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Mechanical Engineering Schools Marry Science and Art
by Robyn Tellefsen
If you've ever wondered how to fuse your passion for math and science with your creative capabilities, a mechanical Engineering career could be the perfect match for you.

A Beautiful Blend
When you train at  

Mechanical Engineering Schools

 , you'll learn how to help engineers design, develop, test, and manufacture industrial machinery, consumer products, and other equipment. You'll assist in product tests, like setting up instrumentation for auto crash tests. You might also test and inspect machines and equipment, or you might work with engineers to eliminate production problems.

And here's where the creativity comes in -- in your mechanical engineering career, you'll be able to create sketches and rough layouts, record and analyze data, make calculations and estimates, and report on your findings. When planning production, you'll learn how to prepare layouts and drawings of the assembly process and of parts to be manufactured. You'll also estimate labor costs, equipment life, and plant space.

Making It Happen
Of course, training at mechanical Engineering Schools is key. Look for those that offer a two-year associate degree program in engineering Technology, and that are accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). About 230 colleges offer ABET-accredited programs in engineering technology, which typically include courses in algebra, trigonometry, general science, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and mechanical design.

Once you've graduated from one of these mechanical engineering schools, certification may provide another competitive advantage. Voluntary certification from the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies is available at various levels. Each level combines a written exam in one of about 30 specialties with job-related experience, a supervisory evaluation, and a recommendation.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, mechanical engineering technicians held 48,000 jobs in 2004; in May 2004, median annual earnings for these professionals were $43,400.

Spotlight: Another Career to Consider
If you like mechanical engineering, you might also consider marine mechanics. In this related field, you'll be responsible for repairing and adjusting the electrical and mechanical equipment of inboard and outboard boat engines. You might also work on propellers, steering mechanisms, marine plumbing, and other boat equipment.

And the job is rewarding -- according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in May 2004, median hourly earnings for marine mechanics were $14.74, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $21.90.

Your mechanical career awaits you!

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