First, some facts. Of the Mechanical Engineering graduates from Northern Arizona University 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 20 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 86%, Mechanical Engineering graduates from Northern Arizona University have a much higher likelihood (+19%) 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.
Also, after graduating, only 20% 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:
Relevance score: 51%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2013 from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONVolunteer Crossfire Youth Group LeaderThe Door Christian Church Jun 2017 - Oct 2019 Manufacturing Engineer Raytheon Technologies Jun 2013 - Apr 2015 Project Engineer - Operations Support / R&D Raytheon Technologies Mar 2015 - Sep 2017 Sr. Quality Engineer / Sr. Quality Assurance Supervisor Raytheon Technologies Aug 2017 - Feb 2020 Industrial / Lean Engineer Oatey Company Jan 2020 - Sep 2021 Senior Pastor The Door Church of Omaha Oct 2019 - Present Continuous Improvement Practitioner FNBO Sep 2021 - Apr 2023 Talent Acquisition Business Process Advisor FNBO Apr 2023 - May 2024 Human Resources Information System Analyst FNBO May 2024 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Business Administration (M.B.A.)Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 2015 - 2016 Master of Science - MS New England College of Business 2017 - 2018 ABOUTTransformational Leader Leveraging Expertise in: Engineering, HR, Lean, Six Sigma, Process Improvement, Cost Effectiveness |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the jobs that graduates with a Mechanical Engineering degree from Northern Arizona University have landed, it's pretty clear that many of them have found roles that are quite relevant to their field. Common positions include Manufacturing Engineers, Quality Engineers, and R&D Engineers. These jobs frequently ask for the skills and knowledge gained in their degree programs, which is awesome because it shows that the education they received is being put to good use. For instance, roles at companies like W.L. Gore & Associates and Raytheon Technologies involve direct application of mechanical engineering principles day-to-day.
However, not every job listed is strictly mechanical engineering-related. Some graduates have taken on roles that align more with project management, sales, or other areas where engineering expertise isn’t core, like being a Driver or a Sales Representative. While some of these positions may draw on skills like problem-solving and analytical thinking, they don't specifically make use of mechanical engineering knowledge. So, while many of the jobs are on point with what you'd expect from a Mechanical Engineering degree, there’s a fair amount of variety, and some individuals have ventured away from traditional engineering roles entirely, which is something to consider when looking at career paths after graduation.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Mechanical Engineering graduates (this is across all Mechanical Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Northern Arizona University):
Graduates from Northern Arizona University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering generally embark on promising career trajectories in fields that align closely with their studies. Many of them secure positions right after graduation that leverage their engineering skills, such as manufacturing engineers, project engineers, and quality engineers. A noticeable trend is that a significant portion of these alumni ends up working at well-known companies like W. L. Gore & Associates or Raytheon Technologies, where they gain valuable industry experience. This strong entry-level presence in engineering roles suggests that the university prepares its students well for immediate employment in their field.
As these graduates progress five to ten years post-graduation, they tend to move into more specialized or managerial positions. Many have advanced to roles like Senior Engineer, Project Manager, and Quality Assurance Supervisor, showcasing a pathway towards leadership within engineering contexts. However, there are some cases where individuals have taken non-engineering paths, working in areas like sales or marketing, indicating a mix of outcomes. Overall, it's evident that a Mechanical Engineering degree from Northern Arizona University sets graduates up for meaningful careers, with a clear focus on engineering-related fields, especially for those who stay the course and take advantage of their technical skills.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering can be pretty challenging, not just at Northern Arizona University but pretty much anywhere. You’re diving into a lot of tough subjects like calculus, thermodynamics, and materials science, which really push your problem-solving skills. It's definitely more rigorous than some other degrees, so you'll find yourself putting in a decent amount of late-night study sessions and group projects. That said, if you’re passionate about engineering and have a solid foundation in math and physics, you can totally handle it. Just be ready to work hard, but also to enjoy some cool projects along the way!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Looking at these Mechanical Engineering graduates from Northern Arizona University, it seems like most of them have landed some solid jobs, especially at well-known companies like Raytheon and Wilson Gore & Associates. A lot of them progressed quite quickly into high-level positions, such as project managers and senior engineers, which typically come with pretty good salaries—especially in fields related to aerospace and manufacturing. Overall, while some early roles may not have paid that well (like driving for a limousine service), the trend seems to be upward as they gain experience, so they might not be struggling financially now. It's a dynamic field, and it appears most of these folks are likely doing alright!
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 is across all Mechanical Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Northern Arizona University). This may or may not be useful:
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: