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[ncardanini]

Hi i'm just wrapping up my freshman year of college at the University of Arizona. I am planning on being a civil engineer. I am thinking about switching into mechanical engineering. I was wondering how hard is it to get a job in the field. I would want to specialize in suspension design.

[Bjkadron]

I'm not sure about what the job market is like. But I'm doing Mechanical engineering because I can't see myself anything else. And IMHO as long as anyone is making something they will need the help of a mechanical engineer. But it may not be designing suspensions.

[LateNight72]

Designing suspensions is a quite limited job market. However, the job market for a Mech. Engineer is much larger than the job market for a Civil Engineer, if you don't mind working on non-automotive related.

[69stang]

There are basically 2 trends in mechanical engineering. First, more and more companies are looking for their engineers to do the modeling & sometimes even the drafting. Historically engineers have done the calculations, designers the modeling and drafters the drawings. The second is smaller companies are doing without engineers and only using designers. My company does this with the only degreed engineer being the engineering manager. I'm a designer with a lot of hands-on engineering experience (I'm 4 months into a new job after 9-1/2 months of unemployment). That being said, the job market for mechanical engineering is next to nothing with the exception of the medical device industry. Around here we've had the loss of the GM assembly plant, delphi & supporting companies.

The field that has had steady job openings, though, is electronic engineering. Around here that has mostly centered around Wright-Pat AFB and the numerous defense projects that include many private sector companies who do business with the base. There seems to be a career fair at least once a month geared towards these supporting companies.

[justasquid]

This is merely my opinion, but with mechanical engineering, you do have more options than just automotive. And if you do go that route, I'd make sure to get some exposure to plastics and other processes that are becoming more prevelant.

However, I think I'd stick with civil engineering. While the demand may not be as high, there are far less civil engineers out there, so the job market is offset somewhat. And the number of unemployed mechanical engineers is high due to the automotive slowdown. Most of the mechanical engineers have taken lesser jobs, and are just waiting for another good one to come up, which will make landing a good job right out of college a little tougher. Also, its very hard to outsource civil engineering, while outsourcing mechanical engineering is becoming more and more common. India has taken a ton of work that would otherwise be designed here in the states, and it will continue to be that way as long things can be designed cheaper elsewhere. It doesn't cost anything to send an electronic file, so there is no overhead cost to worry about.

I think for the most secure job, I'd say its civil engineering. Stick with jobs that can't be outsourced, and your future should be good.

[dipren443]

This is merely my opinion, but with mechanical engineering, you do have more options than just automotive. And if you do go that route, I'd make sure to get some exposure to plastics and other processes that are becoming more prevelant.

However, I think I'd stick with civil engineering. While the demand may not be as high, there are far less civil engineers out there, so the job market is offset somewhat. And the number of unemployed mechanical engineers is high due to the automotive slowdown. Most of the mechanical engineers have taken lesser jobs, and are just waiting for another good one to come up, which will make landing a good job right out of college a little tougher. Also, its very hard to outsource civil engineering, while outsourcing mechanical engineering is becoming more and more common. India has taken a ton of work that would otherwise be designed here in the states, and it will continue to be that way as long things can be designed cheaper elsewhere. It doesn't cost anything to send an electronic file, so there is no overhead cost to worry about.

I think for the most secure job, I'd say its civil engineering. Stick with jobs that can't be outsourced, and your future should be good.

Hmmm, I think the fact that the two posts exclaiming a slowdown for the need in ME's in the area of Detroit have way more to do with the region than a nationwide trend. I think you are far more marketable as an ME. You may not be able to land a job in automotive engineering, but finding a job as an ME I think would be far easier than as a civil.

Last thing, you may be already aware, but as a civil, you will be required to take your EIT and eventually your PE 5 years after graduation.



As an ME, I could easily get you a job here in the Pittsburgh area. Toshiba is pumping tons of money into the recent purchase of Westinghouse Electric. We (Another large player in the Energy sector) are just getting ready to open up some req's for field engineers...

Anyhow, that is my 2 cents.

[derekf]

One thing that one of my teachers pointed out earlier this semester is that Civil Engineers tend to make slightly less than ME or EEs.

(Believe the chart he used to back it up was this one: http://www.aip.org/statistics/trends.../fall2003a.pdf )

[Happyfunballs]

Last thing, you may be already aware, but as a civil, you will be required to take your EIT and eventually your PE 5 years after graduation.

I didn't think it was required, but almost necessary if you want to pursue a job with local govt, i.e. highway dept, etc.



I(ME) have civils get my coffee in the morning.

Petroleum or Nuke eng is where the money is.

[dipren443]

I didn't think it was required, but almost necessary if you want to pursue a job with local govt, i.e. highway dept, etc.



I(ME) have civil's get my coffee in the morning.

Petroleum or Nuke eng is where the money is.

In a way you are right. You are only required to take the EIT as a Civil as most major universities prior to graduation. The PE isn't necessarily a requirement, but if you are in the field, its worth it.

Another ME here too. I thought about dropping some of the jokes about Civils, but I figured I might be nice to the OP...

[Happyfunballs]

Couldn't resist. The world can always use another engineer, whatever the discipline. My apologies to the OP. My alma mater required all graduating engineers to take the EIT.

[dipren443]

Couldn't resist. The world can always use another engineer, whatever the discipline. My apologies to the OP. My alma mater required all graduating engineers to take the EIT.

You know... Why sugar coat it. If he sticks with Civil, then he is going to hear them anyway. Better to hear them from friends ;)

Lets see....

Whats the difference between an ME and a CE?

Mechanical Engineers build weapons, civil engineers build targets.

[Bryce]

I am a recent grad, mechanical engineer working for an aerospace company for two years.

I would reccomend ME because it can open more doors. Civil is limited. Down the road the ME degree can get you into an automotve job.

My company hires 10 recent grads each year. So if you want to relocate to san diego, let me know I will put in a good word and get you an interview.

[dipren443]

Hmmm, who might you work for Bryce....???

Pratt? Lockheed?

[Bryce]

goodrich aerostructures.

[Happyfunballs]

Lets see....

Whats the difference between an ME and a CE?

Mechanical Engineers build weapons, civil engineers build targets.

Well done. Haven't heard that one.

[ncardanini]

Ive heard them all before. I think I am just going to stay civil. Im going to focus on land development. Hopefully I can open my own civil engineering business like everyone else in my family. Thanks for all the responses.