How the Mechanical Engineering Major Prepares You for the Job Market
Engineering is a complex field comprised of many disciplines of study. Engineers must possess the knowledge of complex sciences and mathematics in order to work in the field. Approximately two million people in the country are employed in the engineering field, according to the University of Delaware. This number is expected to keep growing as more complex problems arise that need solutions. Mechanical engineering covers many different views, including biomedicine, computational engineering, design, and energy. Taking courses in physics, microbiology, physical chemistry, and many other related topics, graduates of a mechanical engineering degree are well-versed in the specifics of the complex science and engineering field. The in-depth knowledge of these subjects gained through completing a computer engineering degree enables computer engineering graduates to quickly join in the work force because they already possess the technical skills and knowledge required in the field.

Best Career Paths for Mechanical Engineering Majors
One of the broadest engineering discliplines available, mechanical engineering touches on a variety of engineering principles. For this reason, mechanical engineering graduates have the opportunity to work for any number of industries that require the development, production, or improvement of machinery. The best career paths for mechanical engineering majors are:

• Mechanical Engineer. Mechanical engineers work in a variety of industries. Possible job opportunities are available in the automotive industry, power plants, elevators and escalators, industrial production, and many other niches. Mechanical engineers who specialize in energy efficiency are likely to experience the biggest boom in employment. As people begin searching for ways to decrease the human footprint on the planet, the environmental sector will gain momentum. Big office buildings in cities were responsible for 39.4 percent of the total U.S. energy consumption in 2002, according to the latest available data from the Environmental Protection Agency. With figures like these, mechanical engineers who can develop new products that consume less energy, such as less wasteful heating and cooling systems and vehicle engines. Mechanical engineers make an average salary of $69,850 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Environmental Engineer. Environmental engineers work with promoting projects that are more environmentally-friendly. All career opportunities in the green sector for environmental engineering majors will be prosperous, but the alternative energy field will be particularly in-demand. Environmental engineers who work in water, wind, and solar power typically plan where the ideal places are to install which kind of alternative energy plant, how it would impact the surrounding community physically and economically, and many other factors. Most environmental engineers also solve complex environmental problems such as the design and management of water treatment plants. Due to the overlapping nature of the environmental engineering and mechanical engineering field, mechanical engineers often find successful job opportunities within the environmental sector.l Environmental engineers make an average salary of $69,940 annually, according to the Bureau.

How to Market Your Mechanical Engineering Degree
Earning a mechanical engineering degree is an important step towards starting your career in many prestigious industries. However, you will also need to know how to market your degree to potential employers in order to prove to them that your education makes you an excellent candidate for the open position. The best way to market your education is to be specific about the skill sets you learned in class. For example, on your job application cover letter, specify some of the most challenging and relevant courses you took while in school and explain what you learned from it. For example, you may mention that you worked on a big research project for your design and manufacturing class and learned about how certain designs are more favorable to perform a designated task. Be sure to mention all of the challenging projects you tackled and how those projects helped you hone your skills in the field. Reassuring employers that your educational background helped you develop real-world skills is the most effective way of marketing your mechanical engineering degree.