A riddle for you: What do wind turbines, spacecraft and nanochips have in common? Mechanical engineers<\/em> \u2014 the people who understand how machines and related elements work on a physical level and how each component and process plays its part in the larger picture of a system.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Demand for mechanical engineers is booming according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/a>. Not only that, but the average annual salary for jobs in the field is more than double the national average. That makes mechanical engineering a lucrative and exciting industry to be a part of.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n And that makes earning a mechanical engineering degree a proven way for you to gain in-demand skills and broad-based expertise that lead to new career opportunities.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cMechanical engineers are here to stay!\u201d said Lanell Nolf, Oregon State University\u2019s employer relations manager for the College of Engineering. \u201cThey will continue to be in high demand globally. Their skills allow them to work across many industries like manufacturing, automotive, biotechnology, semiconductor, agriculture, health care, aerospace and commercial construction.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Studying mechanical engineering will ensure you have a keen understanding of the processes you\u2019re working with and prepare you to work in a wide variety of engineering roles. In fact, mechanical engineering is often cited as one of the most widely applicable engineering degrees<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Earning your bachelor\u2019s degree in mechanical engineering online<\/a> from Oregon State goes beyond traditional mechanical engineering, too. With an industry-leading emphasis in computational engineering you\u2019ll be immersed in the world of digital simulation and virtual problem solving. You\u2019ll learn to leverage cutting-edge tools and techniques to solve complex engineering challenges that are too difficult or expensive to solve with physical experiments alone.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n With this specialization, your work could help design the next generation of wind turbine or simulate the function of groundbreaking medical devices within the body. Through powerful modeling, simulation and mathematical techniques, you\u2019ll drive innovation across industries from aerospace and automotive to energy and manufacturing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n So, with a core focus on learning how things work and solving complex problems, what can you do with a bachelor\u2019s degree in mechanical engineering? Let\u2019s explore three different industries and their possibilities.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In manufacturing, mechanical engineers with computational engineering expertise can apply their knowledge broadly, thanks to a handy invention called the PLC \u2014 programmable logic controller. PLCs make the difference between a manufacturing production line being managed mechanically and an entire series of lines being managed robotically with mechanical, electrical, software and control systems.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In mechanical engineering positions specifically, 32% of all mechanical engineers<\/a> work in the manufacturing of a variety of items, including consumer products, machinery, equipment and tools.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The manufacturing industry features a variety of potential career options for people with a mechanical engineering degree including manufacturing engineer<\/a>, industrial engineer<\/a>, computational engineer, process engineer or mechatronics engineer<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Mechanical engineering core competencies like fluid dynamics, robotics, thermodynamics and materials engineering all apply to a variety of transportation industries, including automotive, aviation, rail, marine and even space exploration. If you\u2019re interested in making things go<\/em>, this is the right major for you.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Beyond design and manufacturing, mechanical engineers may find themselves working toward more eco-friendly fuel solutions, building and maintaining railways that can support ever-increasing high speeds, life-saving safety improvements and implementing engine efficiencies.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Possible job roles for mechanical engineers in the transportation sector \u2014 other than mechanical engineer \u2014 include automotive engineer<\/a>, transportation planner<\/a>\u00a0and aerospace engineer<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n One of the core principles of mechanical engineering is innovation. What better way to apply that guiding ideal than making our world more sustainable? In the expansive energy field, mechanical engineers can make a major impact through wind, solar, nuclear and even experimental solutions that haven\u2019t been invented yet.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If you\u2019re interested in the energy industry, the U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy offers a handy tool to map careers<\/a> in a variety of specific growth areas, all of which list openings for mechanical engineers. Consider how Oregon State\u2019s online humanitarian engineering certificate<\/a> might fit into your career goals, too.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Other job opportunities for those with a mechanical engineering degree include fuel cell engineer<\/a>,\u00a0 wind energy engineer<\/a>, solar systems engineer<\/a>\u00a0and energy engineer<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Machines\u2026 and humans? Believe it or not, mechanical engineers have the capacity to make an impressive impact on the human experience. Leveraging up-and-coming technologies like soft robotics, nanotechnology and additive manufacturing (aka 3D printing), mechanical engineers can help in the medical field through the design of prosthetics, implants and more.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In fact, mechanical engineering graduates make up a large portion of biomedical engineers. According to Teal<\/a>, \u201cThe analytical and problem-solving skills gained [in a mechanical engineering program] are crucial for innovation and design in biomedical engineering.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In the realm of medicine, mechanical engineers can seek out positions like nanotechnology engineer, biomedical engineer, bioengineer<\/a> or materials engineer<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The practical application of skills is an essential part of learning mechanical engineering. With that in mind, Nolf \u2014 the College of Engineering\u2019s employer relations manager \u2014 recommends \u201chaving two engineering internships or work-related experiences prior to graduation to be competitive.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n As an Oregon State online learner, you\u2019ll get access to Oregon State\u2019s Career Development Center<\/a>, a resource that can help you find an internship, no matter where you\u2019re located in the U.S.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n And because a mechanical engineering degree program has such varied applications, you can enhance your learning experience by pursuing an additional credential or graduate school. Some great options from Oregon State include:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n You can also explore Oregon State\u2019s 100+ online degrees, certificates and microcredentials<\/a> and find a program that fits with your area of interest.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMechanical engineering jobs are vast and varied<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Manufacturing jobs for mechanical engineers<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Engineering and transportation jobs<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Energy engineering jobs<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Biomedical engineering jobs<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Build on your online mechanical engineering degree<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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So, how do you make your next move?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n