The Experience as a Mechanical Engineer - Assignment Example

?My experience as a mechanical engineer and my thoughts and how to handle the career Introduction In this report, I have shared my experience as a Mechanical Engineer and have made recommendations based on the lessons I have learnt in my career so far. This report compiles my reflection and provides an insight into the responsibilities and capabilities of a Mechanical Engineer. My reflection has led me to the conclusion that there is nothing as valuable as experience. One cannot succeed as a Mechanical Engineer unless one is passionate about learning continuously throughout the career. When we get the undergraduate degree, we feel like we have the knowledge of everything that is required in the Mechanical Engineering. But that happens to be just the first step. The field of Mechanical Engineering is so diverse and dynamic with the rapid advancement of technology that one constantly needs to upgrade one’s skills as a Mechanical Engineer. Strengths As a Mechanical Engineer, one gets to work in a variety of settings. This not only builds knowledge but also expands one’s social network with other professionals from his/her field. As a licensed professional Mechanical Engineer, one can review the design drawings and has the authority to sign them off. One gets the opportunity to supervise and manage a diverse team. With experience, a Mechanical Engineer gets more and more skilled and independent. Becoming a Professional Engineer enables one to establish one’s own design and consultancy firm. Weaknesses Mechanical Engineering is a very vast field comprising numerous subjects. Although the knowledge is infinite, yet one’s ability to learn and really master an area of Mechanical Engineering is limited by a number of constraints including time, type and nature of job, and responsibilities outside the work. Once I entered my professional career as a Mechanical Engineer after getting my degree, my skills developed in a specific field of Mechanical Engineering. While I excelled in that area, I remained distant from the other areas of knowledge for the duration of my job. Thus, when I resigned from my job, my chances of getting another job related to the area of my experience were high, but getting a job related to other areas of Mechanical Engineering was equally difficult. One can have ten years of experience as a Mechanical Engineer and yet be no different than a fresh university graduate if one switches to an area of Mechanical Engineering that one has not had a prior experience in. Opportunities One thing that I love about Mechanical Engineering is that the scope of this field of engineering is very large. Mechanical Engineers have opportunities waiting for them in every part of the world in general and in the advanced countries in particular. The technological advancement is an opportunity to enhance one’s engineering skills. The contemporary organizations encourage innovation as a means to find the solutions of problems. The changes that have taken place in the curriculum of Mechanical Engineering are another opportunity. Computerized training is an essential part of the latest curriculum of Mechanical Engineering in a vast majority of the engineering colleges around the world. Competence in the use of softwares and their knowledge is what provides the Mechanical Engineers with an edge in the market in the present age. Challenges The field of Mechanical Engineering is quite dynamic. The pace of technological advancement has increased over the past few decades. Many industries are employing latest technology using complex systems. A major threat in the field of Mechanical Engineering is collapse of the motor vehicle industries that has created a void in the employment opportunities for the Mechanical Engineers. In addition to that, the global financial crisis that started in 2008 has posed numerous challenges to the engineering fraternity. Many Mechanical Engineers have lost their jobs as a result of downsizing attempts made by their companies which has lowered the morale of the engineers. The financial crisis reduced the employment opportunities for the Mechanical Engineers on one hand, and on the other hand, they experienced difficulties in getting funds from their sponsors in order to continue the process of research and development in order to come up with innovative solutions to the problems of Mechanical Engineering. However, the economic recession is now receding and the condition and opportunities of employment in the market are better than what they were few years ago. The field of Mechanical Engineering has the problem of alienation that is least appreciated since the innovative solutions have a direct impact on the quality of life of the people. Although becoming a Mechanical Engineer is a fascinating idea, yet not everybody who graduates is successful in identifying his/her area of expertise that suits his/her individualistic strengths and competences. Main goal My main goal as a Mechanical Engineer is to make best use of my knowledge and skills acquired in getting the Bachelor degree by finding innovative solutions to the problems of Mechanical Engineering. Motivation To propose environment- friendly and cost effective solutions to the challenges surrounding Mechanical Engineering in the present age. Action steps To work as a part of team of Mechanical Engineers on a large scale project. Preferably, I would like to work in a firm that values creativity and diversity so that I may have interaction with Mechanical Engineers and experts from a variety of backgrounds and with different fields of experience related to Mechanical Engineering. This will hopefully happen in the next two months. To be able to work independently on a major project. Since it takes some time to understand a project and develop the necessary skills to deliver the work, it might take me up to three months to be able to work independently. To foster good and strong relations with my colleagues. Developing good relations with the coworkers always helps. For one, it helps one get settled in the new environment and secondly, one knows who is the right person to approach for help in case any assistance is required. Since understanding the colleagues, coworkers, and peers in a new setting takes some time, I would hopefully develop a level of comfort with my colleagues within the first three months of my job. Obstacles The first obstacle that most Mechanical Engineers face is lack of funds. In order to come up with innovative solutions, research is required that consumes money. Inexperienced teammates are difficult to deal with. They require extensive demonstration of work before they can assist one with the progress of the project. The deadlines are very important in Mechanical Engineering works. Crossing a deadline might be a very expensive decision, and the deadlines are still tough to adhere to. Resources A calendar is a must in order to keep track of time and finish the projects within the deadlines Continued professional development opportunities are sought by every Mechanical Engineer who wants to excel in his/her field. Action starters In order to progress, it is imperative that new events should be commenced frequently. Ideally, a new event starts with the start of every week. It is advisable for the Mechanical Engineers to establish their milestones as they help in reaching the ultimate goals. It is a good idea to identify colleagues that have enough resources to help one take over a project as a joint venture. Conclusion My internship experience added a lot to my knowledge and helped me take my first step forward as a Mechanical Engineer. Passion, dedication, and a quest for learning are compulsory elements in order to excel as a Mechanical Engineer. Innovative solutions to the problems are worked out with unique ideas, research, experimentation, resources and funds. This requires due support of the management. Read More