Additional Information
If you're thinking about applying to a mechanical engineering program,
advanced senior-level courses in physics and math are essential. Without these
courses, you'll have to take a year of prerequisites at college before you
can be accepted into a mechanical engineering program.
Mechanical engineering is a challenging career that carries a great deal
of responsibility. Because of the nature of this work, mechanical engineering
is a highly regulated field. Every mechanical engineering school in America
has to be accredited by a professional association of engineers to ensure
a consistent level of skill in people in this field.
Co-op programs are another consideration for students looking into an undergraduate
degree in mechanical engineering. Co-ops are programs that combine work experience
with classroom training. These programs take longer to complete than regular
academic programs, but people in this field say they're well worth the investment.
"With co-op programs, you may be working for IBM in one term and a small
manufacturing company for the next. It gives you a really diverse range of
experience and allows you to put the things you learn in the classroom to
use," says mechanical engineer Donald Webster.
To earn the title of professional engineer, students must complete a bachelor's
degree in mechanical engineering and work for two to four years in a related
job. The regulations for this field vary from state to state. Some areas also
require students to pass an engineering ethics exam before being certified.
Experts say a little play can't hurt when you're thinking about a career
in this field. "People who are interested in dabbling with the mechanics of
cars or boats usually do well in [mechanical engineering] programs, because
they can apply real situations to the theoretical problems presented in class,"
says mechanical engineer Tom Marston.