First, some facts. Of the Mechanical Engineering graduates from University of Rochester 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 13 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 76%, Mechanical Engineering graduates from University of Rochester have a higher likelihood (+9%) 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, 46% 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: 46%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2021 from University of Rochester with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Mechanical Engineering. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONProject ManagerChirco Land Development May 2021 - Aug 2021 Process Support Manager - Operations Anheuser-Busch Aug 2021 - Feb 2023 Business Process Manager-Bottle Line 60 Anheuser-Busch Feb 2023 - Dec 2023 Area Manager Anheuser-Busch Dec 2023 - Mar 2024 Utilities Business Process Manager Anheuser-Busch Mar 2024 - Present ABOUTMechaincal Engineering background with experience in high speed manufacturing for the beer bottling and canning with Anheuser-Busch in Merrimack NH. In role as a bottle line manager, accountable for line finances, performance, safety and quality standards, and maintenance planning. Accountable for a team of 18 direct reports for the bottle line, who maintains and operate the line to a high level. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the career paths of graduates from the University of Rochester who majored in Mechanical Engineering, it’s clear that many of them have landed in positions that utilize their engineering skills, particularly in technical roles. A significant number of alumni have found themselves working as Mechanical Engineers at places like General Dynamics and Hitachi, where they engage deeply with design and analysis—essentially doing what they were trained for in college. There’s also a decent representation of graduates in quality engineering roles, where they apply their knowledge to ensure that products meet specific standards, which again is a direct connection to their mechanical engineering studies. Other notable engineering positions include roles at Walt Disney Imagineering and various impactful developer roles in solar energy and optical engineering, highlighting a variety of industries finding value in their engineering expertise.
However, not every job on the list relates well to mechanical engineering. For example, a few graduates ended up in positions like catering manager or risk control specialist, which seem quite removed from the technical foundations of their degree. Even roles that might touch on engineering principles, such as project managers or business process managers at companies like Anheuser-Busch, often focus more on general management and oversight rather than hands-on engineering work. Overall, while many graduates successfully transitioned into relevant mechanical engineering roles, there's a noticeable subset of individuals whose jobs don't closely connect with the specialized training they received, suggesting that a degree in mechanical engineering can lead to a variety of paths, not all strictly engineering-focused. This variety reflects the diverse nature of careers available and how engineering skills can be applied in unexpected 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 Rochester):
Graduates from the University of Rochester with a degree in Mechanical Engineering seem to generally follow a career path that aligns well with their field of study. For many, like the 2013 grad who climbed the ranks at General Dynamics Mission Systems, their first job often involves stepping directly into engineering roles. Over time, these individuals tend to advance within the engineering sphere, taking on more responsibilities and moving into senior positions. This trend continues at five or ten years out, with many graduates landing roles as senior engineers, project managers, and even specialized positions in thriving companies, showcasing that they've remained in the mechanical engineering field and found success.
However, it's worth noting that this isn't the case for everyone. Some graduates from the class of 2015, for instance, moved into areas like risk control and quality engineering, and while these roles can still be relevant to their engineering background, they might not necessarily be pure mechanical engineering jobs. A few others like the 2017 graduates appear to have taken paths that do not lead directly into engineering roles right after graduation. Overall, though, many of these graduates seem to be doing well in their careers, either in robust engineering roles or related fields, which suggests that the skills they gained at the University of Rochester provide a strong foundation for a variety of career options.
So, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, whether at the University of Rochester or elsewhere, can be pretty challenging. The curriculum typically includes a lot of tough subjects like calculus, physics, and advanced mechanics, which can really test your math and problem-solving skills. At Rochester, the coursework is rigorous, and you'll probably have to put in long hours studying and working on projects. It's not the kind of program you can cruise through—most students find it requires a solid commitment and a genuine interest in the field. While some might find it easier than other engineering degrees, it generally has a reputation for being on the harder side due to the depth and breadth of the material covered. So, if you’re looking to tackle this kind of degree, be prepared to work hard and stay focused!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering.
From what I can see, it looks like the Mechanical Engineering grads from the University of Rochester are generally doing pretty well for themselves, money-wise. Most of the folks here have climbed the career ladder fairly quickly, moving from entry-level positions up to senior roles, especially those who stayed with companies like General Dynamics and Hitachi. The ones who landed roles at places like Walt Disney Imagineering and the US Navy likely have solid salaries to boot. Even the ones starting out now, like the grad from 2023, are likely looking at decent pay, especially with military benefits. Overall, it seems like they’ve been able to leverage their degrees into good job opportunities and, presumably, good money!
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 Rochester). 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: