Mechanical Engineering Extends Beyond Cars
Mechanics deal with all forms of machinery and vehicle. Could your future career lie in repairing engines great and small?
The world of mechanical engineering is vast and diverse. However, cars are not the only vehicle that benefits from this skillset. We looked at how a mechanic can turn their skills towards other vehicles, as well as towards automobiles. Could a career as a mechanic be your dream job? Let’s find out.
What Is Mechanical Engineering?
We all love our mechanic. It is a truly emotional bond between you and the person who can fix your vehicle reliably. We need our mechanics to be fast, resourceful, and find us cheap parts when they can. We need them to help us when we are at a loss. However, mechanics don’t just fix cars.
The role of mechanical engineer covers all manner of engine and parts based pursuits. A mechanical engineer might work in a factory, restoring the robotic arms that run the production line. They could fix the assets that produce new materials, repair white goods, or build new parts that work better than the old ones. There are all manner of things you can do in mechanics once you have the qualification. An undergraduate degree in mechanics or in engineering could set you up with a steady salary for life.
Types of Mechanical Engineering outside of Garages
Interested in performing side jobs as a mechanical engineer that don’t involve car engines? Here are some other things you could fix.
Boats and Yachts
Marine engineering is special. You have to perform the same tasks as a mechanic above ground, but underwater. Marine engineering isn’t just about fixing the boats and yachts, it’s about building the harbours and marinas that keep them safe at night. Searching for marine engineer jobs? You could end up building an oil rig or animal conservation centres in the ocean.
Crash Testing
Who do you think it is that oversees the life of the crash test dummy? Mechanical engineers build things, then they smash them apart to see how safe they were. Crash testing could earn you a sizeable income as a mechanical engineer. You will need extra electronics qualifications for most new cars and products.
Product Development
Just as you smash things apart, you work on designing and building them. Mechanical items need mechanics to design them. Once the product is designed, manufacturers will expect the engineer to streamline it, to make it smaller, faster to produce, and use less waste to make. Product development in mechanical engineering tends to be on a consultation or full time basis.
Aerospace Technology
It is mechanical engineers who build both spacecraft and aeroplanes. The world of mechanics extends to include every piece of machinery that we use – from our iPads to our planes. Aerospace engineers have a background in mechanics but do require science and electronics as standard. If something goes wrong in the air, the crash testing is far more difficult to control.
As you can see, the world of mechanics extends beyond repairing car engines. Are you ready to start fixing rockets? A little studying today could make that dream into reality.