First, some facts. Of the Mechanical Engineering graduates from University of Arizona 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 19 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 85%, Mechanical Engineering graduates from University of Arizona have a much higher likelihood (+18%) 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 15% 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: 92%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2013 from University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Mechanical Engineering. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONField EngineerSchlumberger Oct 2013 - Jun 2015 PV Designer II SolarCity Jun 2015 - Jun 2017 Design Engineer Electrical Consultants, Inc. Jun 2017 - Dec 2022 Associate Engineer Electrical Consultants, Inc. Jan 2023 - Present ABOUTI am currently working as an Associate Engineer with ECI. I am proficient in many aspects of overhead transmission line design including but not limited to structural and foundation design, alignment development, ROW and easement acquisition support, and ampacity analysis and conductor sizing, I have worked on multiple different project types including greenfield gen-tie lines in rural areas and brownfield system upgrades in congested cities. My experience also includes underground to overhead transmission line design and overhead distribution design. I also have project management experience including schedule and budget management, client communications, and reporting duties.I joined SolarCity's residential engineering department to continue my career in the energy industry. With SolarCity I design a high-volume of residential PV systems nationwide based on the homeowner's needs. This involves evaluating the home's structure and existing electrical equipment for PV compatibility to design a system that is up to code and meets the requirements of the various authorities having jurisdiction. Shortly before leaving SolarCity, the company was purchased by Tesla.After graduating I worked at Schlumberger as a Field Engineer in their cased hole wireline segment. At Schlumberger I managed a wireline crew while performing various cased hole logging and casing-perforation services.I graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
After taking a look at the jobs held by graduates from the University of Arizona who studied Mechanical Engineering, it's clear that many of them have ended up in roles that are pretty relevant to their degree. The most common positions seem to be related to manufacturing engineering, design engineering, and roles at well-known companies like Raytheon and Honeywell. These jobs involve applying mechanical engineering principles daily, such as designing products, working on manufacturing processes, or overseeing engineering projects. Internships early in their careers often serve as a launchpad to these more specialized roles, helping them gain experience that directly ties back to their studies.
However, it’s not all about engineering—there are some positions that don’t really connect to mechanical engineering at all. For instance, roles like a Kitchen Assistant, Property Manager, or even a Game Analyst show that not every graduate sticks to an engineering path. While a few jobs involve transferable skills like project management or problem-solving, they lack the specific engineering focus most graduates would expect from their training. Overall, though, if you look at the big picture, a significant number of these graduates are landing jobs straight in their field, making good use of their mechanical engineering background.
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 University of Arizona):
If we take a look at the career paths of graduates from the University of Arizona with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, it seems like many of them are landing solid jobs right after college, especially in industries that are closely related to their field. For instance, a lot of those who graduated around 2010 to 2015 started off as Manufacturing Engineers or in positions with a focus on new product development. Over the years, a good number of them have moved up to senior roles or specialties, like design or product engineering, particularly in large companies like Howmet Aerospace and Raytheon. This suggests that the foundation they got from their education is propelling them into strong career trajectories, with many staying in engineering roles and making upward moves in responsibility and expertise.
However, not everyone following this path has had a perfectly linear career. There are some graduates whose first jobs aren't directly related to mechanical engineering, like those who transitioned to roles in real estate or construction. This could be a sign that while some find their niche right away, others might be exploring different opportunities before settling into a career that truly aligns with their engineering background. Five to ten years down the line, the focus seems to shift back to more technical roles for many, as they leverage their degrees to get into established engineering positions, while others might find success in adjacent fields. Overall, while there's a mix of experiences, a good number are carving out rewarding careers in engineering, which is encouraging for anyone considering this path.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering can be pretty challenging, and this goes for the University of Arizona or pretty much any school that offers it. You'll be diving into a lot of math, physics, and complex problem-solving, which can be tough if those aren’t your favorite subjects. Classes can get intense, especially during projects and labs where you have to actually apply what you’ve learned. It’s definitely a step up from high school, so you’ll need to be ready to put in a good amount of effort and time. That said, if you’re really into engineering and willing to grind through the tough spots, it's totally doable!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering.
From what I can see, it looks like the Mechanical Engineering grads from the University of Arizona are doing pretty well for themselves in the job market. Many of them landed roles in reputable companies like Raytheon, Honeywell, and Caterpillar, which usually suggests decent salaries and benefits. Positions like Senior Engineers or Product Engineers often come with good pay, especially as they level up over time, moving from lower roles to more senior ones. While we can’t pinpoint exact salaries, their job trajectories suggest they are on a path to making solid money, especially considering engineering tends to pay well overall. So yeah, it seems like they’re 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 University of Arizona). 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: