I am goining to PSU (Penn State) for Mechanical Engineering Technology, I have job shadowed 3 engineers for my graduation project in high school. All they do is sit at a desk and do designs (Atleast the ones I job shadowed). I personally would kill myself. Im sure there are some engineers who do more hands on. But as a technologist it is mostly hands on and for me that would be alot better thats why i picked technology over just regular engineering.

Yeah, A desk job would suck. I want to be out there getting my hands dirty doing something thats actually satisfying.

-Dallas J

Hey Everybody,

I am going to school now to get my BS in Mechanical Engineering. Right now i am at a community college, and plan on transferring to a 4 year university. However, I just start this semester at the community college and math wise i am like 3 maths back from where I am supposed to be. I am looking into Mechanical Engineering Technology. There is fewer maths and from what I understand it's a more hands on approach. But I am wondering will that still be as good or creditable to an employer that I just went for that? Math is kind of a weak subject for me, but I am working on it hard, but it's just will it be worth it in the longer run? Pay wise I don’t really know the exact difference but I do know that Mechanical Engineers get paid more that MET. I am ultimately tring to get into the automotive field.I am just trying to figure out what should I do. Thanks a lot guys.

I to am going for a bs in ME at Milwaukee school of Engineering. All I can say is Engineering is a lot of math. Everything from statics to dynamics to thermal to fluids. You are correct in saying that they will get paid less. Also if you are intrested there is a final PE exam for Mechanical engineers that gives a professional engineering license. This def looks good on the rez. Good Luck

I'm a ME major at Miami University (Ohio) and I would go with ME. I'm not great at math either, but I'm not horrible at it. Just have to work a bit harder on it. Your call though.

yeah,true i think i am just going to stick with it because this is what i ultimately want to do. It's good to hear that i am not the only one struggling in math ,thanks

Go for the ME, it will be worth it in the long run. My math skills were not the greatest when I started, failed a lot of classes (not just math), but when I applied myself and studied my @ss off, I started to understand the math and it became easier. It took me 7 years to get my EE degree but now I work for a company that designs, builds, tests and launches commercial and military rockets...I'm now a rocket scientist.

It's going to be a tough couple years (hopefully just 4) but you'll thank yourself when it's over and you start making the big bucks.

DaveT
92GSX

I am an Aerospace Engineer, and I would recommend that you ask yourself what exactly you want to do when you get a job. There is a big difference in what your duties will be, if you choose Engineering Technology vs. Engineering. A full engineer will be the one working on design, and managing projects, and managing Engineering technicians, etc. An Engineering technician is the one the that Engineer gives all of the busy work too. For example, an Engineer designs a test method to prove his new part design, then gives the test method to the Engineering Technician for him to perform the test. Then he gives the test data back to the Engineer for evaluation. The Engineering technician is pretty much removed from the innovation, design, and decision making regarding new products. This is how I have seen it happen.
I prefer being a full engineer, not a technician. But of course, you need to decide which one you like the best

You hit the nail right on the head. Well said.

DaveT
92GSX

I suck at math too, this is my third year for mechanical engineering -automotive product design. The math just keeps getting harder and it doesnt stop. I hate it more then anything, but Im sticking with it because it should be worth it at the end. SO if you are willing to study hard and study alot then go for it.

I'm about to graduate next quarter with a BS in ME, let me just tell you that the math isn't as bad as a diff eq or 3d calculus class. Most of the stuff is simplified, ie basic integrals and derivatives. There are 2nd order diff eqs in a vibrations class for example, but that's usually simplified as well. If you run into anything crazy (mathwise) use your trusty TI-89 or Matlab. Even the professor uses Matlab to solve problems. Anyways, I say stick with ME especially if you want to get into design.

BTW if you don't have a TI-89 yet, get one now.... it will be your good friend trust me

yeah i have a ti-92 right now , I think i am just going to stick it out with ME,now i have to decide if i am going to get my AS from the community college i go to or just transfer after next semester to etheir vcu,va tech,or odu.

I graduated last December with a BS in ME from Cal, and I'm a Process Engineer right now for a big pharmaceutical. Don't do the technician stuff. Be on the forefront of innovation and the leading edge of your technology by being an ME. MEs are generally regarded as "do-it-all" engineers - my work is a mix of all different kinds of stuff (design, process optimization, experiments, etc.) and I love it. Being an ME is a good way to not get pigeonholed... unless you get really good at Pro/E and get stuck being a glorified drafter... haha.

And if you want to get into automotive, JOIN an FSAE TEAM! I cannot stress this enough. One of my good friends from Berkeley is working as a design engineer for Garrett now... designing turbos for high-end racecars.

I have already planned this as my major, and I will probably be going to UW-Madison next year. Everyone I talk to says you can do anything with an ME degree. I eventually hope to be working on powertrain development for cars and things like that.

Im looking for a little advice from some engineers on the forum.

Ive been to WyoTech for a degree in Chassis Fab/High Performance Engines with side of Applied Service Management (business degree) and that isnt enough for me.

Im much more into professional racing than just workin on a Dodge minivan or Ford Taurus all day. I love fabricating parts and designing parts to work to any part of a performance advantage.

Basically, Im wanting to pursue an automotive engineering degree to jump on a the FSAE team and onward to a race team for a career. Ive been looking at CSU in Colorado but Im not sure if thats what Im looking for. They want me to do 3 years of Mechanical Engineering then 1 year specializing in auto.

Is this how all universities are? Im 23 and I guess Im not use to the college scene after WyoTech and being in Iraq. Im pretty blunt and dont want to go through any bullshit I dont have to. I guess Im wondering if all 4 yrs are like this for auto engineering?

Sorry if this is ignorant, Im not accustomed to 4 yr colleges and how they run

Well, I am going to be going for Mechanical Engineering. I plan to work for R&D at a car company. The best way to get a job is to have connections... Thank god for my father.


EDIT: And if you want to work at a top company, a 4 year or even a masters will give you a better chance. I want to go 8 and get a Ph.D.

Same here, I'm majoring in Mechanical Engineering, and we have a FSAE team here too, so I plan to get more involved with that. I'm not sure where I'm going with it yet, but it will definitely be automotive related and hopefully in racing.

Have you checked out UTI yet? I know some people on here went there.

I'm a ME and in my senior year at Penn State, they have some pretty cool courses pertaining to ICEs'. They also have a mini F1 care that is completly made or Titanium and Carbon Fibre

alex99gst said:

Have you checked out UTI yet? I know some people on here went there.

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Been to WyoTech, even better. ha, no offense to UTI, the schools just have this thing of "whos better".

Appreciate the responses.

I know its cliche, but I eat, breathe, and sleep automotive. If Im not focused on some military thing I have going on, my mind is goin in a millions ways thinking about something that has to do with a car.
As cool as it is, I dont think I could stand 3 years of "Mechanical Engineering" if they didnt refer to something that pertains to a car on every formula and every experiment, my ADD would get the best of me and I would be bored. Thats why I loved Tech, every day.... 10 hours of cars, then 10 hours of welding/fabricating in Chassis Fab. I loved it. This university stuff may drive me nuts.

So isnt there a 4 year AUTO engineering? Or is it all Mechanical Engineering with a side dose of Auto?

I have a BSEE, and work as an operations engineer in the power industry.

I love it.

ME/AE UCDavis as of F09.

Scrymerr said:

ME/AE UCDavis as of F09.

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Ok, so what does your 4 year class schedule look like? Is there actully a lot of automotive based classes or does it focus more on mechanical engineering with just a little dose of automotive towards your senior year?

absolute_DSM said:

Ok, so what does your 4 year class schedule look like? Is there actully a lot of automotive based classes or does it focus more on mechanical engineering with just a little dose of automotive towards your senior year?

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It is mostly mechanical engineering stuff, with some aeronautical stuff as well. If I were you, I would look into mechanical engineering. All of the things that you will learn will be applicable in the automotive world. If you want a degree in automotive engineering, go to Michigan.

It will actually take more than four years for me to get through school, but here is what my schedule roughly looks like:

The first two years are be math, physics, chemistry, some GE classes, and beginning engineering classes: statics, circuits, materials etc. The second two/three years are upper division engineering courses: thermodynamics, aerodynamics, aerospace structures and a whole lote more, but you get the idea. None of the classes I am taking or will be taking are automotive.

Ah, very good information Dan.

The schedule you describe is exactly what I was looking at for Mech Engineering. Seems like a pretty solid schedule.

Michigan is exactly what I am talking about/looking for. Too bad the unit Im about to transfer to is in Colorado because I planned on being out there for CSU and Mechanical/Auto Engineering. You wouldnt happen to know of any other schools that offer a straight Automotive Engineering schedule like Michigan? I cant seem to find any.