First, some facts. Of the Mechanical Engineering graduates from University of Maryland 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 27 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 81%, Mechanical Engineering graduates from University of Maryland have a much higher likelihood (+14%) 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 18% 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 2022 from University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Mechanical Engineering. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONField Engineer ProgramGE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Jun 2022 - Jul 2023 Mechanical Component Engineer GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Jul 2023 - Present ABOUTMechanical Component Engineer working on BWRX-300 with both hands on maintenance and product design experience. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Based on the analysis of LinkedIn profiles from graduates of the University of Maryland with Mechanical Engineering degrees, it seems like many of them have found jobs that directly relate to their field. A significant amount of positions such as Mechanical Engineer, Systems Engineer, and Process Engineer require a solid understanding and application of mechanical engineering principles, and these roles often involve hands-on work in designing, testing, and improving mechanical systems. Internships and entry-level positions also typically provide valuable experience in relevant fields like aerospace, automotive, and general engineering roles where they can use their technical skills daily.
However, not all roles are as directly relevant as they could be. Some graduates have taken positions like Patent Examiner or Project Manager, which, while they may benefit from an engineering background, don't require them to apply mechanical engineering concepts on a day-to-day basis. Roles in writing or broader project management usually involve less technical application of their specialized training. Overall, while there's a good mix between highly relevant jobs and those that aren’t as closely tied to mechanical engineering, many graduates do manage to secure positions that align closely with their degree, leveraging their skills in practical and innovative ways.
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 Maryland):
The career trajectories of graduates from the University of Maryland's Mechanical Engineering program seem pretty promising. Right after graduating, many have landed solid entry-level positions or internships that align well with their engineering backgrounds. For instance, recent graduates have been hired as Mechanical Engineers, Design Engineers, and even in specialized roles like Systems Integrators or Space Systems Engineers at top companies such as SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, and Siemens. These roles showcase a direct application of their degree and technical skills, which bodes well for their early career development.
Looking a bit further down the line, about five to ten years after graduation, the trend continues to be favorable. Many alums have climbed the ranks to positions like Project Manager or even earned roles at reputable companies in their fields, indicating a positive growth trajectory. Some graduates have even moved into unique niches within the engineering field, like patent examination or project management for high-tech projects. While a few appear to have strayed into less traditional roles unrelated to mechanical engineering, for the most part, the majority of graduates seem to be successfully building careers that leverage their education and skills in engineering. Overall, the path looks good for most graduates, particularly those who stay engaged and continue gaining experience in their field.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering is pretty challenging, and that goes for the University of Maryland too. You’ll be diving into a mix of tough math, physics, and all sorts of engineering principles, and you won't just be cruising through the classes—there's a lot of problem-solving and hands-on work, which can really test your understanding. It’s definitely more intense than some other degrees, so you should expect late nights with textbooks and group projects where everyone has to pull their weight. But, if you have a solid interest in how things work and you enjoy tackling complex problems, it can be super rewarding in the end!
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 career paths of these Mechanical Engineering graduates from the University of Maryland, it seems like they're doing pretty well in terms of job opportunities, but their pay might vary quite a bit. Some started off with internships and entry-level positions, which is pretty normal, especially if it's right after graduation. However, many have quickly moved into roles with companies like Siemens, SpaceX, and Lockheed Martin, which are known for decent salaries in the engineering field. The graduates from 2020 and later seem to be landing solid positions, indicating good earning potential. Overall, while some might still be in the early phases and earning entry-level salaries, many others appear to be on the path to making pretty decent money in their later roles. It looks promising!
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 Maryland). 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: