Running Head: Changing the World Through Mechanical Engineering

Changing the World Through Mechanical Engineering

Alex Larm
ENGL 2100-Su16
July 1, 2016

Changing the World Through Mechanical Engineering

Abstract
This paper covers the required schooling, organizational culture, and the writing styles of
mechanical engineering. From the use of personal interviews and web search the information for
this paper. Personal interviews talked most about the schooling and organization culture. Within
the interviews, schooling, culture, organization, and experience vs degree. Web search gave the
information for writing styles in mechanical engineering. This information came from Manhattan
College Engineering Department: A Guide to Technical Communication (2013). The conclusion
is understanding more about required schooling, organizational culture, and the writing styles of
mechanical engineering will prepare me for this career.
keywords: Mechanical Engineering, Organization, Preparation

Changing the World Through Mechanical Engineering

Introduction
Changing the world for the better is a dream for many people. Mechanical engineering is
a way to do that. The process of designing, building, and the final product is just the basic parts
of this. In order to do this, I need to understand more about mechanical engineering.
Understanding more about required schooling, organizational culture, and the writing styles of
mechanical engineering will prepare me for this career.
Methodology
Finding information about mechanical engineering is best gathered from someone in the
workforce. This gives a more personal level of understanding with what goes on in mechanical
engineering, which is the reason why I mostly received my information about organization and
schooling from personal interviews with people related to my chosen career.
Interviews
To start with, I interviewed Joy Velarde, University of Utah (U of U) Engineering
Department Advisor. This interview helped with many aspects of my research, specifically
schooling.
The other person who I interviewed was Jake Wilson. He is a close friend who is about to
finish his mechanical engineering bachelors degree at the U of U. He talked mostly about being
in the work force and will be covered shortly.
The third person I interview was Phil (asked not to use surname). He is a mechanical
engineer for a company called Solar Turbine, located in San Diego, California.

Changing the World Through Mechanical Engineering

Results
The discussion from the interviews helped by giving the most insight into important
aspects of mechanical engineering and a more personal look into what an engineer does in the
work force.
The first interview, with Joy Velarde, went mostly over schooling. I found out that once I
have passed the necessary classes at Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) I will be able to
transfer to the U of U without an associates degree. She gave me a list of classes that I must take
either at SLCC or at U of U. She also told me, The only reason you will need a masters degree
is if you are looking to go into a managerial position. Most people get their masters degree once
they are established in the work force and their work will pay for them to go back to school.
Velarde (06/23/2016 personal interview)
The interview with Jake Wilson began with ask him where he went for his school and he
said, I started at Salt Lake Community College and then transferred to U of U. This was the best
option for me, because it was the most cost efficient (2016). I then asked him what he is doing
for work and how I could prepare for the work force. He answered, I am currently working for
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a CAD (Computer Aided Design) worker
Wilson (2016 personal interview). This is a good entry level position and can help me learn more
about the organization of the work place. He goes on, Many of the engineers I work with are
very funny and tell a lot of jokes. They usually arent very serious unless something has gone
wrong. Even the boss will stop and chat every once and a little while Wilson (2016 personal
interview).
He then explained some of the organization of a project. Generally, a group of engineers
work on a single aspect of a much larger project. For instance, a group of engineers will work on

Changing the World Through Mechanical Engineering

a plane, but one engineer will focus on the door ways, making them lite but sturdy, while another
will be working on engines. Another example is, Jake, would like to test load capacities of dump
trucks. While he wont necessarily be making them, he wants to improve them and make sure
they can stop in a reasonable distance. During this whole process, they are sending technical
writings such as reports, memos, and patents for approval. This gave me a lot of good insight
into some of the culture this field has.
The third interview with Phil began with finding out he is a mechanical engineer. He
spoke about his path to get to the point he is now. Currently, he is a designer. He examines
turbine engines and figures out how to increase their efficiently. Though, he didnt start as a
designer. His company felt, since he didnt have a lot of experience, he needed to start with
physically working on the turbines. He began traveling to businesses, who were buying the
turbines. He assisted in installation and making the process smoother. He said, This was the
best option for me. When I became a designer I knew more about the turbines than someone who
had 10 more years of work experience Phil (2016 personal interview). When it came time to
apply for a new position it was between Phil and another person. The other person knew a lot
about mechanical design, but since Phil had more experience with actually working on turbines,
Phil had the upper hand.
We then discussed the differences between having experience vs schooling. His manager
has a masters degree in mechanical engineering and a doctorates degree in physics. He is paid
very well and has been in the position for about 5 years. Another manager in the office only has a
bachelors degree in mechanical engineering, but still has the same pay. He has 15 years of
experience in this company. Five of those years have been in his current managerial position.
Employers are looking for experience above all. Having a degree helps you be noticed by them,

Changing the World Through Mechanical Engineering

but they are looking for experience as well. Gaining experience is key. While discussing this, he
said, Everyones path is different. Each of us chooses a different way. I didnt need to start as a
field worker in my company, but it helped me understand and gain experience for the future.
Nothing happens by accident Phil (2016 personal interview).
Technical Writing
To understand more about technical writing in mechanical engineering, I turned to the
internet. I used the term technical writing textbook PDF for mechanical engineering. With this
I found a guide to technical communication. The title is Manhattan College Mechanical
Engineering Department: A Guide to Technical Communication. The table of contents gives
some key points to technical writing in engineering. Examples are reports and electronic mail.
On page 2 of A Guide to Technical Communication it says, In industry you will often be
called upon to give written and oral reports. (2013). Reports are the most used way of
expressing information. There are two main types of reports, laboratory reports and design
project reports. Laboratory reports, or technical reports, serve an important purpose. These
reports document experimental or analytical studies (A Guide to Technical Communication,
2013 page 21). Next is design project reports. There are three types of design project reports
Proposals, Progress Reports and Final Reports (A Guide to Technical Communication, 2013
page 29). Simply, these are the beginning, middle, and end reports of a project. This also covers
oral reports and presentations.
The next type of technical writing is electronic mail (emails). The benefits of emails are
very diverse. Complex messages can be transmitted efficiently They provide a written
history They potentially eliminate meetings. (A Guide to Technical Communication, 2013
page 38).

Changing the World Through Mechanical Engineering

The guide goes on to say, You will probably be writing more emails than any other type
of document, and so it pays to know how to write them in a way that gets your point across in a
clear, succinct manner. (A Guide to Technical Communication, 2013 page 38). This stresses the
importance of learning formats of emails.
Discussion
From the results I came up with many ideas to help me prepare for mechanical
engineering. This includes schooling, preparations for the work place, and the overall
organization of the work place.
Primarily I need to start with schooling. Going to SLCC and then transferring to the
University of Utah seems to be the most cost efficient and the fastest way to go into the work
force. Many engineers only receive their bachelors degree to start with. Then later in life return
to school for a masters degree. The company usually will encourage the advanced degree by
funding the further education. This is a huge help in deciding to start with a BS degree and
consider graduate school later after I start my career.
Schooling will help with preparation for the workplace. Jake Wilson advised to learn
AutoCAD. Learning AutoCAD can help with obtaining the first steps to a career and putting me
above the rest. I can gain important work experience and continually increase my marketability
for the future.
Next, is organization of the workplace. Generally, an engineering firm is set up the same.
The firm will take a project and break it down into smaller projects to be handled by teams. This
way the engineers only focus on one aspect of the project to be solved. This is the same whether
you are building an airplane or a turbine, it is broken down the same way. This has given me a
better understanding of what to expect and I will be able to move forward with confidence.

Changing the World Through Mechanical Engineering

Last, is technical writing in mechanical engineering. Most of the technical writing I will
have to do is reports and emails. These play a key role with making and presenting a project.
With this knowledge I can better know what to look for in my schooling and be a better
communicator. In the introduction to A Guide to Technical Communication gives some advice.
Written and oral communication skills are very important in our society. In particular, an
engineer is frequently called upon to explain his or her work to an audience The ability to
write and speak well in these situations often accounts for who advances in an organization.
(2013 page 1)

Conclusion
Changing the world is a lot of work, but there is a lot of good information to help with
this. Understanding more about required schooling, organizational culture, and the writing styles
of mechanical engineering will prepare me for this career. I found that interviewers are the best
way to find insight into the final goal, the work force. There are many different ways to change
the world, but as for me I will stick with mechanical engineering. This has a dream of mine for
many years and this research has helped make up my mind and make to clear a path for myself.
Something that will help me be ready for a job is to gain the necessary education. The next step
for me is to take a CAD class and begin my journey into mechanical engineering.

Changing the World Through Mechanical Engineering

References
Manhattan College (2013, 8 22). Engineering Department: A Guide to Technical
Communication. Retrieved from
http://home.manhattan.edu/~john.leylegian/greenbook/Fall%202013%20Manual.pdf