Can I do more than work in a factory/be in a place where I have to wear a hard hat every day as a mechanical engineer? I know that I can but many people at my university think otherwise.

I am a 2nd-year mechanical engineering student. I wanted to major in engineering going to college because I love math and science. I love the courses I am taking and I am excelling in them but when people ask me what I am going to do with my degree, I am not sure what to say. I do not necessarily want to work in a factory or have to wear a hard hat every day but I love the courses I am taking in college. If I was not majoring in engineering, I am not sure what I would do.

I am not really sure what else I would do either. Should I try to consider a different major? and what should I be doing right now that will ensure me to not have to work in a factory?

Areas of Impact Education , Machines

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Sarah Iddles , SP Energy Networks

Answered Thursday, June 28, 2018 at 3:20 PM

Hi there!

I graduated with a Masters in Mechanical Engineering back in 2014 and it has by no means limited me to 'factory' or 'hard hat work', not that there is anything wrong with those, but they aren't for everyone!

I'm currently employed as a SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) Engineer for a major energy company in the UK. I work with the Control Systems on a daily basis, preparing RTU builds, protocols, investigating faults and using UNIX systems.

As you can see, it's completely different to Mechanical Engineering! At the end of the day, it's not about the title of your degree, it's more about they way you think as an Engineer which makes you so I valuable to so many different professions!

I hope this helps ❤️

Please feel free to get in touch if you have anymore questions :)

Sarah