What can you do with a Mechanical Engineering degree?

First, some facts. Of the Mechanical Engineering graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:

These are estimates based on AI analysis of 7125 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 78%, Mechanical Engineering graduates have a much higher likelihood (+11%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

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Also, after graduating, only 32% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Mechanical Engineering graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

• What jobs can you get with a Mechanical Engineering degree?
• What do Mechanical Engineering graduates do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a Mechanical Engineering degree? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a Mechanical Engineering degree?
• What are the best colleges for Mechanical Engineering?

View a random Mechanical Engineering graduate and our analysis:

Relevance score: 97% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree. DEGREE INFO Graduated in 2011 from Shanghai Jiao Tong University with a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION Product Design Intern FAW-Volkswagen May 2011 - Aug 2011 The Product Design Intern position does not significantly utilize mechanical engineering knowledge or skills, focusing instead on general design principles and internships rather than engineering specifics. CAE Engineer (Associate) MSC Software May 2013 - Jul 2014 As a CAE Engineer (Associate) at MSC Software, the job directly applies mechanical engineering principles and analysis techniques learned in the Bachelor's degree on a daily basis. CAE Durability Engineer Ford Motor Company Sep 2014 - Nov 2015 The role of CAE Durability Engineer at Ford Motor Company requires the application of mechanical engineering knowledge and methods, aligning closely with the skills and knowledge from the Bachelor's degree. CAE Engineer Bosch North America Nov 2015 - Nov 2016 Working as a CAE Engineer at Bosch North America involves using core mechanical engineering concepts and tools, directly relevant to the Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. CAE Integration/Methodology Engineer Ford Motor Company Nov 2016 - Present The position of CAE Integration/Methodology Engineer at Ford Motor Company necessitates the application of mechanical engineering techniques and methodologies learned during the Bachelor's program, making it highly relevant. FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING Master's Degree Syracuse University 2011 - 2013 ABOUT Professional CAE Engineer with hands-on experience of HyperMesh, ABAQUS, LS-Dyna, Nastran, FEMFAT, etc.Strong background in Automobile industry with Ford, Bosch and Volkswagen experienceExcellent teamwork with Design & Release, Control, Test and Manufacturing departmentWell-trained CAD skills with 5+ years use of different CAD software, like UGNX, CATIA, Creo, etc.Other skills in CFD, LABVIEW, Programming (Python, C), MATLAB Simulink, 6-Sigma and BOM

What jobs can you get with a Mechanical Engineering degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:

• Mechanical Engineer
• Project Engineer
• Design Engineer
• Manufacturing Engineer
• Graduate Research Assistant
• Mechanical Design Engineer
• Research Assistant
• Project Manager
• Engineer
• Mechanical Engineering Intern

Analyzing the LinkedIn profiles of individuals who have graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering reveals a diverse array of job roles they have taken on since completing their studies. While many positions are directly related to mechanical engineering, such as mechanical engineers, design engineers, and project engineers, there is also a noticeable presence of roles that are either indirectly connected or entirely unrelated to the core competencies learned during their degree program.

The most common types of jobs held by these graduates broadly fall into categories such as design engineering, project management, and quality assurance roles. Positions like mechanical engineer, design engineer, and manufacturing engineer are prevalent, highlighting the direct application of mechanical engineering principles in industries ranging from automotive to aerospace and manufacturing. These roles often involve problem-solving, design, analysis, and project management tasks related to mechanical systems. For example, the positions at companies like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and various automotive firms emphasize the ongoing relevance of their education in real-world applications.

However, there are also profiles that illustrate a shift away from traditional engineering roles. Positions such as project managers, sales engineers, and consultants, while they may require some engineering knowledge, lean more towards management, sales, and business development. These roles may utilize analytical and problem-solving skills rooted in the engineering discipline, but do not necessarily engage with mechanical engineering principles on a substantial basis. Graduates have transitioned into various sectors, including project management in construction, business analysis, and sales, which often leads to diminishing relevance to the specific core qualifications of mechanical engineering.

Overall, while many jobs directly connected to mechanical engineering exist, a significant number of graduates have found roles that, although they may benefit from their engineering background, do not require the application of specific mechanical engineering skills on a daily basis. This reflects not only the versatility of a mechanical engineering degree but also the diverse career paths available to graduates in the broader job market. It’s a mixed bag, showcasing both strong utilization of mechanical skills in engineering roles and a broader application of skills in non-engineering positions.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Mechanical Engineering graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Mechanical Engineering graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Analyzing the career trajectories of mechanical engineering graduates from a wide range of universities reveals some interesting patterns and trends. For many of these graduates, the first significant role after completing their degree often involves entry-level positions as mechanical engineers, design engineers, or project engineers. This initial step is crucial as it generally solidifies their foundation in the field of mechanical engineering and allows them to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world environments. Most of the early job roles lead into sectors like aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing, which are quite relevant to their academic background in mechanical engineering.

As we look into the longer-term career paths—like five or ten years post-graduation—the picture varies greatly. Many individuals continue to climb the corporate ladder, securing roles with titles such as senior engineer, engineering manager, or project lead positions. Some even move into specialized positions such as research and development engineers or product managers, indicating a shift towards higher responsibility and complex problem-solving tasks relative to their initial roles. However, not all graduates exhibit this upward trajectory in technical fields related to mechanical engineering. A notable number have veered off into less relevant roles or different industries entirely, such as operations management or sales, potentially due to market demands, personal interests, or even economic factors affecting job availability. This variation signals that while a degree in mechanical engineering opens many doors, individual trajectories may diverge depending on personal choices and external circumstances.

To sum it all up, mechanical engineering graduates often start strong with technical roles in relevant industries, but the level of success after a few years can swing dramatically. Many find successful careers deeply rooted in engineering, while others shift to different fields or take on roles that may not fully utilize their engineering skills. Overall, while the outlook for these graduates is generally positive, individual experiences can vary significantly, highlighting the importance of adaptability in today's job market.

How hard is a Mechanical Engineering degree?

Honestly, a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering can be pretty tough, definitely on the harder side compared to many other degrees. You'll dive into complex subjects like thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and materials science, which require a solid grasp of math and physics. The coursework can be demanding, often involving lots of problem-solving and hands-on projects that can eat up your time. Plus, teamwork is a big part of the curriculum, so you'll need to balance that with your individual studies. It’s not impossible, but if you're up for a challenge and really enjoy understanding how things work, it can be a rewarding experience!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Do Mechanical Engineering graduates tend to make good money?

Based on the profiles you've shared, it looks like a good number of these mechanical engineering graduates are doing relatively well in their careers, especially those who graduated from reputable institutions and landed positions in high-profile companies like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman. Many of these roles typically pay well, especially when you consider that engineering positions often start at competitive salaries and have significant growth potential. For example, jobs like Project Engineer, Engineering Manager, or Senior Engineer can command impressive salaries, particularly with a few years of experience under their belts. Additionally, positions at government defense contractors or tech giants often come with attractive benefits and career progression opportunities.

However, not every profile tells the same story. Some graduates seem to have taken longer to land stable engineering roles, with some even moving through various internships or unrelated jobs before finding their footing. This could suggest a potential struggle early on, likely due to market conditions or personal circumstances. Overall, while many from this list are on solid financial paths, there are also evident challenges for some graduates who may still be seeking their ideal positions or navigating among different roles post-graduation. It's a mixed bag, but the trend leans positively towards good earning potential for most in the field.

What buzzwords do Mechanical Engineering graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Mechanical Engineering?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering (ordered by the average relevance score of their Mechanical Engineering graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College	Score	Count
North Dakota State University	95	20
University of Tennessee, Knoxville	94	12
University of Michigan-Dearborn	94	11
University of Minnesota	93	14
University of Illinois at Chicago	93	13
Binghamton University	93	14
University of Minnesota Duluth	93	15
Oregon Institute of Technology	93	12
Minnesota State University, Mankato	92	10
Wright State University	92	15
University of Delaware	91	24
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities	91	23
University of Massachusetts Lowell	91	30
University of Maryland Baltimore County	91	19
University of Wisconsin-Platteville	91	23
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville	91	11
Kettering University	91	27
The University of Alabama	90	37
University at Buffalo	90	19
University of Colorado Denver	90	12
University of North Dakota	90	10
University of North Florida	89	14
Washington University in St. Louis	89	15
University of Oklahoma	88	19
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University	88	29
Lamar University	88	18
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology	88	24
Iowa State University	87	65
Portland State University	87	16
UC Irvine	87	16
Oakland University	87	24
Worcester Polytechnic Institute	87	42
Texas A&M University-Kingsville	87	11
Florida International University	86	17
University of Wisconsin-Madison	86	31
San Jose State University	86	23
Temple University	86	19
Brigham Young University - Idaho	86	19
Northern Arizona University	86	20
University of Kentucky	86	24
Ferris State University	86	11
University of South Carolina-Columbia	86	13
Wentworth Institute of Technology	86	18
University of Tehran	86	10
University of Arizona	85	19
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo	85	51
California State University-Sacramento	85	22
Kansas State University	85	34
Baylor University	85	22
University of Nevada, Reno	85	16
Villanova University	85	18
Michigan Technological University	85	51
University of New Orleans	85	14
Shanghai Jiao Tong University	85	10
Brigham Young University	84	40
San Diego State University	84	22
Washington State University	84	43
University of Utah	84	23
University of South Carolina	84	14
California State University, Long Beach	84	15
University of Massachusetts Amherst	84	13
University of Louisville	84	19
Utah State University	84	26
Montana State University-Bozeman	84	41
University of California, Los Angeles	83	20
Auburn University	83	26
Oregon State University	83	46
University of Pittsburgh	83	33
Northeastern University	83	43
Boise State University	83	18
The University of Kansas	83	10
University of Alabama	83	15
The University of Akron	83	36
Indiana UniversityPurdue University Indianapolis	83	12
University of Idaho	83	15
University of South Alabama	83	13
University of Toledo	83	27
Missouri University of Science and Technology	83	30
University of Portland	83	19
Clarkson University	83	33
University of Michigan College of Engineering	83	10
Penn State University	82	87
University of Florida	82	53
Michigan State University	82	42
Purdue University	82	91
North Carolina State University	82	44
Louisiana State University	82	24
University of California, Riverside	82	20
Drexel University	82	38
University of Dayton	82	36
Florida Institute of Technology	82	10
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology	82	10
Arizona State University	81	38
University of Washington	81	24
University of Houston	81	46
Colorado State University	81	27
Texas Tech University	81	50
University of Cincinnati	81	23
California State University, Fullerton	81	19
University of North Carolina at Charlotte	81	30
University of Maryland	81	27
Old Dominion University	81	30
Rowan University	81	14
Rutgers University	81	12
San Diego State University-California State University	81	10
University of Louisiana at Lafayette	81	32
University of Maine	81	19
Lehigh University	81	17
Purdue University Northwest	81	13
University of Central Florida	80	72
University of South Florida	80	27
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona	80	49
The University of Texas at San Antonio	80	29
The University of Texas at Arlington	80	23
West Virginia University	80	20
University of Arkansas	80	20
Georgia Southern University	80	20
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga	80	13
University of California, Merced	80	21
Arkansas Tech University	80	10
The Ohio State University	79	48
University of Missouri-Columbia	79	24
Clemson University	79	35
California State University-Long Beach	79	18
Georgia Institute of Technology	79	88
The University of Texas at Dallas	79	31
University of Maryland College Park	79	20
Mississippi State University	79	35
Cornell University	79	21
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee	79	20
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale	79	12
Rochester Institute of Technology	79	42
California State University, Chico	79	10
Tennessee Technological University	79	13
Louisiana Tech University	79	13
Colorado School of Mines	79	53
Bucknell University	79	12
Valparaiso University	79	13
Lafayette College	79	14
University of California, Davis	78	32
University of Michigan	78	37
University of Colorado Boulder	78	42
Oklahoma State University	78	39
Miami University	78	14
Kennesaw State University	78	15
University of Rhode Island	78	12
The University of Texas at El Paso	78	28
University of Massachusetts, Amherst	78	14
Stanford University	78	10
University of Colorado Colorado Springs	78	10
University of Denver	78	12
Stevens Institute of Technology	78	20
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College	78	24
Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani	78	13
Ohio University	77	15
University of Connecticut	77	19
UC Santa Barbara	77	13
University of California, Irvine	77	10
Eastern Washington University	77	13
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute	77	34
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley	77	11
Carnegie Mellon University	77	14
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	77	25
University of Georgia College of Engineering	77	11
Virginia Tech	76	35
University of Nevada-Las Vegas	76	19
University of Mississippi	76	14
University of Hawaii at Manoa	76	12
Wichita State University	76	12
Gonzaga University	76	12
University of Rochester	76	13
Prairie View A&M University	76	15
Manhattan College	76	14
Texas A&M University	75	76
University of California, Berkeley	75	17
University of Southern California	75	19
Boston University	75	16
University of New Hampshire	75	16
Bradley University	75	16
SUNY Polytechnic Institute	75	11
Florida Atlantic University	74	11
California State University, Northridge	74	11
University of Texas at Tyler	74	13
The University of Toledo	74	12
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology	74	16
Northwestern University	73	16
New Jersey Institute of Technology	73	32
The University of Texas at Austin	72	44
Milwaukee School of Engineering	72	16
Auburn University, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering	71	10
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign	70	29
University of Virginia	70	20
University of Nebraska-Lincoln	70	18
University of California, San Diego	70	10
The College of New Jersey	70	10
New Mexico State University	70	18
Savitribai Phule Pune University	70	28
Florida State University	69	11
Visvesvaraya Technological University	69	13
University of Notre Dame	68	17
Tufts University	68	11
SRM University	68	11
Northern Illinois University	67	13
Vanderbilt University	66	15
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University	66	14
University of Mumbai	66	24
University of North Texas	65	10
United States Naval Academy	64	16
Rice University	63	10
University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez	62	10
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University	60	16
Vellore Institute of Technology	59	18
Anna University	55	13
Osmania University	50	12
United States Military Academy at West Point	48	10