Career Growth in MechE

First, let's see what you think of this thread: BRAKING CALCULATION FOR GO KART

Give your analysis of what the student can do to get back on track.

First, seems like everything is at least 32 times bigger than it should be. I'd look at somebody else's calculations first, to get general idea and make sure no factors are missing.

Second, his results are obviously beyond common sense, so he needs to check for errors after each step.

Third, I believe that there are standard size tires, brake pads, other numerous parts, so he should pick those first, do calculations in reverse, see if it is close to their requirements. If not, play with parts, get the result they want. I doubt that they want to manufacture most of it.

Good enough.

What do you think you want to do?

Besides be rich and independent.

I have a friend who is an electrician who is working for (medical) pot growers who are betting on Arizona legalizing pot soon. So, Tornado may have a point.

There is a balance between what you want to do and what will come your way.

If you are a risk taker, throw the dice and see what comes up.

Look at employment website and see what's out there.

Others will have advice too.

Tobacco is so passé; transition to the pot industry. Learn lots about light and electricity, CAD, and stuff.

Living in WA, have you?

Large money is taking over the "legal" pot industry, I hear.

It's not an area I'm really interested in, but WA and AK are both trying to sort out the best ways to handle this.

I foresee the day when its illegal to smoke tobacco but legal to smoke pot.

<...what are the best tools/practices for excelling in mechanical engineering?...> Hard work, obviously, as in every other field.

Hard work is a myth. In a perfect world it would be the key to success. I've worked a lot of jobs and I've seen a lot of people busting their asses but they were treated like dogs. Most of the times you have to kiss somebody's ass to get somewhere. As a Russian saying goes, "the horse was the hardest worker at collective farm but she's never become the chairman".

If it is hard to do you are doing it wrong....was a mantra drummed into me by one of my mentors. This does not relinquish the need for effort though. Thought is also work. Think about that.

The horse story is good.

2 bobs' worth...

If you really feel that your current job is holding you back then you should change jobs.

Don't quit. Continue doing your job diligently as normal.

Start looking for work that lights your candle.

I'm not sure where in the tobacco industry you are a functional unit but wherever you are, subcontractors are bound to be used for possibly what you yearn to do. Chat with them if you can. A design/draftsman with a brain, enthusiasm and an ability (preference) to self manage is very employable.

On 6 sigma and other PM type certificates of recognition, I have considered this path myself at one stage. The requirement to be continually re-accredited (submission of papers and money) smelt a little off. You can learn and apply these skills without any formal accreditation. If you can read you can learn. PM as a function has been around since before the pyramids but has only become a stand alone profession in recent decades. Hmmmm.

If you really want to run your own business then study business and marketing. And study marketing. And marketing as well.

You need to be able to sell to survive. Yes it blows.

Garnering a solid track record of achievement (aka a reputation) is a good marketing strategy. Something you need to work on, and yeh, a new job may be the ticket.

I am retired Mech Engineer with 35 years of experience. Please note that in your working life it may not be possible to implement what ever you were taught in your classroom. You may be asked to do jobs which you would not like to do as engineer. But you have to do earn your bread.

As far as your career is concerned you should select the job of your liking if possible. You are lucky as you have selected mechanical engineering as your profession. It is very vast subject. In your life time you can go on learning new things. I suggest you should make strong foundation first and then become self employed engineer. Best thing would be to take up job of Maintenance Engineer so that you can have feel of different types of machines.

I remember we had developed a high rise storage system for storing tobacco factory where tobacco leaves palletised and stored in 10 meter high steel racks. It was first of its kind in this industry. You can think of similar devices for your present job.Any way best of LUCK.

Search through Education and Engineering Careers here in CR4 and you will find a lot of advice already given by contributors that may not be contributed to your thread here. You will find a lot of helpful hints and useful information.

Have you asked your current employer about other opportunities within the company? Don't be afraid to take on extra work outside of the engineering field.

After attending my first SMRP conference this year, I would recommend something like that as a great starting point. I know there are several others around Reliability/Maintenance/Manufacturing, such as MARCON, IMC, Reliable Plant, etc. Attend a conference, network and pick some training sessions to satisfy your thirst for more engineering knowledge.

As far as further education, I think you would be best served to go after an MBA. Those are the skills that will set you apart moreso than further engineering education.

My last suggestion would be to find another industry. I don't know the tobacco industry well, but I've worked in manufacturing of building materials, food and beverage and now pharmaceuticals. If you want to get into manufacturing, look for a growth industry with high margin products as a basic starting point. You'll find more money to do the things you want to do there.

Good luck!