Do engineers work with their hands a lot? 2

[manicmonkie]

Hi, I am currently thinking about starting an engineering degree in the fall. I was wondering if mechanical or electrical engineers get to work with their hands a lot or if they do more computational kinds of work. Please let me know. Thanks.

 

[65Roses]

There are two educational routes that can be taken.

If you want a hands on practical application approach then a BSMET (BS Mechanical Engineering Technology)will better prepare you for a hands on job.

If you want to perform theoretical/computational type of work then a BSME (BS Mechanical Engineering) will better prepare you for that type of work.

Most (not all) employers will hire graduates of both degrees but the BSMET does come with some limitations. Some employers will not hire a BSMET at all and not all states will allow Engineering Technology graduates the opportunity to become Professional Engineers (PE). Some even consider Engineering Technologists (BSMET) to be nothing more than a glorified technician. I'll assume now that statement will set off a war of words between those who agree or disagree with that statement.

Probably the best route to take would be to obtain a BSME due to the fact that it gives you more options. You can always seek a hands on job if you want but if will take a little longer to adjust to than a BSMET grad.

If a quality Engineering Technology program (BSMET)is the only school near by and you don't want to relocate then you might want to take your chances with it. All BSMET programs are NOT EQUAL. Some are very watered down programs of a BSME and a few can rival a BSME but will never take the place of a BSME.

In my opinion a company who employees engineers of both degree types will have better success than one who only employs one or the other.

Check this out for a better comparison.

http://www.asme.org/students/whichpath.html

 

[Warpspeed]

It depends....

Many engineers just see a degree as a meal ticket for a career up the management ladder. Meetings, planning, and paper shuffling being the main activities. That is certainly the route to power and riches, if not happiness.

On the other hand, R&D or maintenance requires literally hands on knowledge that can only be gained the hard way. Real engineering. There is something deeply satisfying about seeing something created with your own hands succeed both technically and commercially.

The man that can earn a reasonable living doing what he would do anyway if he had unlimited free time, can lead a happy productive and fairly stress free life.

 

[btrueblood]

I've done R&D of both the dirty-hands and the theoretical/computational variety for 17+ years now, on everything from rockets to cappucino machines.

Agree with the previous poster: the smaller the company, the more likely you will get to (or "have to" if that's your way of looking at it) get your hands dirty.

I love R&D, love development, but low stress? Yeesh. At least I can occasionally take a 5-lb. sledge to something to relieve that stress, but the stress creating elements are still here...

 

[GregLocock]

I should add that when I actually get to drive the first prototype of a design that I've been designing for a year, that beats all the attaboys I'll ever get.



Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[manicmonkie]

Thank you all for your replies. I have no desire to become rich; all I need is enough money to afford the basics. I am just trying to find a career that will be satisfying to me. I think engineering is a good field to go into because that is the sort of thing my brain is good at. I was in the army and we learned basic electronics and I was the top of my class and it came easily to me. So, now at this point I am basically going to try and figure out whether I want to go into electrical engineering or mechanical. You guys are a real big help. Thanks again.

 

[Warpspeed]

Mechanical or electrical, interesting choice.

The hands on part of it, and the reality of the working environment may be very different. Mechanical may involve oil and grease and more hard physical work involving skinned knuckles and high ambient noise levels.

Electrical may possibly be more in a heated or air-conditioned laboratory, or a bench type situation surrounded by nice clean quiet test equipment.

Later in life, being able to work in reasonable physical comfort may be an issue.

 

[JStephen]

I forgot about one form of Hands-On. There is a Dilbert book called "Still Pumped From Using The Mouse". So, yes, I'm a hands-on engineer; hands on the keyboard, hands on the mouse, etc.

 

[karenc]

That's the great thing about Mechanical Engineering is that there is such a wide range of choices to suit all tastes. I have worked either as a Plant Maintenance Engineer or a Site Construction Engineer for most of my working life and I loved being on site, got my hands extremely dirty, had great experiences all over the world, sorry didn't really make any fortune but pretty comfortable. Best things about being a Plant Engineer is that if you're good and you can prove yourself the technicians will respect you and want your advise. The best time I had was being called in at 2 am in the morning because no one else could solve a problem when the plant had shut down! Now I am working as an estimator for a major high tech company that designs and builds new process plants and I guess I really got the job because of my hands on experience.

I love my new career and being in an office and travelling around the world meeting clients can be great, but I still miss being on site all the time. But age does catch up eventually!!

 

[monkeydog]

manicmonkie,
There are Electro-Mechanical engineers out there, from what I have observed they are very good at that, but very limited in their opportunities. If you may want to look into the hydraulics world. Still mechanical, but you end up using laws and such that are similar to electrical.

 

[zeusfaber]

If forced to choose between engineering courses again, I think I'd do again what I did first time round - go with the one I thought I'd enjoy more and be better at, then choose an employer who has good jobs going in both fields, and an open mind about moving people between them.

I reckon the emportant thing an engineering training/education is going to give you is the ability to think like an engineer. Once you've learnt to do that, you can get pretty much everything else you need to swing disciplines from a good text book.

A.

 

[rhodie]

The best and most respected engineers get their hands dirty.


Which reminds me of an old joke:
When working as a plumber, remember two things.
1. Sewage flows downhill.
2. Do not bite your nails.

 

[ornerynorsk]

Do you mean such as using hand gestures when talking and explaining their point? Hahahaha, couldn't resist!