Engineers?

[00Sebby]

This isn't really about 4runners but I've noticed that this forum seems to have a really high concentration of engineers. I'm a senior in high school and am planning on pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering at one of the 6 colleges I've applied to and am wondering if anyone has any advice for me going into college.

So post up of you are an engineer or have anything to tell me!

I don't see anywhere that you stated ME is what you really want to do. If you don't really love engineering, being an engineer is a miserable existence. I studied electrical engineering and computer science because that's where the jobs were and ended up starting out as a quality engineer in the automotive industry. Since I've alway been an auto enthusiast, working in the industry was fun for about 10 years but I just tolerated the actual work... not something I was passionate about. The second 10 years was moving up through management, getting 6sigma blackbelt and other certifications while always looking for a way out of the factories. I got my MBA so that I could jump ship and fortunately the company I worked for laid me off... first time I had ever been laid off or fired. Just having completed my MBA, I started a PhD in Natural Resources. I felt like a kid again and love the field. But at the same time I started consulting. Consulting paid the bills and made the whole factory thing tolerable so I did not finish the PhD. Now, I am a full-time consultant going into new businesses to fix people and processes. Not what I want to do long term but will work until I get out of debt. Then we can live off my wife's income (she's a college professor) and I can raise and train hunting dogs or something. That's my story and I only offer it to remind you to make sure engineering is really what you want to do. Good luck!

 

[AKmoney]

I don't see anywhere that you stated ME is what you really want to do. If you don't really love engineering, being an engineer is a miserable existence.

I think it's all about figuring out what you want to do along the way. Very few of us can state we knew exactly what we'd be doing for a living when we were in high school. The nice part about having an engineering degree is it opens up lots of doors. You can continue along a technical path (MS in engineering), go into business and/or management (MBA), practice law with a technical background (JD) and so on and so on...

 

[00Sebby]

I think it's all about figuring out what you want to do along the way. Very few of us can state we knew exactly what we'd be doing for a living when we were in high school. The nice part about having an engineering degree is it opens up lots of doors. You can continue along a technical path (MS in engineering), go into business and/or management (MBA), practice law with a technical background (JD) and so on and so on...

I agree. I just see too many kids "encouraged" by parents and others that engineering is the safe way to go for a good job... as you said, lots of options. My parents did that to me when I was really wanting to get a forestry, wildlife and fisheries degree. I never wanted to work in a factory. But I listened and fell into the rut. When I was working on the PhD in natural resources, I felt at home and wish I did not waste 20 years confirming I went with the wrong career. Now, I'm just working toward quickest path to start my own hobby-based business / semi-retirement.

My son started out in computer science. Calculus hit him in the face and then we started talking about what he really liked. He is a talented writer and was interested in journalism, modern media, etc. 4 years later he is graduating with a degree in journalism having done a lot of food writing, blogs, newspaper stuff and is now focusing on architectural writing. He loves it and decided to go for a masters while continuing to develop a portfolio of work. He knows he will have to excel to make it work as a living but with enough talent, passion and discipline he should be ok.

 

[1engineer]

I don't see anywhere that you stated ME is what you really want to do. If you don't really love engineering, being an engineer is a miserable existence. I studied electrical engineering and computer science because that's where the jobs were and ended up starting out as a quality engineer in the automotive industry. Since I've alway been an auto enthusiast, working in the industry was fun for about 10 years but I just tolerated the actual work... not something I was passionate about. The second 10 years was moving up through management, getting 6sigma blackbelt and other certifications while always looking for a way out of the factories. I got my MBA so that I could jump ship and fortunately the company I worked for laid me off... first time I had ever been laid off or fired. Just having completed my MBA, I started a PhD in Natural Resources. I felt like a kid again and love the field. But at the same time I started consulting. Consulting paid the bills and made the whole factory thing tolerable so I did not finish the PhD. Now, I am a full-time consultant going into new businesses to fix people and processes. Not what I want to do long term but will work until I get out of debt. Then we can live off my wife's income (she's a college professor) and I can raise and train hunting dogs or something. That's my story and I only offer it to remind you to make sure engineering is really what you want to do. Good luck!

Exactly. You are an engineer... or not. It's pretty much a defining thing. OP you'll know if you are meant to do this after the second year.

 

[LookAtThatDog]

Wow I never imagined all the advice I would get! Thank you so much!

To answer a couple questions I applied to and their ranking for me 3.university of Iowa,4.Minnesota,1.Wisconsin Madison, 1.Michigan,5.Arizona state, and 2.Ohio state. So far I've been admitted to Iowa and Arizona state(not really sure if I should go there, would be very hard to focus on my studies) .

Sounds like a simple choice....

 

[WiscoDisco]

Sounds like a simple choice....

Hahahaha both my parents went there, dad for biomed engineering then law ,mom for mechanical. My dad took me down the weekend of the Michigan game and we toured, tailgated, and got to watch the hawks upset Michigan and storm the field. Before that I wasn't even really considering it(too much corn I thought )

 

[HerT4R]

I've also noticed that many of the kids in my classes don't know how to change a tire and don't really feel how things work the way I feel like I do.

Dream job for me would probably be to work for a car manufacturer (Toyota or **p) I'm also really interested in joining either the Baja or the formula team wherever I may attend.

Dear prospective engineer,

I'm graduating in May with a bachelor's in mechanical engineering technology (MET). The "technology" or sometimes called "applied engineering" adage means its more "hands on" learning than the normal ME degree.

OP, based on your sentiments, i challenge you to check out an ABET accredited MET or, at my university it was called MMET (manufacturing and mechanical engineering), program (like Inv4dr and myself). Then plan to take the FE (fundamentals of engineering exam) BEFORE you graduate, or RIGHT AFTER. I say that because you will likely forget what you worked so hard to retain in college or need to study a bit to regain the knowledge that you cannot quickly recall to take the FE. Also i say that its good to take the FE because as a "non-standard" engineering major (MET or MMET) you will likely have to defend yourself for not explicitly having an ME degree. Passing the FE proves you know your stuff and gives you an "Engineer-in-training" certificate. Also only consider ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc., is a non-governmental organization that accredits post-secondary education programs in "applied science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology".) accredited MET or MMET programs.

Basically i did my first two years in ME, and hated it, i didnt want to sit behind my desk or books for the rest of my life, and thats what i saw for myself if i went that route (now i know thats not quite true, but its what it looked like to me at that point). I changed majors to MMET and it was the best decision i made in college. It added no time to my expected graduation date. I got to take classes that all had labs to reinforce the lectures. I met some professors i still lean on and keep up with today. And i made some friends who i consider contacts at other companies who i could reach out to if i ever need to.

College tips:
1. Play hard, study harder.
Have fun, but you need to know that degree is why you are there. College is a learning experience, inside and outside of the lecture halls and classrooms.

2. Stay on campus at least 1 year with a "potluck" roomie.

3. Get involved in something OUTSIDE of school.
If interested, joint a recreational sports or club sports team of your choosing. Or the Society of Automotive Engineers Chapter at the school you choose.

 

[Engineer]

Read through the rest of the replies, all good but one word of advise which may only apply to my experience, but at my employer there is a vast difference between how the company views MET vs. ME's. One is a tech pay scale the other is a engineering pay scale. There are entry level jobs that they hire both MET's and ME's for (different pay....go figure, they are technically titled different but responsibilities are the same) the reality is that the MET's are stuck and the ME's move on to "bigger and better things". I was trained by an MET when I hired on, he regretted not having his ME as he had been with the company 13 years and had no room for growth because of it. From another's posts it sounds like other companies are different and prefer the MET just keep those things in mind when doing research (not saying one is better then the other and it clearly does not apply everywhere)

Taking the FE may fix that "gap" certain places, it wouldn't matter at my MegaCorp

 

[Engineer]

But, they know that if that put that one bolt buried under 6 panels, 4 brackets, 3 modules, and 2 wiring harnesses that it will keep the technician on his toes!

Your welcome for the job security :jump:....it happens way to often though

 

[trailbikerider]

I actually just completed my Bachelor's in Civil Engineering and graduated this past Saturday from Western Michigan University.

My only advice, and it's been said in this thread already, is to not kill yourself over your grades. Now I'm not saying to slack off, but if you get the occasional C or CB in your classes, don't worry. For the most part, employers could give a rat's ass less about what your GPA was, as long as you have that piece of paper.

Good luck in College!

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Your welcome for the job security :jump:....it happens way to often though

I was just commenting on something like this to a fellow technician the other day. Was regarding how they used studs on VVTi 4.7L to hold the air pump switching valves in place. It's idiotic because to get the switching valves off you either need to remove all the nuts and studs or the metal pipe itself from the cylinder head (difficult to do). Which makes changing the spark plugs take twice as long because of the switching valve removal (they are over a couple coil packs.

It makes no sense from an engineering/design standpoint as you could easily use 3 bolts and one or two indentations in the valve cover or switching valve casing to locate them on the engine accurately. I'm sure 2-3 bolts and a well placed indent is more efficient and cost effective than 3 nuts and 3 studs over the course of hundreds of thousands of engines.

It honestly looks as though the pumps were designed to be removed AFTER the piping to the exhaust was removed, which I suppose make sense if you designed the engine NOT accounting for the fact it'd be installed in a vehicle and always magically on an engine stand to be worked on.

 

[m4gery]

Regarding grades; It's mostly true, that once you get your foot in a door or a degree, that you can do most anything after a few years.

However, I have an Aerospace degree and wanted to work in the space/defense industry, or racecars. For space/defense, grades are absolutely a chokepoint, and it was almost impossible to get an interview without a 3.5+ GPA. For racecar industry, it's who you know, and in the case of F1, who you know + a masters in a lot of cases.

Currently working for FCA in Detroit area, which has turned out to be a pretty cool job, good pay, and being a calibration engineer, the perks are great!

 

[amalik]

Regarding grades; It's mostly true, that once you get your foot in a door or a degree, that you can do most anything after a few years.

However, I have an Aerospace degree and wanted to work in the space/defense industry, or racecars. For space/defense, grades are absolutely a chokepoint, and it was almost impossible to get an interview without a 3.5+ GPA. For racecar industry, it's who you know, and in the case of F1, who you know + a masters in a lot of cases.

Currently working for FCA in Detroit area, which has turned out to be a pretty cool job, good pay, and being a calibration engineer, the perks are great!

What's FCA?

 

[m4gery]

[MENTION=99383]amalik[/MENTION]

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, took me a while to get used to referring to them as FCA instead of just Chrysler haha.

 

[jbjones85]

BSME from UNCC (UNC Charlotte) one of the two known (semi) engineering schools in NC. Graduated back in 08. Here are my "early 30's" comments after doing a few different things.

1) Engineering in general gives you a well rounded skill set that is very employable in more than just a traditional engineering position (more on this later)
2) As mentioned enjoy college. IE have fun, but remember that the main goal is to get a good education and graduate with good grades. There is a balance and you will hopefully find that early on. I had many friends who partied a little too hard and ended up dropping out or their grades were so low that they barely graduated and had a hard time finding a decent job.
3) remember that graduating doesn't automatically mean a good job. There is a lot of competition out there so having a well rounded time in school is a plus when competing for jobs. Sometimes a 3.5 with a well rounded background is more employable than a 4.0 with nothing else. A lot of this depends on the type of job that you are looking for.
4) take advantage of any internship opportunities that are available during the semester and especially during summer break. Start as early as possible with this, it is good experience and also most pay decent which allows you to hopefully not graduate with a ton of debt (State school, worked part time during, graduated with no debt).


My background was in a manufacturing engineering position initially (full time position after two consecutive internships), I then moved into applications engineering with a high end sensor company where I am still at however I have switched rolls and am now a regional sales manager. for me personally this type of roll is the perfect blend. It allows me to work with people (mostly engineers) on a daily basis, see tons of new and cool stuff, and also work with our product and design engineers. The point of the last part of this post was just to give you an idea that you don't have to stick with a "true engineering" position if as you go through school and other positions you find something else that is of more interest and suits you better. Having the engineering background gives you a very diverse skill and knowledge set.

Best of Luck and Merry Christmas!!!

 

[HerT4R]

Read through the rest of the replies, all good but one word of advise which may only apply to my experience, but at my employer there is a vast difference between how the company views MET vs. ME's. One is a tech pay scale the other is a engineering pay scale. There are entry level jobs that they hire both MET's and ME's for (different pay....go figure, they are technically titled different but responsibilities are the same) the reality is that the MET's are stuck and the ME's move on to "bigger and better things". I was trained by an MET when I hired on, he regretted not having his ME as he had been with the company 13 years and had no room for growth because of it. From another's posts it sounds like other companies are different and prefer the MET just keep those things in mind when doing research (not saying one is better then the other and it clearly does not apply everywhere)

Taking the FE may fix that "gap" certain places, it wouldn't matter at my MegaCorp

that is the only downside to the MET (or MMET) degree. And i think its total bunk. but that's my opinion, and I have found, the opinion of the hiring managers and supervisors who have given METs a shot.

But yes, it is something to consider when applying for jobs. Also it helps on who you know, which is why college should be as much about networking as it is about schooling. Because many times if you have shown yourself as an asset and stacked up well against the MEs, then you will likely have no issue getting a job in an "ME" role. If they dont know you or what your major is about, then likely you wont get a call back. Routine is hard to shake. But you can do it. I currently have a job in an "ME" role and many think I have an ME degree, prove yourself and I think it proves your degree.

:hippie:

 

[wadle5]

Sounds like a simple choice....

Coming from a native Iowan..........do Iowa State over Iowa. Although smaller than Iowa it does have numerous opportunities and everyone that I know that has graduated from ISU and several that transferred from Iowa to there have said the ISU program was the better of the two.

 

[LookAtThatDog]

Coming from a native Iowan..........do Iowa State over Iowa. Although smaller than Iowa it does have numerous opportunities and everyone that I know that has graduated from ISU and several that transferred from Iowa to there have said the ISU program was the better of the two.

I'm sure the ISU engineering program is better, but I think as a whole Iowa is just so much better than Iowa state. I'm obviously biased, but Iowa city is a gem of the midwest. There's nothing that compares to Iowa football. Oh, and ISU girls are ugly. :reddance:

 

[wadle5]

I'm sure the ISU engineering program is better, but I think as a whole Iowa is just so much better than Iowa state. I'm obviously biased, but Iowa city is a gem of the midwest. There's nothing that compares to Iowa football. Oh, and ISU girls are ugly. :reddance:

Iowa City is mini Chicago read: a cluster F%# all hours of the day. As for the women I wouldn't know my wife didn't go to either?

EDIT:
And now seeing where you are from, it makes sense as to why you like Iowa City. Personally just not my type of thing. Glad you enjoyed it and all the women it had to offer though!

 

[mckennar]

Currently working for FCA in Detroit area, which has turned out to be a pretty cool job, good pay, and being a calibration engineer, the perks are great!

Do they give you any crap about driving a Toyota? I remember "back in the day" if you didn't drive company you'd get screwed on parking spots.

Source: When I interned at the Chrysler Transmission Plant (Plant II) in Kokomo, IN. We were told to either get a Chrysler, or to carpool with someone who had one, otherwise we'd either have to park in the boonies OR it would get towed to Indianapolis. Fortunately, I drove an Eagle Talon. Unfortunately, there were 6 of us. In an Eagle Talon. Driving from West Lafayette to Kokomo. And back.