Here's Why Mechanical Engineering Is A Great Degree

Summary

This video explores the value of a mechanical engineering degree, highlighting its versatility and high earning potential with an average starting salary of $67,000 and mid-career pay around $111,000. It emphasizes the degree's broad application, leading to diverse career paths and an impressive lifetime earning of $3.5 million. The video also touches on job satisfaction, market demand, and the low likelihood of automation, concluding with an overall score of 8.75 out of 10, positioning mechanical engineering as a strong, though challenging, career choice.

Takeaways

• 🎓 A mechanical engineering degree is one of the oldest and broadest categories of engineering, focusing on the design, development, and implementation of mechanical devices and systems.
• 📚 Mechanical engineering classes emphasize materials science, engineering physics, and mathematics, preparing students for a versatile career in various engineering-related professions.
• 💰 With a mechanical engineering degree, early career salaries average around $67,000 per year, increasing to approximately $111,000 in mid-career, and an average lifetime earning potential of $3.5 million.
• 🏆 Engineering degrees are highly respected and versatile, offering numerous career paths even outside traditional engineering roles, due to the recognition of the degree's rigor and problem-solving skills.
• 🌟 Job satisfaction for mechanical engineering graduates is above average, with a score of 69, and the degree is the third least regretted type of degree, with only about 15% of people regretting their choice to major in it.
• 📈 The demand for mechanical engineers is significant, with 316,000 jobs available and a growth rate of 4%, indicating a stable job market for this profession.
• 🛠️ Mechanical engineering skills are in high demand, ranking 77 out of 100 in terms of value to businesses, and the likelihood of automation in this field is low, suggesting job security.
• 🌐 The versatility of a mechanical engineering degree allows for career paths in various industries, including potential roles in coding, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
• 📊 Engineering degrees generally lead to higher lifetime earnings compared to other fields, with mechanical engineering being no exception, offering a high earning potential across different career paths.
• ⚠️ While mechanical engineering degrees offer numerous benefits, they are also known for their difficulty, requiring a significant commitment to study and a strong foundation in mathematics and sciences.
• 🔑 The difficulty of engineering degrees and their high respect in the job market can be a double-edged sword, offering great opportunities but also presenting challenges that require dedication and continuous learning.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of mechanical engineering?

Mechanical engineering focuses on designing, developing, building, and implementing mechanical devices and systems. It is one of the oldest and broadest categories of engineering.

What are the main subjects covered in mechanical engineering classes?

Classes for mechanical engineering typically focus on materials science, engineering physics, and mathematics.

How many mechanical engineering graduates are there per year, and what is the starting salary like?

There are around 35,000 mechanical engineering graduates per year, and they start off making around $67,000 a year in their early career.

What is the average mid-career salary for someone with a mechanical engineering degree?

In mid-career, individuals with a mechanical engineering degree can expect to make around $111,000 a year.

How does the earning potential of an engineering degree compare to other degrees over a lifetime?

Engineering degrees tend to have a higher earning potential over a lifetime, with the average degree earning around $2.4 million, while engineering degrees earn about $3.5 million.

What is the job satisfaction score for mechanical engineering graduates, and how does it compare to other careers?

Mechanical engineering graduates have a job satisfaction score of around 69, which is above average compared to other careers.

What is the demand for mechanical engineers in the job market, and how does it compare to other engineering fields?

There are 316,000 jobs available for mechanical engineers, growing at an average rate of 4%. This is considered average compared to other engineering fields, which may have slower growth rates and fewer job openings.

What additional skills might be beneficial for a mechanical engineer to learn to stay competitive in the job market?

Mechanical engineers might benefit from learning modern skills such as simulation, computational design, coding, statistics, and business skills to stay competitive.

How does the likelihood of automation affect the demand for mechanical engineering skills, and what is the automation likelihood score for mechanical engineering?

The likelihood of automation for mechanical engineering is very low, with a score of about 1.1 out of 100, indicating that the skills learned are highly resistant to automation.

What is the overall score given to a mechanical engineering degree based on the video script, and what factors contribute to this score?

The overall score given to a mechanical engineering degree in the video script is 8.75 out of 10, considering factors such as salary, job satisfaction, demand, flexibility, and the potential for entrepreneurship.

What are some of the challenges or cons of pursuing a mechanical engineering degree, as mentioned in the script?

Some challenges of pursuing a mechanical engineering degree include the difficulty of the coursework, the need to continuously learn new skills due to rapid industry changes, and the potential requirement for additional studies for higher-paying careers.