First, some facts. Of the Mechanical Engineering graduates from University of Dayton 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 36 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 82%, Mechanical Engineering graduates from University of Dayton have a much higher likelihood (+15%) 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 27% 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: 71%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2010 from University of Dayton with a Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONMeachanical EngineeringSenior UD Capstone Design Project - Babble Basics Jan 2010 - May 2010 Mechanical Engineer Air Force Research Lab May 2010 - Aug 2010 ABOUTSpecialties: Inventor 2010AutoCAD 2010Mechanical skills and aptitudesKnowledge of Microsoft Office 2007: Excel, PowerPoint, WordWork independently or with a team, and can take directionLearn quickly, strong organizational skills, self starter, and thoroughness in attention to detail |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
It looks like people who graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Dayton have landed some pretty cool jobs! A large number of them have gone on to work in aerospace positions, particularly within the Air Force Research Laboratory and the National Reconnaissance Office. Positions like Rocket Test Facility Engineer, Spacecraft Engineer, and various leadership roles in engineering highlight a clear trend towards aerospace and defense industries. Others have found their footing in manufacturing, biomedical fields, and engineering consultancy roles where they are directly applying mechanical principles in things like design, testing, and product development.
When you dive into the relevance of these jobs to their degrees, it’s pretty clear that many of them are closely aligned with mechanical engineering. Most of the positions involve direct application of mechanical engineering knowledge—like mechanical design engineers and project engineers. However, there are notable exceptions where the connection isn’t as strong, such as roles focused on management or teaching, where the engineering knowledge is just a bonus rather than a daily necessity. Overall, it's a mix of relevant and not-so-relevant positions, but the majority lean heavily towards roles that directly utilize their mechanical engineering skills!
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 Dayton):
Looking at the career paths of Mechanical Engineering graduates from the University of Dayton, it seems like they generally find their footing in solid engineering roles right after graduation. For many, their first jobs are with reputable companies or government institutions, like various positions at the Air Force Research Laboratory or other engineering firms. This sets them on a trajectory toward specialized roles in aerospace, manufacturing, and defense, often climbing the corporate ladder quite quickly. Even within the first few years of graduating, a number of alumni are already taking on significant leadership responsibilities or branching into related fields like project and product management.
Fast forward five or ten years later, and many of these graduates have established impressive careers. They're often in managerial or senior engineering roles, contributing to exciting projects like spacecraft engineering or advanced medical devices. While a few have chosen a different path, like academia or the military, the majority seem to leverage their engineering degrees well, aligning themselves with industries that utilize their skills effectively. So, overall, it looks like this program does a good job of preparing students for meaningful and relevant careers in mechanical engineering!
Alright, so getting a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, whether it’s at the University of Dayton or anywhere else, is definitely not a walk in the park. It’s a challenging program that involves a lot of complex math, physics, and hands-on design work. You’ll be diving into topics like thermodynamics and fluid mechanics, which can get pretty intense. That said, if you’re really into understanding how things work and enjoy problem-solving, it can be super rewarding. It may feel tougher than some other degrees because it demands strong analytical and technical skills, but with good time management and a willingness to put in the effort, you can totally handle it! Keep in mind, though, every person's experience can be different, and your passion for the subject can make a big difference in how hard it feels.
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 grads from the University of Dayton, it seems like a lot of them have secured pretty solid jobs, especially those in positions linked to the military and aerospace sectors. The first grad has been climbing the ranks in various roles at the Air Force and the National Reconnaissance Office, which generally indicates good pay, likely in the six-figure range as they moved up to director-level titles. The others, particularly those involved with major companies like Ford, General Motors, and Baxter International, are also in positions that suggest decent salaries. Even recent grads start in roles that offer a respectable income, which is encouraging. Overall, it looks like these folks are doing pretty well for themselves financially in the engineering field!
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 Dayton). 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: