Hello fellow Mechies! What makes Mechanical Engineering so awesome you ask? Well for one, there is something extremely fascinating about how things work. The internal combustion engine, for example, converts energy into mechanical motion, and there is nothing like the feel and sound of an engine spinning at 10,000 rpm to get your heart racing! Secondly, it’s such a broad field; you could end up designing, analyzing or manufacturing anything from transportation systems, to aircraft, to robotics, and to so much more!
Options are great and all, but the real feat is narrowing down your field of interests. Luckily for you, there is this amazing co-op program to help you out with that, so take advantage of it! Work in as many different fields as possible; it’s only four months out of your life, and so even if you hate it, at least you can say you tried.
In terms of academics, you will find it to be a lot of work just to get by, which will likely be a shock for many. Don’t worry though; hard work and determination can take you much further than you think. You may find that some of your first year courses are not related to mechanical, but do pay attention to everything you learn, because it all comes back! As far as the big picture goes, 1st and 2nd year is general engineering knowledge like calculus, materials, and mechanics of deformable solids, but 3rd and 4th year is when everything comes together and intertwines for fluids, manufacturing, and kinematics and dynamics of machines.
Although grades are important, so is being a well rounded person, especially in the working world, so be sure to get out there and try new things like student teams, the engineering society’s activities, intramural sports and whatever else will get you out and meeting new people.
Cheers,
-Cass
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