Career Interview

November 25, 2015

Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical engineers affect our everyday life. From the downright bare
necessities such as drinking water from a simple faucet, to the equipment we use to carry
out our jobs, and even for recreational enjoyment such as rides at an amusement park,
there is a mechanical engineer in the design process. I used to think that mechanical
engineers only focused on building mechanical moving equipment, such as car engines.
Also, I used to think that mechanical engineers would spend all or most of their time in
an office environment in one of those fancy, state of the art high rise buildings. Or, that
they would design their work on computers and have little opportunity in using common
hand tools used in the construction or fabrication trades. However, as I gained an
understanding of what mechanical engineers do, I have realized that mechanical
engineering encompasses a broad range of fields in many different working
environments.
In fact, mechanical engineering is the broadest of all engineering fields. They use
mathematics, as well as the principles of science and understanding of material
composition to design and create equipment for industrial, recreational, or even
household use. So it is not uncommon for mechanical engineers to be involved in the
cooking industry, for example, developing state of the art gas cooking ranges, fancy
stainless steel double door refrigerators, and those nice barbecue grills for outdoor dining.
Therefore, a Bachelors of Science Degree is required to become a mechanical engineer.
In some cases, it is possible to become an engineer through a company grandfathered

program or internship arrangement based on years of experience. However, as noted in

the magazine Machine Design 2015 Salary Survey, jobs that dont require a BA/BS
degree in Engineering are becoming harder to find. As a result, 28% of engineers have a
Bachelors Degree, and 27% have a Masters Degree. Other education levels obtained by
engineers include Graduate Studies at 18%, 9% at the Doctoral Degree level, and 9% at
the Associates Degree level.
Mechanical engineering can be a very rewarding career for those who like to
create, design, build, and see the project from conception to completion. It also allows the
opportunity for the engineer to roll up his or her sleeves and get a little elbow grease. For
a project to be successful, it is vital that the mechanical engineer is also willing to be
down on the production or manufacturing floor making sure the components fit together
as designed, and that the machine operates as intended. Im a person who does not like to
stay in the office all day long; I need to be out there with tools in hand helping to get the
job done. I also enjoy being able to work with others that play a vital role in making the
project become successful. It is a team effort, and I enjoy working in teams.
I chose to go into mechanical engineering because of my interest in machinery
and automation. My father worked for the railroad industry for 37 years until he retired in
2007, so I was exposed to trains pretty much all my life. As a child, I was always
fascinated by how these large, moving pieces of equipment could be guided and directed
by two comparatively small pieces of rail. Every time I heard the train near our
neighborhood coming, I would run out and place pennies side by side on the rail and see
how squashed they looked after all the pressure from the weight of the train was applied.

So my curiosity about details such as these really got my interest going in mechanical
engineering.
Though Im not currently working for the railroad, in my current employment I do
deal with machinery and automation to help manufacture lenses for eyeglasses in both
prescription and leisure styles. For example, I work with robots that have the
responsibility of moving manufactured items from one station to the next for cleaning
purposes. In another instance, the robot moves the product through different processing
stages and at the end of it applies an anti scratch and antireflective coating on the lens.
These robots care for functions that would be so repetitive for humans to do, and which
would cause ergonomic issues for the operators. As some forms of industry can present
some dangerous work situations, more and more companies are looking to robotics as the
alternative to placing humans in harmful situations. This makes me feel that by being a
mechanical engineer, I have the opportunity to help people enjoy their jobs better,
become more efficient, and increase productivity.
Another reason I decided to major in Mechanical Engineering is because I love to
be able to think outside of the box to come up with solutions in a team environment to
challenging situations, and then be able to teach others what I have learned as well as be
taught. It is imperative that engineers work together to come up with solutions that
require multi disciplines to achieve the end result. Many of todays equipment are so
integrated with different controls, electrical, and chemical specifications, that good
communication is essential to working with engineers in other specialties. Like doctors
who at times have to refer their patients to other specialists, engineers as well have to
sometimes refer to other engineers who are more specialized or experienced in other

forms of engineering. This can also present the opportunity for me to expand and branch
out to practice other forms of engineering.
For example, in an interview with Marc Struthers, who currently works for AAP
Automation and graduated as a Mechanical and Aerospace Engineer from Utah State
University, says he finds himself doing more electrical engineering than mechanical
engineering. The degree doesnt give you the experience says Struthers, its the hands
on equation and exposure to materials that does. As part of the good communication
needed to work in a team environment, mechanical engineers also have the responsibility
to implement trouble shooting techniques and create a maintenance plan for technicians
who will be working on them as well. When asked how he used writing in his day to day
life, Struthers said he has had to create manuals, write algorithms, and write calibration
reports. I like to take the third person approach; I need to put myself in the position of
the person reading the manual to make sure it makes sense.
The job outlook for mechanical engineers is another reason I felt it would be a
good fit for me. In my area of residency, the industries we have include oil, gas,
aerospace, mining, and energy. Manufacturing as well has had a strong influence. Since
these different types of industries are related to sciences that I find interesting, I feel that
anyone of these would be one I could easily enjoy doing. They also present challenges
that need to be addressed for reasons of safeguarding our environmental quality,
minimizing costs, and improving safety. As a result, compensation can be very attractive.
According to Machine Design, just over 43 percent of engineers made $60,000$99,000 per year, and just over 20 percent earned anywhere from $100,000-$125,000 per
year. Though salary alone is not the only consideration, many engineers also look at

benefits packages to compensate for rising costs of health care insurance, such as
healthcare or flex spending accounts, and matching 401ks for retirement. In my current
employment for example, the company will match up to 6% of the employees 401k
contribution. Also, a healthcare savings account is offered to its employees with a tax free
contribution each pay period up to an annual maximum of $3,350.00 for individual
coverage, or $6,650.00 for family. In the Machine Design survey report, other benefits
included an average cash bonus of $3,951.00, and company stock options at $2,336.00.
Other forms of benefits compensation averaged $2,491.00. For me, it was also important
that I looked into the cost of education for becoming a mechanical engineer to ensure the
payback was there and that I wouldnt be chained down to a school loan.
After thinking about what I have been going through at my current employment
and the experience I have already received, I feel that being a mechanical engineer is the
career that would suit me the most. Its something I am already being exposed to, and the
opportunities I have to work with mechanical engineers reinforce my decision. I really
appreciated what Marc Struthers said during the interview when I asked him what was it
that kept him motivated to continue working as mechanical engineer: Being able to
provide for my family in an honorable way and the feeling that Im contributing to
society. I believe that for me, its being able to help people see better through the use of
prescription glasses, and being able to help children in other countries where resources
are scarce, and the opportunity I have to make eyeglasses available to them to help them
see better and make their life more meaningful. I look forward to the challenges and the
rewards of going through schooling, and in the end getting my Bachelors Degree in
Mechanical Engineering from the University of Utah.

Works Cited
Struthers, Marc. Personal interview. 6 Nov. 2015.
2015 Machine Design Salary Survey. Machine Design 89.10 (Oct.2015): 26-35. Print

List of questions asked during interview with Marc Struthers on 11/06/15

1. At what point in your life did you decide to become a mechanical engineer?
2. What inspires you to continue in your career?
3. Do you see mechanical engineering changing in the next few years?
4. What challenges do mechanical engineers typically encounter?
5. How often do mechanical engineers interact with other engineers?
6. Has it turned out to be how you imagined it?
7. How can engineering lead to other careers?
8. Which industries tend to employ most mechanical engineers?
9. How can a person prepare for a career in mechanical engineering?
10. How do you use writing in your day to day life?