To the Library!

The Edmon Low Library at Oklahoma State University is an amazing resource that is available to the students of OSU. The Library has a vast selection books spanning a variety of different subject matters so there is going to be something there for just about everyone. It is also a great place if you need a quiet place study or work on a paper or project. Once you finish that paper or project you have access to free printers so not only is it convenient its a great way to save money. But one of the best resources the Library has to offer is its website. Not only does it provide links to information on its website but also a variety of different online databases which are great resources to have at your disposal. It is also possible to narrow your search to your specific major or subject of study. My major, Mechanical Engineering Technology, falls into the Engineering Guide which covers pretty much all of the Engineering majors. The web address for this site is http://info.library.okstate.edu/engr. The librarian that is dedicated to helping students doing research on this subject is Kevin Drees. The homepage itself is pretty straight forward, there are tabs labeled Books, Articles, Standards, Technical Reports, Patents, and Keyword Alerts and EndNote. There is something called Library Chat which allows you the chat with people about how awesome the Library is or something like that. There is also information about the librarian and a picture of him so you know what he looks like if you ever need to look for him. There are links to a variety of different Engineering related websites and there is a feed to CNN.com- Technology to help keep you up to date about the wonderful world of technology. Under the Articles tab there links to online databases that include Compendex, Inspec, and Web of Science.  There are also links to more generic online databases like Academic Search Premier. This website has proved to be a valuable resource to have at your disposal and one that I will be using quite a bit from now on.

My Major

I am majoring in Mechanical Engineering Technology. When I tell this to people they always ask whats the difference between that and regular Mechanical Engineering and the best way I can describe it is in MET there is more of a hands on approach than regular ME. So MET courses usually involve more actually working with the different machines, equipment, and programs used in various manufacturing and design processes in the real world. Regular ME is more focused on theory and therefore is much broader. This is why MET is much more appealing to me because I prefer to work with my hands and to get into things to see how they work. I also chose this major because it is a very extensive field with many different job opportunities. At this moment I am leaning more to the design aspect of the field and possibly going into the automotive industry. I have always liked cars so I would really like to get a job in either the design or manufacturing process of the automotive industry. Professionals in this field discuss things like how can this product be produced faster? Is this the most cost effective to manufacture this product? How to cut down on material while retaining structural integrity? Such this is vast field with many different professions to choose from there is an endless number of questions that are discussed. If I do go into the automotive industry the contribution I would like to make is to help push the advancement of alternative fuel vehicles, whether it be hydrogen, electric, or bio fuel. I would like to be able to say I helped to make the gasoline powered car obsolete. If I could have any part in that I will be happy.

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical engineers are in production and components to create small new production techniques for major equipment and machinery involved. You can participate in only part of the process, such as the search for the product or process, or design, and test a product can be seen through to completion and implementation. Mechanical engineers are working to improve safety and efficiency and can be used in the manufacturing, healthcare and construction work to name a few - there are many other areas that require their services.

A mechanical engineer used to work as a team, possibly with other engineers from different backgrounds and need strong skills in project management and time management. Once the project is currently a mechanical engineer by training, ways need to put the theory to find and with other departments, customers, suppliers and customers for feedback in conjunction. Once the prototype was created, he or she will evaluate and improve products and processes, taking into account the impact on health and safety and the environment of the new systems.
Good management skills, both of people and resources are needed, and the mechanical engineer is responsible for the financial consequences.

Typical starting salaries are from £ 19,000 to £ 25,000, but you can vary by sector has been working in the high salaries range from £ 40,000 to £ 50,000, but again could be higher if there is a demand, especially for mechanical engineers in a particular industry. The times are usually can in the normal work week 5.9, but may be higher if the deadlines can be reached quickly. Shift schedules can work. Mechanical engineers are often used in offices, but to work by attending the workshops, factories and construction sites.

Women are underrepresented in only 6% in the profession, but there are measures to increase the average eg WISE (Women in Science, Engineering and Construction), or "Women Engineering Society that manages groups of students in universities.

There are many opportunities to find other jobs in areas with high production bias and more work is available abroad, especially in Eastern Europe to work.