First, some facts. Of the Mechanical Engineering graduates from University of Kentucky 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 24 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 86%, Mechanical Engineering graduates from University of Kentucky 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: 100%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2023 from University of Kentucky with a Bachelor's of Science in Mechanical Engineering. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONJr. CAD designerGE Appliances, a Haier company Jun 2023 - Present ABOUTI am currently studying for a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics. I really understand and enjoy using different CAD programs. Once I complete a part in the program, I like to blow it apart and look at how it all goes together. I am very curious on how things work together, this way I get a strong understanding of how all these parts work together to create the final object.Cars are my biggest passion. I do mostly all the work on my parents cars as well as my own. Cars have interested me for all my life. Now I do not understand everything about cars and how all the different parts work together, but I am learning little by little each day and I won't stop learning til I completely understand how all the parts work together to make up the car. I one day hope to improve some of these parts to make the automobile even better. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From analyzing the LinkedIn profiles of graduates from the University of Kentucky's Mechanical Engineering program, it seems that a significant number of individuals have landed roles that are closely tied to their degree, particularly in fields like manufacturing, project engineering, and design. Many of these jobs, such as Manufacturing Engineer, Product Engineer, and various positions at high-profile companies like Lockheed Martin and Toyota, utilize mechanical engineering principles daily. These roles require a solid understanding of the technical skills and knowledge gained during their studies, making them very relevant to their educational background.
However, there are also cases where graduates have ventured into positions that are less direct in their application of mechanical engineering. For instance, roles in business development, project management, or even positions like a marketing intern, while they may benefit from an engineering mindset, don't typically require a strong mechanical engineering background. So, while many graduates find their way into jobs that clearly leverage their mechanical engineering expertise, a good number also explore paths that are somewhat related or even completely unrelated to their degree. Overall, it’s a mixed bag, but a notable portion of graduates seem to successfully find roles that directly align with what they studied.
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 Kentucky):
From analyzing the career trajectories of Mechanical Engineering graduates from the University of Kentucky, it's clear that many of them have successfully secured jobs related to their field right after graduation. Typically, their first roles tend to be in engineering positions, often as manufacturing engineers, applications engineers, or project engineers with prominent companies like Lockheed Martin, Toyota, and GE. For instance, many graduates from the class of 2015 started as manufacturing engineers and advanced their careers impressively in fast-paced, innovative environments like SpaceX and Honeywell. This indicates a strong initial alignment with their mechanical engineering education and a solid entry into relevant career paths.
When looking at the long-term paths of these graduates, which includes five to ten years after graduation, you can see many of them have not only stayed in engineering roles but have also climbed the ranks to senior positions. Some have taken on leadership roles like program manager or even director positions at top firms, while others have transitioned into specialized engineering fields in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and beyond. Overall, it looks like a lot of these graduates have carved out successful careers closely tied to mechanical engineering, which is awesome. While there are a few cases of graduates taking more varied paths (like moving into physical therapy or project management), the majority appear to be thriving in their engineering disciplines, making a good case for the value of a degree in Mechanical Engineering from UK.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering can be pretty challenging, and the University of Kentucky is no exception. You'll dive into tough subjects like thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and materials science, and that can really stretch your brain, especially if math isn’t your strong suit. It’s definitely not one of those "coasting" degrees; you'll need to put in the effort with homework, projects, and studying for exams. That said, if you’re passionate about engineering and ready to tackle those challenges, it can be a rewarding experience. Just be prepared for some late nights and group study sessions!
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 the job paths of these Mechanical Engineering grads from the University of Kentucky, it seems like a lot of them are doing pretty well for themselves! Graduates from 2010 to 2017 have moved into solid roles in reputable companies, often climbing the ladder quickly. For instance, one grad went from Manufacturing Engineer to Director at Sierra Space in just a few years, which definitely suggests a nice paycheck. Even those who started out with internships or lower-level positions have transitioned into decent roles, like Project Engineers at major firms such as Toyota and Lockheed Martin. While some are still in the earlier stages of their careers with roles that might pay less, overall, it looks like these folks are on track for some solid earnings 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 Kentucky). 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: