The discussion revolves around the experiences and perceptions of mechanical engineering as a career choice, particularly focusing on the integration of physics and mathematics in the field. Participants share their views on the enjoyment and challenges of being a mechanical engineer, as well as the societal impact of engineering work.
Participants generally agree that mechanical engineering can be fun and fulfilling, but there are competing views regarding the enjoyment of mathematics and its role in engineering. The discussion remains unresolved on the subjective experience of math in engineering.
Some participants express a preference for practical applications over theoretical math, indicating a potential divide in how engineering education is approached. There are also references to personal experiences that may not universally apply.
Individuals considering a career in mechanical engineering, current students in engineering programs, and those interested in the practical applications of physics and math in engineering contexts.
jehake12 said:Go job shadow a few engineers. Do it.
I really like mechanical engineering. I enjoy CAD, analysis, critical thinking, building prototypes and testing. The autonomy is fantastic.
I don't like giving weekly presentations and having unrealistic milestone dates for R&D work.
xxChrisxx said:You have the rest of your life to chose and pursue a career. Don't think you are going to be locked down to something in the next three months.
But, yes being an engineer is fun. You get to solve problems, ther eis a degree of autonomy (depending where you work). And every machine you see has been designed at some level by an engineer.
Maths is a big one for engineering, although I tend to avoid it as much as possible.
AlexES16 said:Do you get to see a lot of physics and math? Becouse i really like those.
xxChrisxx said:You must be mental, maths isn't remotely fun. You can use as much maths as you like, certain jobs require more, others less.
It's all applied maths though, none of that pure maths rubbish.
xxChrisxx said:You must be mental, maths isn't remotely fun. You can use as much maths as you like, certain jobs require more, others less.
It's all applied maths though, none of that pure maths rubbish.
Cyrus said:I don't think that's a good statement or example to be telling this kid. Without that 'rubbish math' engineering doesn't move forward.
Turbodog said:Yes, it is fun being a mechanical engineer. For a year and a half so far I've really enjoyed my job. In my short experience I've had to find solutions to open ended tasks. You enjoy physics now, like myself you may find that you enjoy mechanics, dynamics, and elements of mechanical design which all involve physics. I really enjoy the fact that I get to contribute to creating something real. Some of my company's customers are well known and create products like gasoline and plastics that we all use every day, so this is valuable to society.
Turbodog said:Yes, it is fun being a mechanical engineer. For a year and a half so far I've really enjoyed my job. In my short experience I've had to find solutions to open ended tasks. You enjoy physics now, like myself you may find that you enjoy mechanics, dynamics, and elements of mechanical design which all involve physics. I really enjoy the fact that I get to contribute to creating something real. Some of my company's customers are well known and create products like gasoline and plastics that we all use every day, so this is valuable to society.
RandomGuy88 said:I just graduated as a mechanical engineering and I love it so far. You just have to make sure that you do more than just class work. I spent the last 4 years designing/building RC planes and other flying vehicles, and friends of mine built race cars. Class work can sometimes get a little repetitive and boring but working in a lab, building and testing things and solving real problems is a lot of fun.
xxChrisxx said:All of engineering is aplied maths and physics. That's the techincal side. If you say becomes a desgin engineer, you need the maths and physics for calculations but there is an element of creativity in your designs. So it's a nice blend of skills that you need.