Jobs for the Major
How this major affects a job search
If your goal in life is to put stuff together, mechanical engineering is for you. Once you enter the job market, paying off your student loans will be a snap. The unemployment is about the same as everybody else, but your earnings will be much higher. Hey, if you got it, you got it.
If you kept your nose to the grindstone instead of just building Lego houses all through college, you'll be able to head into a variety of different industries. Just about anything that moves has required a mechanical engineer at some point, so if you like boats, swim on over; if you like space shuttles, blast on over to NASA.
One thing to keep in mind here is that experience is highly valued in the field. If you want to score a sweet job that'll result in an obnoxiously full bank account, you'll need to be sporting some sweet gigs on your resume.
Keep in mind that your functional Lego Star Destroyer unfortunately will not speak as loudly as an internship at Lockheed Martin.
Common Career Fields
Automotive Industry: Designing automobiles has been an extremely important job in the world's culture for an entire century, and with the advent of hoverboards still far off in the horizon (though not too far off), it'll remain this way for a couple years. This is especially true since more and more companies are instituting hybrids, and even fully electric cars like those produced by Tesla, into their lineups. From designing new gas tanks to completely redesigning the structure, mechanical engineers are instrumental in this field.
Construction: In order to build bigger and better buildings, we need engineers that can design bigger and better machinery. After all, humans were using wooden sticks and mud to put together houses until the mechanical engineers of their time came up with better tools. Sticks and mud became cement and steel. Engineers may be contracted to help erect buildings themselves, or to work alongside the architects and project managers to ensure that the structure will be safe.
Defense Industry: Working for organizations like the Department of Defense is a great way to win those inevitable "Who's doing better?" conversations at high school reunions or Thanksgiving dinner. Working in this industry means monitoring equipment and systems, and suggesting corrective action when problems arise. Before projects are finalized, it will fall into your hands to make sure all of the diagrams and documents are in order and correct. The safety of your country depends upon it. No pressure or anything, though.
Electronics: You'll be able to work in just about any industry out there if you get into the electronics side of mechanical engineering. This includes the automotive, medical, military, and construction industries. Anything that has an electrical current going through it will require one of these engineers—from video game systems to vacuum cleaners. While you can surely make a career out of working in only one part of the electronics sector, you could also bounce around to those different industries and offer them your expertise.
Innovation and Design: This industry is for people who are looking to be on the cutting edge of mechanical technology. They're the people in the back rooms scribbling away with pencils or pecking away at keyboards in an effort to create new gadgets that'll make our lives easier…and sell for millions. Any time you've heard the phrase, "We're working on ___" in a commercial, "we" refers to the innovation and design team. Many companies rely on these folks in order to stay on top.
Marine Industry: Mechanical engineers aren't landlocked. In fact, one of the most iconic symbols of wealth (le yacht) is found exclusively on water. Engineers in the marine industry create super cool aquatic vessels. Hundreds of years ago, this may have just meant making a ship that wouldn't sink. Psh, easy. Now, there are exciting new projects like water-based jetpacks and boats that can travel over 250 MPH. Yeah, that is actually a thing.
Railways: Many people believe the rail systems in the U.S. have become relics of the past, but in reality, freight trains are more active than ever. With more and more products being shipped around the country, it's essential that we maintain and improve the rail systems already in place. Engineers increase efficiency while also securing the safety of everyone on the train—not to mention the countless other people who could be affected by a derailing.
Current unemployment of the major
5.5%Percentage of majors who get a higher degree after college
38%Stats obtained from this source.