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Mechanical Engineering

Major Information

Mechanical engineering involves practical application of mechanical and thermal sciences to research, design, develop, test, and manufacture a wide variety of products.  The diverse areas to which mechanical engineers contribute include transportation, power generation and energy conversion, environmental control and pollution abatement, noise control, and biomechanics.  Recent developments have increased interest in such areas as robotics, mechatronics, precision engineering, automated manufacturing systems, combustion, and propulsion.  

General Information

Degree(s) Offered:

  • Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering 
  • Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering 

Sample Occupations

  • Aerospace Engineer
  • Engineer Manager
  • Engineering Technologist
  • Systems Engineer
  • Sales Engineer
  • Process Engineer
  • Project Engineer
  • Design Engineer
  • Field Service
  • Machine and Product Design
  • Energy Exploration
  • Product Systems Evaluation
  • Drafter
  • Production Supervision
  • Engineer Technician
  • Plant Operations/ Management
  • Product Development
  • Systems Engineer

Sample Work Settings

  • Government Agencies
  • Consulting Engineering Firms
  • Utility companies
  • Private Laboratories
  • Industrial Firms
  • Manufacturing firm 

Sample Areas of Specialization

  • Robotics
  • Solar Applications
  • Computer Aided Design
  • Aerospace
  • Materials & Manufacturing Process
  • Energy
  • Product Design & Development
  • Engines
  • Automotive
  • Industrial Machinery
  • Utilities
  • Computers

Sample Employers

  • Gulfstream Aerospace
  • Georgia-Pacific LLC
  • Southern Nuclear
  • Georgia Power Company
  • Southern Company
  • Georgia Institute of Technology
  • SNF Holding Company
  • Great Dane
  • Textron Specialized Vehicles
  • US Army
  • Lockheed Martin
  • US Navy
  • Delta Air Lines
  • PCC Airfoils
  • AT&T
  • NASA – National Aeronautics and Space Administration
  • CB&I
  • Pratt & Whitney
  • Mitsubishi Power Systems Americas
  • Nordson Adhesive Dispensing Systems
  • Kimberly-Clark
  • Eagle Motorsports
  • Eaton – Lighting
  • Daniel Defense, Inc.
  • Continental

Connecting Majors, Skills, and Occupations

  • View learning outcomes associated with your major in the Georgia Southern Academic Catalog:

Georgia Southern Academic Catalog

  • Explore the connection between occupations and skills in O*Net:

www.onetonline.org

  • Use Handshake to upload your résumé and explore internships and jobs. For more information:

www.georgiasouthern.edu/ocpd

Internet Resources

To explore values, interests, and skills:

FOCUS 2 bit.ly/focuscareer

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) – $15

Self Directed Search – $15

http://students.georgiasouthern.edu/career/s tudents/assessments/

To explore occupational outlooks and salaries:

National Compensation Survey

www.bls.gov/ncs/

National Association of College and Employers  (NACE) 

http://www.myjsi.com/NACE/jobseekers/salary-calculator.php

Professional Organizations

Association of Energy Engineers

www.aeecenter.org

American Solar Energy Society 

www.ases.org

American Nuclear Society 

www.new.ans.org

Georgia Southern Student Organizations

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

SAE Eagle Motorsports

Pi Tau Sigma International Mechanical Engineering Honor Society (PTS)

Society of Women Engineers (SWE)

Professional Tips

  • Complete a Mechanical Engineering  internship/co-op. 
  • Join an organization such as ASME.
  • Consider taking the exam for an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Certification and Professional Engineering (PE) License in Georgia.
  • For undergraduate students looking to obtain a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, consider applying for the  Accelerated Bachelor’s Master’s (ABM) program.

Résumé Tips

  • Include ABET accreditation in the Education section if you are obtaining an undergraduate degree.
  • Include project experiences such as senior capstone project.
  • Include additional certifications such as EIT.
  • Include technical skills such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, & ANSYS.
  • Include professional associations such as ASME.

Last updated: 6/28/2013