Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical

kmech,

I'm currently a student as well. I'm one semester away from graduating with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. My advice is look at your grades. If your GPA is under 3 and you're having a hard time getting it up than having double degree with lower GPAs isn't going to help. In this case I would just focus on one. Good grad schools are not going to take in people with low GPAs even if they have a double degree. Also, I'm not sure how far you've looked into this but a lot of people (including me at one point) get double degree and double major confused. Take a look here.

On the other hand, if you already know exactly what a double degree is and your grades are good, double degree will look more impressive on a resume than a single degree.

Either way, good luck.

-Paul

Thanks Paul for catching my common error. I would be pursuing a second-degree rather than a double major. Either way I go, thanks for the input.

Hi Kmech88,

Don't do things based on GPAs and years spent here or there. This is not a good way of approaching life. Once you're out there working GPAs do not mean anything. Do what interests you. Pursue interests where you find passion or at least a spark of enthusiasm if you haven't found your passion yet.

It doesn't matter if it takes another year or two (except for the added loans you might need).

Seek advice from career advisers if you have access to them. Your path is your path and although your friends may be graduating and moving on it doesn't necessarily mean that you have to, as well.

If computers interest you I would say to stick with that. Would having computer science as a minor give you enough base to continue in this field in a graduate program? It is a very competitive world out there and graduate school and internship experience will help you achieve your goals. Consider interning in the field you're interested in. This may provide proper training that could substitute for classes you may not have been able to take.

Do not limit yourself to thinking there is one path to get you where you want to be. My best advice is to talk to people in the field you're interested in. Many times once you're in the work world you will find that employers will finance any further education you might need.

I hope this is helpful...

You're right MintyFresh but GPA does matter if you want to go to a good grad school that is competitive for your field.

Hiya... yes GPAs are factored into an algorithm used by the admissions office but there are other criteria that get weighted into the formula as well.

I guess what I mean is once your foot is in the door or you are able to show your true knowledge and enthusiasm for a particular program or job you'll figure it all out! It is beneficial to know that there are many ways of approaching the situation which is the essence of what I was trying to say!

-thanks!

MintyFresh - -

Thanks for the advice. Ideally I'm looking at getting into a grad program that is doing research on thought controlled robotics. Most people keep telling me to look towards pursuing a degree in biomedical engineering but from my research it looks I'd have more options having two degrees, one in mechanical engineering, one in software engineering. As for the GPA factor, I have a decent enough GPA and have good internships for background experience so that doesn't concern me so much. It's more whether it's worth taking the time pursuing the second degree. However, I enjoy computers and programming so I think pursuing the second degree will be worth it regardless... Thanks again.

It's always worth pursing a second degree if you can afford it.

I work for a major oil company. A masters with a high GPA (3.5+) is worth $30,000 - 40,000 more on your first job offer. Get a masters while you are still in the school mode of your life.

Thank you kmech88 for bring the question, I am planning for a second degree and to go into Machine Automation. I graduated in 2005 with a degree in Electrical Engineering, now working as an Engineer. I want to do Mechanical Engineering on line but couldn't find the right on line college, as those that I have tried do not accept international students. As I come from Papua New Guinea, located in the South Paific Region.

Since than I have got replys from Penn Foster College for the Associate fo Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, which is a home study programme via mail box, with which I am planning to enroll for.

As I am hoping to go into Machine Automation (after some years) and want to develop a good understand of Mechanicals. Additionally I have been teaching my self PLC and its working out quite well.

My question is;

1. Are there on line colleges that will accept international students for a degree in Mechanical?

2. Will the Associate of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology give a found knowledge of Mechanical Engineering which I could use to go into Machine Automation with good PLC knowledge?

I welcome all to advice me on this.

While a through understanding of mechanical components is essential to working in automation, the focus of automation is increasingly electrical. With the plummeting costs of electrical components, many of the classical mechanical linkages and power transmission methods are being replaced with individual servos and micro-servos. Understanding the limitations and proper application of servos and becoming intimately familiar with the different manufacturers and models of equipment will be key to innovative automation for the next 20 years. Also familarize yourself with distributed control networks, all the communication protocols, and on-machine controllers (hardened devices that can be mounted near point-of-use rather than remotely in a cabinet or MCC). Another facinating sub-set of automation is safety control systems. Safety professionals with automation experience will be in high demand world-wide for the conceivable future. Good Luck!

Finish your engineering, write your MCAT and apply to medicine.

The pay is waaaaaaay better and engineering roles have paid less and less as the world goes global.

Really, if you are smart enough to get the engineering degree go in to medicine and try something like orthopedics.

Enjoy life, work hard and get paid too much.

Trust me....I live the experience and its great.