Careers and salaries around drafting to mechanical engineering

[Let It Fall]

Im going to college in 6months but I'm still not sure what for. I want keep being drawn to mechanical engineering or drafting or something to do with it, and designing constructing something.

I know drafting and engineering are two tottaly different thing but, I'm interested in something to do with either of these or something similar.

Anyways I hear of engineers making so much around here, but looking online they claim starting is 40k and 20 years is 90k which I always find are wrong same with drafting. I'm an electrician with no experience and am making 24 hr and 50-84 hours a week.

So how much can I really expect from these careers, mechanical engineering, drafting, architecure.

And what exactly is an engineers day to day work like?

[karrot-x]

Originally Posted by Let It Fall

Im going to college in 6months but I'm still not sure what for. I want keep being drawn to mechanical engineering or drafting or something to do with it, and designing constructing something.

I know drafting and engineering are two tottaly different thing but, I'm interested in something to do with either of these or something similar.

Anyways I hear of engineers making so much around here, but looking online they claim starting is 40k and 20 years is 90k which I always find are wrong same with drafting. I'm an electrician with no experience and am making 24 hr and 50-84 hours a week.

So how much can I really expect from these careers, mechanical engineering, drafting, architecure.

And what exactly is an engineers day to day work like?

The degree proves you are just good enough to complete the task. If money is your desire you should consider getting an MBA after the BS in M.E. You'll spend a few years doing what you enjoy and then the rest of your years managing others with nice salary increases and bonuses.

However, the degree proves you are JUST good enough for the task, how you approach your job and the way you communicate with others will dictate your pay more than the degree.

EDIT: Oh, I forgot to add that Computer Engineers are one of the highest paid out of college .

[MakiSupaStar]

I remember when I was doing freelance flash work, there were quite a few jobs for technical 3-d animated mechanical drawings for different engineering firms. I didn't have an engineering background so I could never get those jobs. They were billing for about 80 bucks an hour, but this was pre dotcom bubble.

[iamlowsound]

I am a first year engineering student and I am up for consideration for a summer work program that pays $19/h. When I graduate, I expect to be making somewhere in the $45,000 a year range, this with a technology diploma. That being said, I am at the top of my program and without moving into management I will probably top out around $90k a year. Unless, of course, it turns out that I invent something really cool.

lowsound

[Let It Fall]

Maybe ppl down here just make more in everything? I made 63k last year and at this rate will make 120k this year. Though that's working my arse off.

I mean I hear of electric engineers in the plants I work in, who's designs and wording paths are very stupid, are making 150k-200k at this SMALL fertilizer plant I was at.

I'm not looking for super mega bucks, I just realized I don't want to do this the rest of my life and if I'm going to put in 4+ years at s college it better be damn worth it.

I wish there was someone who I could talk to locally, I mean I hear of draftees for plants down here making around 100k a year. And I know I could complete that much quicker.

[fdeck]

Originally Posted by Let It Fall

And what exactly is an engineers day to day work like?

I'm an optical engineer, and an engineering manager. My degree is in physics, and I am skilled in a number of areas including optics, electronics, and embedded systems.

Use the www.salary.com website to get an idea of what people make.

We have quite a few mechanical engineers and designers at my work site. For most of us, a typical day includes design work, solving problems in the plant, project meetings, documentation, and maybe dealing with suppliers. Those who are interested might get involved with customers. The work is not monotonous by any means. Moving up the ladder in our organization may involve getting into project management or general management.

[crockpot2001]

Originally Posted by Let It Fall

Maybe ppl down here just make more in everything? I made 63k last year and at this rate will make 120k this year. Though that's working my arse off.

I mean I hear of electric engineers in the plants I work in, who's designs and wording paths are very stupid, are making 150k-200k at this SMALL fertilizer plant I was at.

I'm not looking for super mega bucks, I just realized I don't want to do this the rest of my life and if I'm going to put in 4+ years at s college it better be damn worth it.

I wish there was someone who I could talk to locally, I mean I hear of draftees for plants down here making around 100k a year. And I know I could complete that much quicker.

Down here is where? Australia? I am not an engineer or architect but I sleep with one! My wife is an architect specializing in sustainable design and documentation during design/build phases. She's quite specialized and doing well while we are here in Korea. She has said that if this project is put on hold she wants to go to Australia to get her energy modeling masters, supposedly there are some good programs there in Carbon output related engineers too.

[PSPookie]

Having spent time as both a drafter and an engineer, I will tell you that, for me, engineering was absolutely the way to go.

There's nothing wrong with drafting but I got bored with it very quickly.

Both options are better than digging ditches . . . or accounting

[feet_]

get you M.E then go for CAD training after or during ,
M.E is salaried , so you will have to answer to supervisors.
CAD most likely in a union enviroment. ie. no BS

I ve done both (auto industry) CAD always made more and worked less.
Automotive ME 's go through alot of stress and pressure .
you re always answering to the customer engineer. which sometimes is like answering to the primadonna queen.
Egos fly around big time for engineers.
again get your ME but add to it with cad training. ie. CATIA, UNIGRAPHICS, AUTOCAD. etc

[feet_]

Originally Posted by PSPookie

Having spent time as both a drafter and an engineer, I will tell you that, for me, engineering was absolutely the way to go.

There's nothing wrong with drafting but I got bored with it very quickly.

Both options are better than digging ditches . . . or accounting

yes everyday was a new challenge to solve or a customer complaint. but when they tell you to have an answer by tommorow or Ford will shut down its lines @ $30,000 hr charge to your company. thats stress.
Cad you just plot away.

[Matt in TN]

Originally Posted by feet_

in a union enviroment. ie. no BS

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! No BS in a union environment... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH!

Oh wait - you were serious????

[feet_]

Unionized CAD persons may be a little diff then a factory enviroment.

i mean management, customer BS,
no rights when your salaried bs.
work 70 hrs in a week get paid for your 40hrs of work.
no one to back you

[karrot-x]

Originally Posted by feet_

Unionized CAD persons may be a little diff then a factory enviroment.

i mean management, customer BS,
no rights when your salaried bs.
work 70 hrs in a week get paid for your 40hrs of work.
no one to back you

You're working for the wrong companies.

[PSPookie]

Originally Posted by feet_

yes everyday was a new challenge to solve or a customer complaint. but when they tell you to have an answer by tommorow or Ford will shut down its lines @ $30,000 hr charge to your company. thats stress.
Cad you just plot away.

I work in a different industry (utilities) and this does not mirror my experiences. There are challenges and pressure but it is certainly not excessive.

Originally Posted by karrot-x

You're working for the wrong companies.

+1E0

[feet_]

you think i scared him straight?
DO NOT GO INTO THE AUTOMOTIVE FIELD.!!!!!

[()smoke()]

architecture and drafting are totally different things...and going into drafting is not a wise career move, imo, because drafting is already being replaced by BIM...something to keep in mind...AutoCAD might still be somewhat relevant in some fields, but is quickly fading in architecture

[coreyfyfe]

I have a good friend who is an ME. Started a few years ago right out of college working for a big company working with military aircraft engines. He started around the mid-50K range plus benefits, etc, but he hated his job. I'm not even really sure what he did there to be honest. Anyways, he just took a new job at a small company, much different environment, medical devices, not sure what the salary range is, but probably in the 60K area.