First, some facts. Of the Mechanical Engineering graduates from University of Rhode Island 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 12 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 78%, Mechanical Engineering graduates from University of Rhode Island have a much higher likelihood (+11%) 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 0% 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: 80%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2010 from University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Mechanical Engineering. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONShip Systems Components EngineerGeneral Dynamics: Electric Boat Jun 2011 - Jun 2014 Mechanical Engineer Scientific Applications and Research Associates (SARA) Inc. Jun 2014 - Present Jr. Board President [NAME REMOVED] and Joan Dircks Foundation, Inc. Jan 2016 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From the data collected from LinkedIn profiles of mechanical engineering graduates from the University of Rhode Island, it looks like a variety of roles have been taken on by these individuals since graduating. A common thread across many profiles is the significant number of engineers working in fields that directly utilize their mechanical engineering skills, such as design engineering, project engineering, and manufacturing engineering. For instance, many graduates took positions at companies like General Dynamics Electric Boat, Hasbro, and other firms that value the specific technical expertise that mechanical engineering provides.
However, it's also important to highlight that not every job these graduates have taken is directly relevant to their degree. While roles like Mechanical Engineer and Design Engineer clearly involve applying mechanical engineering principles, there are others, such as those in sales applications or project management, that focus more on broader skills rather than specific engineering concepts. Some graduates even transitioned into roles like software engineering or various positions in the military where the core responsibilities aren't necessarily grounded in mechanical engineering. Overall, it seems that while many alumni are leveraging their degree effectively, there's a notable portion whose careers have diverged from direct mechanical engineering applications.
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 Rhode Island):
Graduates from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in Mechanical Engineering generally have had pretty solid career trajectories, especially in their first few years after graduation. Many of them land roles directly related to engineering, such as manufacturing engineers, project engineers, and design engineers, at reputable companies like General Dynamics, Hasbro, and others. It seems that right out of college, they often start in entry-level positions where they can gain hands-on experience and take on progressively more responsibility. For instance, many of them quickly move from positions like associate engineers to roles where they lead projects or teams just a few years post-graduation.
Fast forward 5 to 10 years, and most of these graduates have maintained a strong connection to their field. Many have advanced to senior positions—like senior project engineers and manufacturing engineers—showing a clear path of upward mobility. There are a few exceptions, where some graduates have ventured into less traditional roles or industries, like project management in construction, but even these choices often have some connection to their engineering background. Overall, it looks like a degree in Mechanical Engineering from URI opens up a solid range of career opportunities, and most graduates are finding success in relevant and meaningful positions within their field.
Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, whether at the University of Rhode Island or elsewhere, can be quite challenging, but it’s definitely doable with the right mindset and dedication. You'll dive into a lot of math, physics, and design principles, which can get pretty intense at times. A lot of students find the coursework to be a step up from high school, especially when it comes to problem-solving and applying theoretical concepts to real-world situations. On average, it's considered one of the tougher engineering disciplines, but if you stay organized, seek help when you need it, and really engage with the material, you'd be surprised at how much you can handle. Just be prepared to put in some serious effort!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering.
So, looking at these URI Mechanical Engineering grads, it seems like most of them are doing pretty well in terms of their careers and earnings potential. The earlier graduates, especially those at General Dynamics and Hasbro, likely have solid incomes since those companies are known for paying well. The 2017 and 2020 grads in the Army might have mixed financial situations depending on their roles, but military jobs generally come with decent salaries and benefits. The more recent grads, like those from 2022, are in starting positions, but they’re already at reputable companies, which is a good sign for their future earning power. Overall, it looks like they’re set to make decent money, especially as they gain more experience in their fields!
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 Rhode Island). 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: