Are there any MEs on TL? If so I have a few questions to ask you. What type of skills should i focus on to help me out later when i actually get into the field of engineering? I took AUTOCAD and solidworks but I don't think it was enough, should I really spend large quantities of time to master those programs or focus on say, math?

Just looking for some tips. also feel free to discuss senior design projects.

ZpuX

Sweden1230 Posts

June 11 2009 19:55 GMT

depends on, do you like CAD and if you are talented you should continue with it. But I wont make any effort to learn it properly because I probably wont do it good no matter how many hours I spend with it.

And you should focus on the things you want to work with. You wont have much use of all the math you are learning, but if you wanna work with energy etc then thermodynamics might be worth putting a few extra hours on the subject. It all comes down to what you are interested in

Cloud

Sexico5880 Posts

June 11 2009 20:07 GMT

Thermodynamics is awesome, and statistic thermodynamics seems like a really awesome subject. Im a civil engineer though :S

Chill

Calgary25998 Posts

June 11 2009 20:13 GMT

Those are some vague-ass questions.

To be honest, you will use about 1% of the technical skills you develop, so focus on what you enjoy, not what you feel is desirable. I enjoyed drafting so I learned solidworks a lot. I also enjoyed a little progamming, so mechatronics was my favourite class. In the end I use programming to write Excel macros and I've never touched mechatronics since that class. I use pipeline hydraulics and a little heat transfer and stress analysis mostly now.

My senior project was for a company that developed polymers and ceramics to be used in the auto industry. As many of these were new materials, the mechanical properties were basically unknown, and couldn't be modelled. As such they had to test them in impacts.

There's two metal C-shaped piece by both of your knees when you drive. In an impact, they deform just enough to lessen the impact on yoru knees. We machined a steel piece to simulate a knee, and a 5 metre drop tower. We attached a load sensor in the knee and smashed it into the metal piece and recorded the response. Then we translated that into force.

When we were all finished, the company ended up going under. -_-. Anyways it was fun and we had this massive drop tower when we were done, and it turned into a 3rd year physics lab.

CTStalker

Canada9720 Posts

June 11 2009 20:18 GMT

i would recommend geodesy and geomatics engineering (classically survey engineering) to anyone considering engineering but lacking a definite passion for a particular discipline.
the opportunities are really healthy, both for compensation and for the potential to travel while you work. a friend of mine who graduated 3 years ago has already worked in texas, the indian ocean, the gulf of mexico, and germany, and he's had a hell of a time doing it

but if you love physics then ignore all this

IntoTheWow

is awesome32278 Posts

June 11 2009 20:23 GMT

I would focus on math or say physics than cad or anything like that. CAD can change any day, a new program can come out. I'm not saying you totally ignore math, but most knowledge of engineering steps on basic sciences like math and physics, and it's always interesting to know how really things work.

But more important is studying what you like. What year are you on? What's the thing that you are most looking forward too?

Hypnosis

United States2061 Posts

June 11 2009 20:52 GMT

I really really love physics, to understand how everything i take for granted relates and works is amazing. RIght now I am a sophomore in college, I have taken chem, physics 1, calc 1, autocad/solidworks and a lab so far (other credits were psyc, econ and english). I ended up getting a C in the hardest physics class ever.. The teacher was a total fuck and he covered about 2 times the material we were supposed to. Mind you i got a C without going to the class because it was so horrendous. This gives me hope that physics is what i want to do, hence the mechanical part. Math I can do but it doesn't interest me.. autocad is fun and i can see its usefulness but aren't there people that specialize in that already? I don't really want to waste time in something that people take five different classes for haha.

I am more of a creative person than a cold hard fact person who knows everything about science and math so i a looking forward to the design aspect of engineering. Brainstorming ideas how something could be improved or thinking of new uses for things or coming up with a really innovative design process..

I do like studying, for example i do not regret taking summer classes and spend my time looking up engineering forums and playing guitar lol.

Pufftrees

2449 Posts

June 11 2009 22:49 GMT

I graduated in Aerospace engineering (which shares same program as Mechanical engineering at my university). Few things I'd suggest.

1. Learn the industry standard codes like AutoCAD just enough to where you can confidently put on a resume you know how to use them. ANY job that requires you to know a certain program.. will have a full training on using it for the task they do. So just get enough basics for their streamline crash course.

2. As undergraduate, don't worry about focusing on a specific field within ME. Explore all math, physics, and specifics in ME like structures, dynamics, controls etc. Try to really find what you enjoy the most. I ended up with 2 minors in math/physics from extra courses, but my physics courses on SpaceTime Physics, relativity, or Astrodynamics were my favorite by far.

3. Talk to professors about doing project work if you are a senior. Having professors know your face opens up way more internships and recommendations.

4. ENJOY SCHOOL!!! I work for NASA now but partied my ass off in school. Enjoy it!! Once you leave college you will miss it terribly. ENJOY IT!