Mechanical vs Electrical: Exploring Job Market Prospects for Graduates

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the job market prospects for graduates in Mechanical Engineering versus Electrical Engineering. Participants explore the relative advantages of each major in terms of employment opportunities and personal fulfillment in their chosen fields.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that the job market for Electrical Engineers has been superior to that for Mechanical Engineers over the last decade in the United States, though both fields have seen declines compared to the 80s and 90s.
  • Others argue that personal passion should guide the choice of major, suggesting that being a skilled engineer in any field is more beneficial than choosing a major solely based on market trends.
  • A participant expresses concern about the potential for studying a subject they enjoy but being unable to find related employment, although they believe this concern is less significant in engineering.
  • Another participant shares their experience of initially choosing Mechanical Engineering for its broad applicability but developing an interest in control theory, questioning whether they can pursue a career in controls with a Mechanical degree.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of personal interest in choosing a major, but there are competing views regarding the job market prospects for Mechanical versus Electrical Engineering graduates.

Contextual Notes

Some statements reflect personal opinions and experiences, and the discussion does not resolve the question of which major has a better job market, leaving it open to interpretation based on individual circumstances.

MEM33
Messages
22
Reaction score
0
Hello all, I am a Mechanical major at Drexel University. I am throwing this up for debate...Which major has a better job market after graduation, mechanical or electrical?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
MEM33 said:
Hello all, I am a Mechanical major at Drexel University. I am throwing this up for debate...Which major has a better job market after graduation, mechanical or electrical?

They both ebb and flow. Over the last 10 years or so, in the United States, the job market for Electrical Engineers has been superior to that for Mechanical. That said, they are both not as good as they were in the 80s and 90s.

Personally, I would study what you're passionate about. You're far better off being a good Mechanical engineer than a mediocre Electrical Engineer, even if the market for EEs is a bit better.
 
Do what you want to do. IMO, the job market should only be a concern if you're truly worried that you'll do a degree in something you like, but then not be able to find a job that's at all related to that subject, so you'll end up doing something completely unrelated which you hate. In the case of engineering, I don't think that's a very big concern.
 
thegreenlaser said:
Do what you want to do. IMO, the job market should only be a concern if you're truly worried that you'll do a degree in something you like, but then not be able to find a job that's at all related to that subject, so you'll end up doing something completely unrelated which you hate. In the case of engineering, I don't think that's a very big concern.

Good point. Coming into the program I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, so I figured I would be a mechanical major, since it is the broadest of the bunch. Now that I have been exposed to quite a few different classes, I find control theory very interesting. At my school you can concentrate in control theory as a mechanical or electrical major. I guess my specific question can you enter the field of something like controls with a mechanical degree?

Thanks,
Mem33
 

Similar threads

Is electrical engineering a good major for machine learning/AI jobs?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Other Mechanical drafter moving to electrical engineering
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Getting into an engineering career with no degree...
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
5K
Programs Engineering Triple Major (Mechanical, Electrical, Computer Science)
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
7K
Courses Help choosing modules for electrical engineer - electronics degree
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
What Engineering Path Should I Choose for My Career?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Programs Electrical Engineering PhD or Applied Physics PhD?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Admissions What are my chances of getting into a competitive physics PhD program?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Admissions Plasma Physics PhD from an EE undergrad
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Admissions Minimum GPA & GPA-Importance for Top PhD Programs
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K