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Mechanical Engineering Overview - The Field - Preparation -
Day in the Life
- Earnings - Employment - Development - Career Path Forecast - Professional Organizations 


Mechanical engineering is one of the largest, broadest, and oldest engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers use the principles of energy, materials, and mechanics to design and manufacture machines and devices of all types. They create the processes and systems that drive technology and industry.

The key characteristics of the profession are its breadth, flexibility, and individuality. The career paths of mechanical engineers are largely determined by individual choices, a decided advantage in a changing world. 

Mechanics, energy and heat, mathematics, engineering sciences, design and manufacturing form the foundation of mechanical engineering. Mechanics includes fluids, ranging from still water to hypersonic gases flowing around a space vehicle; it involves the motion of anything from a particle to a machine or complex structure.

Mechanical engineers research, design, develop, manufacture, and test tools, engines, machines, and other mechanical devices. Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines. Engineers in this discipline work on power-producing machines such as electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines. They also work on power-using machines such as refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, machine tools, material-handling systems, elevators and escalators, industrial production equipment, and robots used in manufacturing. Some mechanical engineers design tools that other engineers need for their work. In addition, mechanical engineers work in manufacturing or agriculture production, maintenance, or technical sales; many become administrators or managers.

Mechanical Engineering Resources

Online

Overview:
Overview of Mechanical Engineering
The Field:
Mechanical Engineering Areas of Involvement
Preparation:
Choosing a Major, Scholarships,  Accredited Programs
Day in the Life:
Teams and Coworkers, Tasks, Workplace, Challenges, Global Engineering, Diversity
Earnings:
Employer Options, Salary Ranges, Types of Employers
Employment:
Statistics, Industries, Employers
Professional Development:
Managing Your Career, Lifelong Learning, Graduate Studies, P.E. License
Career Path Forecast:
Predictions
Professional Organizations:
Resources, Networking, Support
Internet Resources:
ASME
ASME Student Center

ASME Young Engineers
ASME Professional Practice Curriculum

Note: Some resources in this section are provided by ASME and the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
 


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