As an Engineer, will you just sit on your butt?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the perceptions and realities of a career in Mechanical Engineering, particularly concerning the balance between office work and hands-on activities. Participants explore the nature of engineering jobs, including design work, fieldwork, and the potential for travel and hands-on projects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern that Mechanical Engineers primarily work in offices using design software like Solidworks, questioning if this is the reality of the profession.
  • Another participant shares their experience as an electrical engineer, suggesting that engineers often travel and engage in hands-on work, countering the notion of a sedentary job.
  • A participant seeks clarification on the desire to design and work hands-on, suggesting that the individual might be considering a mechanic role instead of an engineering position.
  • One participant outlines three types of engineers: Research, Production, and Field engineers, describing the nature of work in each category and emphasizing that not all engineering roles involve sitting at a desk.
  • Another participant reinforces that engineering jobs can vary significantly, with some roles requiring extensive fieldwork and problem-solving, while others may involve more sedentary tasks.
  • A later reply highlights the variability in engineering roles, mentioning that some engineers work in corporate settings while others are more hands-on in the field, suggesting a spectrum of experiences within the profession.
  • One participant encourages the original poster to seek internships early, implying that practical experience can vary widely in engineering careers.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that engineering roles can vary significantly in terms of office versus hands-on work. However, there is no consensus on the extent to which Mechanical Engineers may or may not spend time in sedentary roles, as multiple perspectives on the nature of engineering work are presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants express differing views on the balance of office work and hands-on activities in engineering, with some emphasizing the importance of fieldwork and others focusing on design tasks. The discussion reflects a range of experiences and expectations regarding engineering careers.

  • #31
Well good thing you enjoy it, for me I think I would get depressed! (and maybe arthritis)
 
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  • #32
That's life in any setting after school, unless you end up as a mechanic/carpenter. Yes it does lose its luster once start working in the field, but it does have its moments. It's those moments that make it all worth it.

Yes, you will be spending hours in front of the computer typing proposals, making spreadsheets, doing design work, answering emails, doing computations, loads of paperwork.

But, it all makes it worth it when you see something you have been working on for a long come to life.

Engineering isn't like Mythbusters where you are in a huge warehouse and left to nothing but your imagination. We all wish it was it that.

Trust me though, stay with it. If you enjoy how things work/taking things apart, I think you will still enjoy engineering. I was the same as you.
 
  • #33
I think being a scientist in the field (i.e. field biologist) and educator would be more fun...maybe I'll pursue that instead. Plus, no work during the summer! So I can go through with my travel plans
 
  • #34
Woopydalan said:
I think being a scientist in the field (i.e. field biologist) and educator would be more fun...maybe I'll pursue that instead. Plus, no work during the summer! So I can go through with my travel plans

Actually, if you become a professor. You work the whole year. Professors do research (not only teach), and still need to supplement their income for the summer months. However, if you wish you can travel the summer months.
 
  • #35
Maybe community college teacher or high school. I know they make squat for cash but if I can live frugally and get the summer/winter to travel it'd be more worth it than working year round for twice as much money, especially if I can only spend it on things that I care less about (house size, cars, etc)
 
  • #36
Thanks for the heads up Guys.

I just want to enjoy my job. I think I envisioned the wrong picture of what an Modern Engineer does on a daily basis.

It's depressing to me, if I have to stare at a Computer Screen ALL DAY LONG. I want to design, build, test, and refine. But, that's certainly not happening.
 
  • #37
Maybe you should get a PhD and become an academic engineer, then you get to do the real nitty gritty of design.
 
  • #38
What is a Academic Engineer?
 
  • #39
Someone who is a professor of engineering at a university, they conduct research at their school. I'm guessing they get more design freedom than your standard engineer in industry, but what do I know
 
  • #40
KidWonder said:
It's depressing to me, if I have to stare at a Computer Screen ALL DAY LONG. I want to design, build, test, and refine. But, that's certainly not happening.

What do you mean by those words?

Design -> Sitting with software tools, staring at a screen.

Build -> Actually using tools, and putting metallic frames together? (that is a machine and/or a mechanic work). However, INVENTORS do those kind of jobs, but I think that's mostly freelance work.

Test -> It's a way to collect a lot of data of your prototype, and then you need to analyze through a available software, or program your own (more time sitting).

Refine -> Improvements in design? additional testing? more time sitting.
 
  • #41
Go to an oil rig and you won't be sitting in office.

Go to a mechanical design company, you will be desperate to find a chance to walk around.

ME is a very broad field. Do not generalize it by looking at one or two person.
 
  • #42
I hope to not get just the average mechanical engineering job, with a concentration in aerospace I and hopefully masters in aerospace engineering that I can do something more exciting, but I'm not counting on it right off the bat. Even if I end up in a regular ME job, I could justify it by using my knowledge and skills to design, build, test things of interest in my free time. Better than not getting paid well and working with my hands by putting together someone else's design.
 

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