It's estimated that over 20,000 new Mechanical engineering jobs open up in the US every year. If you're trying to get into this field, it can be overwhelming to figure out what you need to do and what your job will look like. But the career can be quite rewarding and worth the effort!

So what does a Mechanical Engineering career look like? How do you get into the field? Read on for everything you need to know!

How to Start a Mechanical Engineering Career

The first step to learning how to become a mechanical engineer is almost always getting a bachelor's degree in engineering. While some people will get a master's degree in mechanical engineering before starting a career, most people will go into the field right after they get their bachelor's. Even if you're good with mechanical work and have a lot of skills, most places want someone who has a formalized degree.

However, a degree on its own isn't always enough to get you a job! You need to practice other skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.

Employers are looking for well-rounded workers who not only have a degree, but also have technical, software, mathematical, and communication skills. If you can show that you're teachable, able to work well with others, and have the skills for the job, you'll have a much better chance of getting your foot in the door.

Where Are the Jobs?

Mechanical engineers can be found in a wide range of sectors and industries. There is no single mechanical engineer career path, so you have lots of options ahead of you!

Many engineers go into the field of engineering services. These are usually large engineering consulting companies that work for construction companies, governments, and other industries. Entry-level engineers who join these engineering service positions will often work with a team of other engineers to design and work on various contract projects.

You can also get an entry-level job with manufacturing and machinery companies. Many assembly and manufacturing plants need mechanical engineers to help design and build their products, and they're always looking for new recruits to help with testing and manufacturing.

There are also a lot of specialized fields that need mechanical engineers, such as aerospace, electronics manufacturing, or even research and development for various niche companies! Lots of industries need engineers, so there's almost always a place somewhere for someone with a degree and the skills to back it up.

What Should You Expect When You Start?

Your mechanical engineer job description will depend heavily on the field or company you start with. However, there are a few things you should expect when you start out as a new engineer.

First of all, you're probably not running the show or calling the shots! While you likely have a degree and a lot of skills, so does almost everyone else you're working with. 

Oftentimes, a company will start you off by having you undergo more training. This will cover the company's own methods, programs, and software, bringing you up to speed on the way they like to handle things.

Once you get some of these specific skills under your belt, you'll likely start working with a team. What the team does will depend heavily on the field you're working in. You may be helping design and test a new product like a push back rack, or you might be learning to manufacture and assemble parts in a factory.

Whatever your specific job will look like, it's important to keep learning and have fun with it! You want to learn how to succeed at your job, but also learn the skills necessary to keep advancing in your career down the road.

Learn More About Mechanical Engineering!

Getting a mechanical engineering career can be a rewarding and exciting experience, but it takes a lot of hard work! There are so many skills and techniques to learn, most people spend a lifetime practicing and mastering their skills.

If you'd like to learn more tricks of the mechanical engineering trade, feel free to check out the rest of our blog! We have plenty of great articles on a wide range of engineering topics to keep you informed and up to date on the latest engineering developments.