Research Assessment #2
Date: 11 September 2017
Subject: Different paths to becoming an engineer
MLA Citation:
“Which Path Will You Take?” ASME.org,
Assessment:
Now that I have been able to research and widen my knowledge of the general overview of mechanical engineering I have decided to research the path to becoming an engineer. There are many different paths to becoming an engineer whether you choose to go down the path that takes you four or two years to get a degree. Once you receive your degree in mechanical engineering you may now, even though it is not always necessary, get a Associate of Science (A.S.), Bachelors of Science (B.S.), Masters of Science (M.S.), or even a Doctorate (Ph. D.). Lastly there are two different programs you can do, if you choose, and they are called mechanical engineering (M.E.) and mechanical engineering technology (MET). The mechanical engineering program is a program that takes four years (120 semester credits), two years are likely spent at a community college and the other two are spent at a university.
After reading this article I have learned that there are many ways to become an engineer. This, for me, makes the process have a better outlook because I have options for myself, whether I choose to take the four or two year program or choose to get an M.D. or a Ph. D. When I am looking at a career I would like to have options because there might be a path that would show of my strengths better or if I choose to go down the harder path and challenge myself I have that option as well. Plus, If a job is looking for a certain level of experience or qualification I have to chance to be even more qualified based on the degree I choose to get.
I also see that I can better prepare myself for the future by choosing to get the higher degrees. This can help me get a job and also help me decide which college I want to go to because all colleges have different levels to a major. For example if one college has the option to get up to a Ph. D. and another has the potion to get up to a Bachelors of Science, but my goal is to get my Masters then I would likely choose to go to the first school.
Although the path to becoming an engineer provides many different options, it also concerns me. As a read about all the different options that I could potentially go down I am trying to find the right path for me and for what I think is best for me. I am concerned because I do not know which path is going to be the right one for me. This can also depend on which school I go to and there options for degrees, but overall I get worried thinking about this kind of thing because I want to choose the right path. I do not care if I decide to take the hardest courses I just want to know that at the end of the day that I have made the right decision for myself.