First, some facts. Of the Mechanical Engineering graduates from University of Portland 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 19 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 83%, Mechanical Engineering graduates from University of Portland have a much higher likelihood (+16%) 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, 47% 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 you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Mechanical Engineering graduate.
See the details:
Relevance score: 27%We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2013 from University of Portland with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONSecondary School Teacher - Science and MathPeace Corps Jul 2013 - Aug 2015 Engineering Intern Special Waste Associates Sep 2015 - Sep 2016 Sustainable Engineering Research Fellow Villanova University College of Engineering Aug 2016 - May 2018 Sustainability Coordinator Prairie State College Jul 2018 - Aug 2021 Regulatory Analyst Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission Sep 2021 - Present Regulatory Analyst Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission Sep 2021 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Science (M.S.)Villanova University 2016 - 2018 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From the profiles of those who graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Portland, it's clear that a significant number of alumni have landed roles directly related to mechanical engineering. Common job titles include Mechanical Engineer, Project Engineer, and Product Design Engineer. These roles typically demand a robust understanding of mechanical concepts, making them a strong fit for someone with a mechanical engineering background. For example, positions like Mechanical Engineer at various companies and Project Engineer roles in construction or product development heavily involve applying the principles learned during their studies, showcasing a high level of relevance to their degree.
However, not every job has been closely related to mechanical engineering. Some graduates have taken on positions that only marginally utilize their engineering skills, such as roles in education, financial analysis, or non-engineering research. For instance, roles like Secondary School Teacher or various financial analyst positions significantly diverge from core mechanical engineering responsibilities, leading to a mixed bag of relevance among these career paths. Overall, while many alumni have successfully transitioned into engineering roles that directly correlate with their education, a handful have ventured into unrelated fields, diluting the direct relevance of their degree in those instances.
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 Portland):
From what we can see, graduates from the University of Portland with a degree in Mechanical Engineering have generally embarked on quite promising and relevant career paths. It seems that many of these individuals kicked off their careers in engineering roles, often landing their first jobs as mechanical engineers or similar capacities soon after graduation. For instance, those graduating in the early 2010s commonly started in entry-level positions, such as mechanical engineer roles at various reputable companies. As they gained experience, many advanced into more specialized positions or management roles within their organizations, like project engineers, product design engineers, or even senior engineers at major companies like NASA and Lockheed Martin. This suggests a solid foundation in their education, leading to opportunities in impressive engineering projects and research positions.
Fast forward five or ten years later, and you'll find that these graduates have moved up the career ladder, often taking on roles such as project managers, senior engineers, or even positions at well-known firms like Blue Origin and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. However, a few did take paths that veer away from traditional mechanical engineering roles, such as transitioning into regulatory analyst positions or roles in energy efficiency. This diversity in career trajectories highlights the versatility of a mechanical engineering degree, allowing graduates to explore various industries beyond just mechanical design and manufacturing. Overall, while there are a few exceptions, the general trend indicates that those who studied mechanical engineering at the University of Portland have fared quite well in their careers post-graduation, often aligning their roles with their academic background and professional training.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, whether at the University of Portland or elsewhere, can be pretty challenging. It’s definitely not an easy ride! You’ll dive into a lot of tough subjects like calculus, physics, and materials science, and you’ll get your hands dirty with design projects and sometimes even complicated lab work. The workload can be heavy, with lengthy problem sets and group projects, but if you have a real interest in understanding how things work and you’re willing to put in the effort, it can also be super rewarding. So, just be prepared for some late nights and plenty of coffee, but if you're passionate about it, you'll find your groove!
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 graduates from the University of Portland, it seems like they’re generally doing pretty well in terms of money, especially with jobs at reputable companies. Many of them have progressed from internships to more senior roles, which usually means their salaries are on the up-and-up. For example, one grad is a Senior Product Design Engineer at Edgewell, which likely pays decently, and another is a Systems Engineer at NASA! Plus, having roles like Principal Manufacturing Engineer and Manager at Lockheed Martin indicates solid earnings. On the flip side, there are a few who started in roles outside of traditional engineering, like teaching or internships with lower pay—so it really varies between the paths they've taken. Overall, it looks like most of them are finding their way into well-paying positions, especially as they gain experience.
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 Portland). 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: