Do you have the essential mechanical engineering skills needed to be successful? Find out using this extensive list of 23 mechanical engineering skills students should learn.
Sitting in your heat transfer class you might be wondering, when am I going to use this. Or if you are like me, you are hoping you never have to see it again!
Mechanical engineering is the broadest engineering discipline. Therefore, during your undergraduate studies, you will learn many subjects. Unfortunately, most you will never use (I am referring to you Calculus 4).
The objective of a bachelor’s degree is to expose you to a variety of subjects so that you know they exist and you can use them if needed. The other purpose is to help you figure out what industry in which you want to work.
Thus, it can be overwhelming to identify the skills you need to be successful in the real world. After working as a mechanical engineer for seven years, I have compiled a list of the competencies that all mechanical engineering students should learn to be effective. From communication to statistics, these are the essential skills you should acquire if you are pursuing a mechanical engineering degree.
Mechanical Engineering Skills: 23 Things You Need To Learn
These skills are categorized as technical or soft skills. Technical skills are the ones everyone associates with engineering. Most of these you should learn through your courses, project work, and internship experience.
Soft Skills, also known as people skills, are the ones often not taught in school. However, they are arguably just as important as technical skills. Surprisingly, 92% of talent professionals say soft skills matter as much or more than hard skills when they hire. Why? Because these skills typically are difficult to teach, as opposed to technical skills which you learn in school.
Technical Skills
1. Use Of Lab Equipment
As an engineer, you will consistently perform testing. Therefore, the more equipment you can familiarize yourself with the better. Try to learn how to use the equipment and what type of data you can obtain from it. You can get this experience from internships, lab courses, and working in a professor’s research lab.
2. Statistics and Data Analysis
This might be one of the least emphasized skills in college. However, it is one of the only things engineers use every day. My undergraduate degree did not require me to take a statistics class, which caused me to be behind in this area. If you can, make sure you take a stats class. Better yet, teach yourself how to use Minitab, which is the statistical software used across many industries. The tutorials are great. Also, it will look impressive on your resume and put you ahead of your peers!
3. Computer Software Skills
Knowing how to use different computer software is vital. There are programs most engineers should know (SOLIDWORKS, Minitab, Excel), but many companies have their own systems as well. These require on the job training. Demonstrating your aptitude for different software confirms you will be able to learn the new systems quickly.
Pro tip: MIT offers free online courses in a variety of subjects. If you do not want to pay to take extra classes to add to your skillset, check these out!
4. Part, Process, and Product Design
Understanding the New Product Development Process is a must. Each company has its own variation. However, they all follow the same basic framework. No matter what function you are in, manufacturing, product design, or quality, you will have tasks in each phase of the process. You can learn more about each phase in the New Product Development Process series.
5. Test Method Development
No matter what industry you go into there will be testing. You need to be able to detail every step you took to perform a test so that it can be repeated. I know lab courses can seem tedious, but try and practice this there.
6. Technical Writing
Ironically many people (including myself) go into engineering because they do not like English or writing. Well, it turns out that engineers write a lot. Technical reports, test methods, lab notebooks, work instructions, and emails are just a few examples of types of written communication involved in engineering. The ability to convey your ideas through writing is paramount in engineering. I highly recommend taking a technical writing course in college as an elective. It will pay off! Another great and free tool to use is Grammarly. It is a Chrome extension that acts as your editor. This software can immediately help improve your writing.
7. Create and Read Technical Drawings
This is probably one of the skills everyone associates with mechanical engineering. Your undergraduate degree should include one computer-aided design (CAD) class where you learn how to use the software, such as SOLIDWORKS. If it does not, make sure you add one to your schedule. Employers assume all mechanical engineering majors have a basic knowledge of CAD software.
8. Problem-solving Skills
The one constant in engineering is problem-solving. That is where the majority of an engineer’s time is spent. These challenges can range from technical issues to people management. You need to be able to identify, assess, take action, and resolve obstacles. College does not teach you this directly, but indirectly through your project work. These assignments are the most valuable learning experiences you will take away from your undergraduate experience because they test your analytical skills the best.
9. Mechanical Aptitude
This is probably the most obvious skill engineers need on the list. The degree you are in the process of earning is the start of your technical training. Your college courses should help you meet most of the job-specific technical requirements. Internships and co-ops supplement your education by adding more practical skills. If you have not had an internship try to work or volunteer in a professor’s research lab. These opportunities can help you get hands-on experience. The projects you complete as part of your coursework will add to your mechanical aptitude as well.
10. Knowledge Of A Specific Topic
Learning about a topic, whether it be a process, material, software, or equipment, is a great way to make yourself stand out. While working on your undergraduate degree, try to identify a topic that interests you. It can be anything from injection molding to biomaterials. Try to find something relating to the industry you want to go into and take electives strategically in that niche or pick up a minor in that field of study. This planning can help you get an internship in that specialty, which can lead to a full-time job when you graduate.
For instance, I determined I enjoyed biomechanics and wanted to design medical devices. Therefore, I used my electives to take courses relating to biomechanics, which led to me getting a concentration in it. My concentration differentiated me from my mechanical peers. It helped me get an internship at a medical device company, which then turned into my full-time job.
Soft Skills
11. Leadership Skills
Although you are probably not going to get a management job right after college, this skill is still applicable. Engineers plan projects, lead meetings, resolve conflicts, and delegate tasks, which are all qualities of a leader. When applying to internships, it is vital to show you successfully led a team project. This will demonstrate you understand the overall goal of a project and the individual tasks that need to be completed. So on the next group project, step up and take on a leadership role to practice this skill!
12. Time Management
Engineers work on many projects at the same time, all with different deadlines. Therefore, the ability to successfully manage time and understand your work priorities is crucial. Your demanding class schedule should help you establish a time management system that works for you.
13. Effective Communication
Engineers are consistently working with others. Therefore, you must be able to communicate your ideas with technical and non-technical people. You can work on this by speaking technically with your classmates. Then, try explaining some of your projects to non-technical friends and family. The more effectively you can communicate, the more successful you will be as an engineer.
14. Attention To Detail
Engineers review many documents, so you need great attention to detail to ensure nothing is missed. Engineers also write procedures and test methods that others are required to follow. Every step must be documented, to ensure others can run the test or build the product correctly. By following directions on your assignments and lab work can help prepare you for the real world.
15. Resourcefulness
One of the keys to being successful at your job is knowing the right resource or person to go to when you need help. No one expects you to know all the answers, but you will be expected to figure out how to get the answer. Try to identify subject matter experts within your field in which you can reach out. If you are in college, here are some helpful places to look for resources:
- Clubs relating to your major
- Colleagues and upperclassmen
- Professors and teaching assistants
- On-campus resources, such as tutoring centers
- Blogs and websites
16. Decision-making Skills
Being decisive is what moves a project forward. Often you will need to make decisions, even when you do not have all of the data you would like. This was always a challenge for me since I am pretty risk-averse. Decision making becomes more straightforward with experience. The more knowledge you gain, the more confident you will become in your decisions.
17. Negotiating Skills
This is not an obvious one. You are probably wondering why it is on the list. Well, the truth is engineers debate a lot because disagreements happen often. For instance, team members do not always see eye to eye or you may have to get upper management to move a deadline. You can practice this skill during group projects.
18. Public Speaking Skills
Meetings, presentations, conferences, and training, are just a few of the obligations that require an engineer to speak in front of others. I think this is very polarizing. You either love it or hate it. If you are in the latter category, I highly recommend practicing whenever you can. Do not try to avoid it in college because it is necessary for your job. If possible, try to take a public speaking class. There are several free online courses that you can take at your leisure.
Pro-tip: During an interview, if you are asked the dreaded, what is your greatest weakness question, this is a perfect opportunity to say public speaking. Then follow up by saying you are working on it by taking a course. That shows both self-awareness and self-improvement.
19. Perseverance
Engineering is arduous, which if you are currently studying it you already know. Failure is also part of the job. Therefore, persistence is paramount. You could be the most talented engineer, but if you do not have determination, you probably will not be successful. The good news is that you are 100% in control of this one. Also, it does not require extra studying to get this skill, only heart!
20. Attitude and Motivation:
This might be one of the other most underrated skills. I have been on many hiring search committees. Sometimes a decision comes down to two candidates. One is more skilled but did not seem excited about the position during the interview. The other may have less experience but had a better attitude. The job usually goes to the candidate with a better outlook.
Why? Because most hiring managers feel you can teach a skill, but not attitude. Motivation and positive thinking are critical in engineering because you are going to encounter many challenges and your attitude to persevere is what makes a great engineer.
21. Ability To Work Independently And With A Team
Engineers rarely work alone. Most projects are team-based. Showing that you are a team player and work towards the same goal is always welcomed by potential employers. On the other hand, to be a contributing member of the team, you will need to complete your deliverables on your own. Therefore, you need to be productive working independently as well. Again, group projects and internships are the best way to gain this experience.
22. Ability To Give And Receive Feedback
Receiving constructive criticism can be intimidating, but it is necessary for engineering. The good news is you rarely design anything by yourself. It is a team effort, which means your work will be reviewed by many people. Thus, you will receive feedback often. Try not to take it personally- it is just part of the job. Welcome the input because it is better to hear it from someone in your company than a customer! You will also need to be able to give feedback to your co-workers as well. The ability to do this requires knowledge of the subject matter and delivering your critique with a good demeanor.
23. Adaptability Skills
Engineers are often asked to take on different tasks that may be outside of their role. Some of these may include creating a budget, learning how to use a new piece of equipment, interfacing with customers, supporting cross-functional team members (marketing, regulatory, etc.), or managing project schedules. Therefore, engineers must be adaptable to take on roles outside their typical day-to-day tasks.
After working as a research and development engineer for seven years, these are the top 24 skills mechanical engineers should know to be effective. So if you are currently majoring in mechanical engineering, take advantage of this list.
Use it to identify areas in which you need to work. You can improve your skills by gaining experience through clubs, undergraduate research, coursework, projects, or internships. On the other hand, be sure to recognize your strengths as well. Then, highlight them on your resume and future interviews.
To help you, I have created an Engineering Skill Set Cheat Sheet, which summarizes all of the skills discussed in this article. For a limited time, get your free list now!
Did I forget anything? What would you add to this list? Let me know in the comments below!
Want more? Don’t miss these helpful posts!