What can you do with a Mechanical Engineering degree from University of California, San Diego?

First, some facts. Of the Mechanical Engineering graduates from University of California, San Diego 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 70%, Mechanical Engineering graduates from University of California, San Diego have a slightly higher likelihood (+3%) 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:

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

View a random Mechanical Engineering graduate from University of California, San Diego and our analysis:

Relevance score: 85% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree. DEGREE INFO Graduated in 2017 from University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION Computer Technician UCLA Health Dec 2017 - Jun 2018 The position of Computer Technician does not require mechanical engineering skills or knowledge, focusing instead on IT and support tasks unrelated to the degree. Tutor Kumon North America, Inc. Aug 2018 - Dec 2018 The role of a Tutor at Kumon emphasizes educational instruction and is not related to the technical skills or knowledge acquired through a mechanical engineering degree. Volunteer Mentor- Team 1452 FIRST Nov 2018 - Feb 2019 Volunteering as a Mentor with FIRST may utilize mechanical engineering concepts in a practical environment, although it does not directly employ the core qualifications of the degree. Mechanical Design Engineer ProCustom Group Jan 2019 - Aug 2020 As a Mechanical Design Engineer, the position directly applies mechanical engineering principles and skills learned through the Bachelor's program on a daily basis. Manufacturing Engineer II Mason Controls Aug 2020 - Dec 2020 The position of Manufacturing Engineer II requires specific knowledge and skills in mechanical engineering, making it highly relevant to the degree. Electromechanical Engineer Northrop Grumman Dec 2020 - Jun 2022 The role of Electromechanical Engineer involves applying mechanical engineering concepts and expertise, firmly connecting it to the individual's educational background. Mechanical Engineer II (JPL Contract) APR Consulting Jul 2022 - Apr 2023 As a Mechanical Engineer II (JPL Contract), this job utilizes mechanical engineering knowledge directly and requires relevant skills acquired during the Bachelor's program. Mechanical Engineer III NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Apr 2023 - Present The position of Mechanical Engineer III at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory demands an extensive application of mechanical engineering concepts, making it directly relevant to the individual's degree. FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING Master of Science - MS University of California, Los Angeles 2017 - 2018 ABOUT Creative and passionate mechanical engineer with background in systems control, robotics, solid mechanics, and hardware design. Currently having fun (its important for what one does) developing electromechanical systems for NASA JPL. Hands-on oriented yet theoretically proficient. Good at developing new ideas and concepts, not afraid to fail. US Citizen. Security Clearance upon request.

What jobs can you get with a Mechanical Engineering degree from University of California, San Diego?

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

• Mechanical Engineer
• Software Developer
• Sustainability Waste Analyst
• Tutor
• Mechanical Design Engineer
• Test Engineer
• Design Engineer
• Maintenance Technician
• Process Engineer
• Maintenance Planner & Supervisor

From what I've gathered, a lot of graduates from the Mechanical Engineering program at UC San Diego have landed jobs primarily in roles like Mechanical Engineers, Design Engineers, and Manufacturing Engineers. These positions directly leverage the skills and knowledge they gained during their studies, focusing on applying mechanical engineering principles to real-world problems. A good number of them have worked at places like General Atomics and various engineering firms, where they actively use their technical expertise daily, handling design tasks, system integrations, or manufacturing processes that are clearly aligned with mechanical engineering. For example, positions like Senior Manufacturing Engineer and Mechanical Design Engineer show a strong tie to the principles they learned, as these roles often demand a deep understanding of mechanics, materials, and systems.

However, it's not all related to hardcore engineering. Some grads have taken on roles that seem a bit less connected. For instance, jobs like Tutors or various positions focused on sustainability may use general problem-solving skills that might be inspired by their engineering background, but they don't heavily utilize the mechanical engineering concepts they studied. Even jobs like QA Engineer or Project Manager lean more towards management or quality assurance rather than the technical aspects of engineering. So, while many have found relevant roles in engineering fields, there’s definitely a mix, and not all job titles scream "mechanical engineer." Overall, it looks like while a significant number of alumni have moved into related engineering fields, others have veered into areas where their mechanical engineering education isn't the main focus of their work.

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 California, San Diego):

What kind of career trajectories do Mechanical Engineering graduates from University of California, San Diego have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

So, checking out the career trajectories of folks who've graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree from UC San Diego, it looks like many of them have landed solid jobs that are pretty relevant to their field right after graduation. For their first roles, you see a mix of engineering positions—many starting as mechanical engineers, design engineers, or in roles that help them build the technical skills they need. For example, some have jumped straight into reputable companies like General Atomics or have taken on internships that set the stage for a solid engineering career.

As for what these graduates are doing five or ten years later, a good number of them continue to advance in the engineering space, often moving into specialized roles or even management positions. It’s not just about sticking with one title; many are evolving into senior roles or switching companies for better opportunities while staying in engineering-related fields. You do have some individuals who move slightly away from traditional engineering jobs—like going into sustainability or project management—but they still seem to leverage their engineering background. Overall, it looks like if you stick with Mechanical Engineering from UC San Diego, you're setting yourself up for a career that generally trends in a positive direction!

How hard is a Mechanical Engineering degree from University of California, San Diego?

A Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, especially at a rigorous school like UC San Diego, can be quite challenging. You’ll dive into a lot of math, physics, and hands-on projects, and sometimes it can feel like you're drowning in formulas and late-night study sessions. That said, if you’ve got a solid foundation in math and a genuine interest in how things work, you can definitely manage it. It’s about balancing tough coursework with study groups and grabbing help when you need it. Overall, it might be tougher than some other degrees, but don’t let that scare you—many students get through it just fine with a bit of dedication and perseverance!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 5 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Do Mechanical Engineering graduates from University of California, San Diego tend to make good money?

Alright, so let's break this down! Most of these UC San Diego Mechanical Engineering grads seem to have landed solid jobs, especially at big companies like Google, NASA, and General Atomics, which usually means decent salaries. The ones who started in typical engineering roles also moved on to higher positions, hinting at good upward mobility. However, one grad took a more winding path with roles like tutor and maintenance technician, which might mean their earnings aren’t as impressive. Overall, while there are some variations depending on the specific jobs and paths they took, it looks like a good chunk of them are likely bringing in a decent paycheck, definitely enough to support a comfortable lifestyle!

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 is across all Mechanical Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of California, San Diego). 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