Mechanical Engineering question!
I was thinking about going to school for it way before thinking to apply it with racing but I need some questions answered. Even if I do I won't be qualified for a long time so hopefully you guys will respond. I was gonna go the uti route but I don't want to work at a dealership and do the race team thing but I won't be able to race on the weekends. What's the starting pay for an entry level position? Will I still be able to race on the weekends? How hard would it be to get a job? In what other fields could I apply that degree? I know there will be allot of building, will i be taught to weld? I have been taking apart and building things(nothing special) since a kid and I have allot of ideas. I hope I get some good responses so I can finally make a choice and start school. If you don't want to give any info publicly please pm or email me.
Rich
"Knowledge is Good" - Faber College
Here's my take....I have a ME degree.
Engineering principles and fabrication principles are two diffent animals. Being good at one isn't always a sure path to the other.
I believe that a good engineering foundation in any of the mechanical areas such as strees, structures, fluids, thermal, materials etc. will provide a strong foundation to further develop fabrication skills. You need to know what to put where and what to make it from before you start.
While I'm not a great welder (just don't do it enough......in racing that may be a good thing), I can design and spec out what I need and sub it out. Yet I marvel at the craftsmanship and the process that yield the rsults. Think Mark Donahue and Dan Gurney.
A ME degree offers broader opportunities IMHO and potentialy more discressionary income and both offer the opportunity to get your hands dirty.
Either way you need to do something that you enjoy.
That's why I'm in IT:ha:
"Knowledge is Good" - Faber College
FAT; DUMB AND STUPID, IS NO WAY TO GO THROUGH LIFE ... :beer:
Not all engineering schools are the same.
Certainly a professional degree will provide more opportunities for higher salary and advancement.
If you are one of the fortunate who can take 4-5 years to pursue a BSME it is well worth your time.
If you can't right now then a mechanics certification through a technical school or an associates degree in engineering technology is a viable start. Just be aware that you will likely be back in school in the near future for additional training. If you are lucky howver, you may have an employer who will help pay. It is quite likely that you could end up getting a degree beyond a BSME as well. I returned for my MBA after only two years in the work force.
Not all BSME programs are equal on focus and perscpective. Some are long on theory and do not require more practicle skills such as computer aided design or machine shop training. Others put much more emphasis on labs and hands on work.
There are also schools with motorsports related programs such as IUPUI (Indiana University Perdue University Indianapolis) or University of North Carolina Charlotte.
The SAE student design competitions are excellent opportunites to gain practical training and gain hands on experience. If you attend a smaller school participation in such programs can be much more difficult because of time required and getting funding.
Respectfully, .....apologies to parents
Go away to college ............