Does academic success in mechanical engineering, imply future success "on the job"?

Question

I want to know if getting good grades while in school would imply that someone will be successful while out in the workforce doing mechanical engineering work. Also assume the person has good communication skills, but is not the type of person that takes things apart and builds things for fun.

Answer 1

Absolutely not. I'll tell you why, then also tell you why companies put an emphasis on academic sucess for people new to the industry.

Being sucessful in any career depends on many, many factors. Heres a short list in no particular order: ambition, personality, work ethic, communication skills, intelligence, education, passion for their work. All of these items, and more, contribute to ones sucess in the real world. Since education is only one of many factors it clearly is not the end all be all.

However, why do companies put such an emphasis on eductation then. Consider this, knowing that education is only a part of the picture and I'm going to have to assess all the canidates on all of these other 'qualitative' aspects, wouldn't I be better off leaning towards the canidate with the better academic record. The reason for this is assessing all of those other qualities in a 1-2 hour interview is a crap shoot at best, even for experienced interviewers.

Regarding your particular description, don't worry about not having mechanical hobbies. I personally find that a better indicator for technicians rather than engineers. Focus on if you find the work interesting and if you think you will enjoy the working environment you will be in. Those will be the important things to early sucess, regardless of your field.

best of luck.

Answer 2

It does not guarantee anything. In any business enterprise, even as an engineer you will have to generate a profit, pay for yourself. Too many engineerswho were good at bookwork where money was not an issue, approach a field project impractically and without any concern for how much it will cost the client to build. I see plans and finished work all the time in the petroleum industry where I find myself asking how in the hell some engineer dreamed this up. It really has to do with a design engineer who has had no practical field experience. Never got his or her hands dirty. Some things cannot be taught in a classroom. The best engineers are those who came up in the field in my opinion. They offer straight forward cost effective solutions, and they can assess a situation and make a decision quickly because they have been there and done it. Get your degree, and go do some hard labor in your field while you're young. It'll put you ahead in the long run.

Answer 3

Good grades imply that you are capable of absorbing information and remembering it at least long enough to pass the test, and for engineering classes it also implies a certain level of analytical ability. But the real world is signifigantly different than the classroom. I've seen straight A students that were stymied by relatively simple problems just because they didn't know how to work around the fact that in industry you NEVER have all the necessary information. For engineers experience often counts for at least as much as your formal education. If you're capable of admitting to yourself that your real education starts once you've left the classroom you'll do fine. School just lays down the base you need to start building, where you go from there is entirely up to you. I've seen lackluster students who made wonderful engineers, and I've seen students at the top of their class who didn't know enough to turn off a supply valve when their pressures ran away.

"In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. But in practice there is."

Answer 4

Probably only your employer will have any knowledge of your academic success. There are exceptions if you join societies. Success comes with achievements. I have a BSME degree and I had a person working under me who was a PHD. But I was more successful because I achieved company goals and he didn't. Plus .. something it took me years to learn --- "It is not what you do that is important ... it is the impression of what you do." For instance, I designed a machine once that did what it was supposed to do...but I never thought about the visual aspects .. it didn't LOOK like it would do the job. A word for the wise.

Answer 5

Usually good grades indicate that a person is willing to apply themselves to what needs to be done but good grades are no guarantee. It's a pretty good indicator though of potential. Just because you don't get a thrill out of ripping things apart, don't assume it will affect your career. I think that's just a stereotype.

Answer 6

academic success will help in getting a job. But it is your effort and accomplishments every day on that job that will ensure success on the job. Yes, it could "imply" but you can never rest on your laurels in the workplace. It is always, "what have you done for me lately?"

Answer 7

i dont believe good grades say anything. I have an 8th grade education and make 6 figures. Its the willingness to get the job done efficiently and cost effective

Answer 8

Good grades proves that you're willing to apply yourself to the situations at hand, thus likely landing you more job offers than one with lower grades.

Answer 9

I agree with Bigsky 52

Answer 10

it must those are pretty long words