinking about out of the way: How much money can I make from being a mechanical engineer? There are several answers to this question as this, like many other jobs, has different salaries depending on your experience level. As an entry-level mechanical engineer, you would receive around $74,000. Someone later in their career as a senior mechanical engineer would make roughly $119,000. A lead mechanical engineer would earn $123,000 and a principal mechanical engineer would earn $144,000. On a contract basis, this salary could go even higher!


Being a mechanical engineer is an essential job in a world where we are constantly seeking improvement in technology. From space exploration to car manufacturing, mechanical engineers play a crucial role in today’s society. Thousands of people around the world are starting their careers as mechanical engineers, and your journey to becoming one can start as soon as today.



Works Cited:

Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Mechanical Engineers : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.” Bls.gov, 13 Apr. 2018, www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/mechanical-engineers.htm#tab-1.

Santiago, Ross. “Exploring the World of Mechanical Engineering.” Discover Engineering, 22 Dec. 2023, www.discoverengineering.org/exploring-the-world-of-mechanical-engineering/. Accessed 22 Apr. 2024.


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