First, some facts. Of the Mechanical Engineering graduates from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 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 23 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Great! Overall, with an average relevance score of 91%, Mechanical Engineering graduates from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities have a substantially higher likelihood (+24%) 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 13% 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: 67%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2011 from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Mechanical Engineering. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONAssociate EngineerVascular Solutions 2011 - 2012 Mechanical Engineer M4 Engineering, Inc. Sep 2013 - Aug 2018 Senior Engineer M4 Engineering, Inc. Aug 2018 - Nov 2021 Technical Sales Lead M4 Engineering, Inc. Aug 2018 - Feb 2024 Program Manager M4 Engineering, Inc. Sep 2018 - Feb 2024 Technical Branch Manager M4 Engineering, Inc. Sep 2023 - Present ABOUTI started taking things apart when I was two years old. This same curiosity led me to pursue an engineering degree at the University of MN and keeps me learning and growing today. I am passionate about bringing products to life using modern technology. I lead an amazing team of designers, analysts, and test engineers to create the right products on time. I focus on key results and am not afraid to get my hands dirty. I listen to the customer, and adjust quickly to new information.My journey started with biomedical devices, where I learned about the importance of keeping your customer as the focal point. As a structural analyst, I learned to focus on the right details. As a program manager, I focus on execution and bringing real value to customers. I look for opportunities (mass, schedule, cost?) where they may be overlooked and I love to work with others to come up with unique and creative solutions. I prioritize learning, which helps me work effectively with others and understand the complex couplings in modern engineering products. I enjoy meeting new people and hearing new perspectives. Reach out if you want to talk product development, aerospace, FEA, or soccer.Professional SkillsProgram Management | Product Design Lifecycle | Team Development | Product Development | Agile |Domain SkillsAirships | Launch Vehicles | Airplanes | Wind Turbines | Composite Structures | Actuators | Valves | Ground Equipment | Nonlinear | Fatigue | Soft Structures | Vibration | Finite Element Analysis |SoftwareMicrosoft Office | SolidWorks | NX | FEMAP | Simcenter 3D | ANSYS | Abaqus | Python | |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
So, looking at all these LinkedIn profiles of people from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities who graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree, a few common job types really stand out. Many graduates have landed roles like R&D Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, and Quality Engineer, with most positions requiring a solid grasp of mechanical engineering principles. For example, positions at companies like St. Jude Medical and Honeywell demonstrate how well these graduates are applying their education in real-world R&D, engineering design, and product management environments. Even roles in quality management still leverage the engineering foundation to ensure products meet rigorous standards.
However, it's important to note that not every job closely ties back to mechanical engineering. Some roles, particularly those focused on sales or project management, while they may benefit from an engineering background, don’t heavily rely on technical skills from the degree. For instance, the Technical Sales Lead position seemed more about sales than engineering. In general, though, a large portion of these jobs are pretty relevant to the mechanical engineering field, showcasing how the degree effectively opens doors to various engineering positions.
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 Minnesota-Twin Cities):
Graduates with a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities generally have promising career trajectories that align closely with their field of study. Many students landing their first jobs as R&D Engineers, Test Engineers, or Mechanical Engineers show that they start strong and find roles directly related to engineering. For example, graduates from 2010 and 2011 have systematically moved up the ranks at reputable companies like St. Jude Medical and Honeywell over the years, showcasing how early-career positions often lead to advancement within the same company or field. Five to ten years after graduation, many of these individuals hold senior-level roles, take on managerial positions, or transition into specialized roles, indicating a clear path of growth and integration into the engineering sector.
However, it's crucial to note that while most alumni tend to stay in positions tied to their mechanical engineering background, a few switch gears completely. For instance, one graduate is working as a Backcountry Trails Crew Leader, indicating a shift away from engineering. This variety suggests that while the majority find satisfying careers that utilize their engineering skills, there are also those who explore different interests, pointing to the versatile skill set they gained during their education. Overall, Mechanical Engineering graduates from this university seem to have a solid footing in the field, with many thriving in relevant roles and enjoying career progression.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, whether at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities or elsewhere, is generally considered pretty challenging. You’re diving into a lot of tough subjects like thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and mechanics, plus there’s a good amount of physics and advanced math involved. The coursework can be quite rigorous, and you'll likely have to balance projects, labs, and exams, which can add up to a heavy workload. That said, if you have a passion for engineering and are willing to put in the effort, it is definitely doable! So, it’s on the tougher side compared to some other fields, but if you're into problem-solving and design, you might find it really rewarding too!
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 LinkedIn profiles of Mechanical Engineering graduates from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, it seems like most of them have been able to land pretty solid jobs that likely pay decent money. Several of them have climbed the ladder into senior or manager-level positions at reputable companies like St. Jude Medical, Honeywell, and Abbott, which typically offer competitive salaries, especially in fields like R&D and engineering. Even the folks starting out seem to be making a fair wage, as entry-level engineering gigs often start at a respectable pay scale. So, overall, it looks like these grads are doing well financially, and with experience, they’ll probably continue to see their incomes rise.
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 Minnesota-Twin Cities). 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: