English Technical Writing, Coursework Example

Anthony A. Brown

65 Academy Street

University of ….

Florida USA

E-mail: [email protected]

Professor Gerald Smith

84 B Allen Street

Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

E-mail: [email protected]

Re: Report on the Job Prospects for Graduating Mechanical Engineers in the 2011-12 Market.

Dear Professor Brown,

I am writing to inform you that I have complied with the tenets of your instructions concerning the report on the job prospects for graduating mechanical engineers in 2011-12 job market, and now tendering the same for your perusal as well as for future reference.

The market from my perspective, is far more promising for mechanical engineers like myself than I had first thought, and I can now appreciate the wisdom and intellect within you in advising me to pursue this project.

I have found institutions like the American Society for Engineers and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers as ideal resource based centers for all information engineers will need to help them advance in the profession (BLS, 2011).

The Salary scale for graduating Mechanical Engineers were found to be in the range of $29,000 and $110,000, depending on the location, company structure , business division, position of entry, and the level of computational skills acquired during training.

I was heartened to discover that the training that I had undergone, matched almost to perfection, many of the job descriptions that I had researched, and my confidence of pursuing employment in the coal and power or nuclear industry has been made stronger as a result.

The research project has helped me to realize the critical importance of having computational skills to augment my engineering background and experience, and will make every effort to ensure competence in this area, as industries like computer, aerospace, automotive, and the emerging megatronics sector, have very promising job prospects   for candidate in my positions.

A job survey report from Michigan Tech Engineering College, and an article from Brown (2010) of Alloy Education, particularly impressed me. The job survey from the former revealed that that there were 103 job offerings for mechanical engineers in the present period, and the median salary was an encouraging $59, 000 per year.

Brown (2010) in his article   quoted John Tichy of Mechanical Aerospace Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Department of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as saying that the market for graduating mechanical engineers is a booming one, as reflected by the number of recruiters that are flocking engineering campuses for their companies to find out what offers can be made to acquire the services of entry level mechanical engineers.

Thanks for the guidance, inspiration and motivation that you have imparted to my career choice as a mentor. It was greatly appreciated.

Yours sincerely,

Anthony Brown

Report on the Job Prospect for Graduating Mechanical Engineers on the United States of America Market in 2012.

Report to: Professor Gerald Brown PhD, Dean of Engineering Department, Mentor

Report from: Anthony Brown, Student, Mechanical Engineering Faculty

Date: 09/1//11

Abstract

The research was conducted with a view to obtain a true status of the job market conditions for graduating mechanical engineers from the University of ABC in 2012 and possible beyond.

Information was accessed from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) via its 2010-2011 Occupational Outlook Handbook and from several reputable engineering sources inclusive of Michigan Tech College of Engineering, State University.com.

The nature of the Mechanical Engineering profession, Job descriptions, salary scales, recruiting industries, entry level requirements and prospective positions, expert opinions on the status of the market and the impact of emerging technologies on job opportunities were secured for this report, to help fulfill the purpose for which it was intended.

The report hopes to draw appropriate conclusions on the true state of the job market for mechanical engineering , in addition to provide a guide for engineers to better prepare themselves to enter newly emerging areas like the software, computer and mechatronics industries.

Introduction

The Mechanical Engineering profession according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics Outlook Handbook (2010-11), faced a rapidly changing era in the first decade of 2010, with the fastest growing jobs being in Computer Software Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Hardware Engineering and Environmental Engineering. However, (BLS 2010-11) contends, in the coming decade, employment projections will significantly increase in the areas of research and development, and in the consulting services industries.

The prospect seems excellent for Mechanical Engineers with at least a bachelor’s degree, and excellent soft and computational skills, according All Engineering Schools (2011), especially for the computer, automotive, artificial intelligence and the aerospace industries.

Job prospects seems inextricable linked to areas of emerging industries, and it seems like industry experts are focusing their attention on the development of mechatronics, which is a Japanese invention, as well as trend in the industry where large companies are breaking into several units to gain greater competitiveness, enhance competence, develop niche markets, improve efficiency and generate higher levels of profitability, according to Brown (2010).

Mechanical Engineers who are trained to research, design, manufacture, develop test tools and machines according to BLS (2011), should be excited in trends that are manifesting the present moment according to Brown (2011), in that there is a boom in the industry, as reflected by the number of recruiters that are invading engineering campuses to attract entry level graduates into their companies. It seems according to Brown there are needs for fresh blood within the industry to enhance the level of innovation companies need to dominate even global markets, and engineers who are well trained and ambitious should be poised to maximize their career development and earning opportunities in 2012.

Literature Review

Functions of Mechanical Engineers

Mechanical Engineers according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics are trained to research, design, manufacture and test tools, machines, mechanical devices and to develop various types of engines used in the world, and as such these functions make the profession one of the broadest discipline in today’s engineering operational environment (Bureau of Labor and Statistics, Operational Outlook Handbook 2010 -11 Edition)

According to BLS (2010-11), industries also require Mechanical Engineers to work with electrical generators, internal combustion engines, gas as well as steam turbines, power machines, air conditions and refrigeration units, machine tools, elevators and escalators, and various other types of production equipment.

The breadth of the profession is also evident according to BLS (2010-11) when Mechanical Engineers are found working in agricultural production facilities, in manufacturing, and maintenance, as technical sales representatives, and in managerial positions.

In terms of Nuclear Engineers, they can be found working in research and developing process, instruments, and systems to facilitate the generation of nuclear energy. Nuclear plants according to BLS (2010-11), recruit these engineers to manage the production, handling, use of nuclear fuel, and in the safety and disposal systems, while naval vessels and space crafts, as well as medical companies that handle radioactive materials, all holds excellent job prospects personnel trained in this discipline.

Education, Training and Requirement

In terms of education, training and the other requirements for success on the job market, State University.com (2011), cites that four years of training, a bachelors degree and in many cases work programs for limited time period, will be required of prospective mechanical engineers.

Entry positions, like assistant to chief engineers according to State University.com (2011), are usually adopted to launch the careers of mechanical engineers, because it enabled them to overtime acquire the requisite experience for upward mobility to positions like foremen, supervisors and managing directors.

Job Descriptions

The ideal job description for Mechanical Engineers, according to Graduate Prospects Limited (2011), includes

• Designing and implementing cost effective equipment modifications to improve reliability, safety, and efficiency
• Developing project specification with team members
• Developing testing and evaluating designs
• Solving complex problems in manufacturing departments, with contractors, suppliers and customers
• Produce details of specification and outline designs
• Plan and design new production processes
• Recommending modifications to prototypes
• Use of analytical, research, conceptual and planning skills, especially in Mathematics, modeling and computer aided designs to facilitate accuracy in decision making and strategy implementation
• Constantly considering the implications of issues such as safety and time constraints.

Employment Prospects and Resource Availability

According to Thomas (2010), engineers are a hot item for employers in industries that encompass the spectrum of American economy, inclusive of computers, medicine, and heavy manufacturing.

John Tichy, the chairman of Mechanical Aeronautics Engineering and Mechanics Department at Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute reports , according to Thomas (2010) that the market for graduating mechanical engineers is a booming one, due to the presence of employers on engineering campuses desiring to know what they have to offer to recruit entry level personnel to their companies.

Professor Robert Benson of Penn State Mechanical Engineering Department adds to the argument, when he predicts that the job outlook for graduating Mechanical Engineers is excellent, because in the economy companies that were on the lean side a few years ago, wants fresh blood within their employ, and the best place to find it was among the entry level graduates (Brown, 2010).

Brown (2010) went further to highlight the hiring trend, by referring to the fact that Mechanical Engineers with computational skills will become big drawing cards in the automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, and software related industries.

Changes in the industry like the breaking up of mega organizations into smaller units, also augurs well for Mechanical Engineers, according to Tichy, as these evolving units are now seeking their batches of engineers, as are startup companies, and the combinations of their needs will increase the job opportunities for  graduates to this profession (Brown, 2010).

The market according to Brown (2010) is also being impacted by the development of mechatronics; which is a Japanese coined word that describes the use of electronics to control machines, is being applied in aerospace and automotive industry, where they are presently an abundance of testing and troubleshooting. Engineers surmised Brown (2010) will be in great demand to perform these assignments.

Benson also pointed out that there are companies that are set to take mechatronics technology into artificial intelligence, neural networks, and machine learning – which are hybrids of the process, and holds excellent prospects for Mechanical Engineers who possess soft skills and are able to talk up to prospective employers (Brown, 2010).

The employment prospects for Mechanical Engineers are very good going into 2014, according State University.com (2011), as there will be need for trained personnel to aid in the manufacture of industrial machinery and tools, complex new products as well as to facilitate the development of emerging technologies

Two very important institutions are currently available to graduating Mechanical Engineer, in terms of resources required for employment and advancement within the profession, and they are the;

• American Society for  Mechanical Engineers, Three Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016-5990  Telephone: 800-845-2763 asme.org
• American Society for Engineers, 1818 N St. NWSte.600 Washington D.C Telephone: 201-331-3500 ase.org

The worth of a Mechanical Engineering Degree

In assessing the worth of a Mechanical Engineering Degree, the Michigan Tech College of  Engineering (2011), purports that trained engineer generally, with at least a bachelors degree have seen a  2.59 % increase to be worth $60,465. This was the best increase since 2009 when salaries rose by 4.2%. In terms of a Mechanical Engineer however, the institution in its job survey reports that the increase was 2.8% and the value in terms of worth today was $61, 021.

This result means in general that the rewards for Mechanical Engineers on the job markets  remains competitive with other areas of the engineering disciplines, and should be encouraging to future graduates.

Further analysis of the Michigan Tech College of Engineering (2011) Survey also showed that that mechanical engineers job offers in the 2010-11 period far exceeded the 18 other  disciplines, with an impressive 83, and  high, median and low end offers of $70, 000, $56314, and $24, 960 respectively. The high end offers according to Michigan Tech College of Engineering (2011), was only third behind the offers for Computer and Software Engineers on the job market.

Earnings in the discipline according to State University.com (2011) is largely dependent on education, experience, location, and the nature of the job itself, but Mechanical Engineers with master’s  and doctoral degrees will be ideally placed to secure high paying jobs that  will include holiday with pay, vacations, and  insurance and retirement benefit packages.

Conclusion

Mechanical Engineers graduating at this time face a booming market which is ideal for them to market themselves successfully to employers in different sectors of the industry.

The computer, software, computer hardware, aerospace, automotive, aerospace, and mechatronics sectors of the industry seems to hold the best prospects for employment, and graduates who are equipped in soft  and  computational skills will command the high end salaries.

The opinions expressed were delivered by experts in the jib markets for mechanical engineers, and should be accepted as reliable and authentic by all readers of the report, and used as basis for career decision making

Reference

Glassdoor (2011). Mechanical Engineer Salaries glasssdor.com/saslaries/mechanical-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0.html , 09/14/11

Michigan Tech College of Engineering (2011). What is an engineering degree worth? Engineers get top pay mtu.edu/news/degree/_worth.html 09/14/11

State University.com (2011). Mechanical Engineers, Job Descriptions, Career as a Mechanical Engineer, Salary, Employment-Definition and nature of work, Education, Education and Training, Requirements, Getting the job stateuniversity.com/pages/407/mechanicalengineers_job-description.html , 09/14/11

Thomas, C. (2010). Mechanical Engineering: From Mechatronics to Medicine Mechanical Engineers Push Employers Hot Button  Alloy  Education graduateengineers.com/resource/article/20020221/mechanical-engineering , 09/14/11

All Engineering Schools (2011). Engineering Jobs allengineeringschools.com/engineeringschools.com/engineering-careers/article/engineering-jobs, 09/14/12

Bureau of Labor and Statistics (2011), Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010-2011 edition bls.gov.oco/ocus027.htm , 09/14/11

Graduate Prospects Limited (2011). Mechanical Engineers Jobs Description graduateprospects.ac.uk//mechanicalengineer_jobdescription.html 09/124/11

Appendix #1

Job Description for typical Mechanical Engineer (extracted from Graduate Prospects Ltd (www.graduateprospects.ac.uk//mechanicalengineer_jobdescription.html

Typical Work Activities

Mechanical engineers work on a project from the initial brief, through the design and development stage, to the testing of one or more prototypes, right through to final manufacture and implementation.

Projects can vary significantly, from researching and developing medical products (such as mechanical hearts) to improving production processes in large oil refineries or designing services within buildings.

Tasks will generally include:

• designing and implementing cost-effective equipment modifications to help improve safety, reliability and throughput;
• developing a project specification with colleagues, often including those from other engineering disciplines;
• developing, testing and evaluating theoretical designs;
• discussing and solving complex problems with manufacturing departments, sub-contractors, suppliers and customers;
• making sure a product can be made again reliably and will perform consistently in specified operating environments;
• managing projects using engineering principles and techniques;
• planning and designing new production processes;
• producing details of specifications and outline designs;
• recommending modifications following prototype test results;
• using research, analytical, conceptual and planning skills, particularly mathematical modeling and computer-aided design;
• considering the implications of issues such as cost, safety and time constraints;
• working with other professionals, within and outside the engineering specialism;
• Monitoring and commissioning plant and systems.