Both mechanical engineering and electrical share a lot in common. Even though they both take separate academic paths to become one, they still share a lot of creativity, skills, and even courses in common. You are probably wondering why they are not offered as one program then. Well, in as much as mechanical engineers and electrical engineer have one or two educational needs in common, a lot of differences still exists among them. Particularly, this article will analyze the similarities that exist in both professions, as well as the differences. A glance at the table of contents below will show how much information embedded in this article reveals that both professions are unique and exceptional in their respective ways.
What Is Mechanical Engineering?
There are absolutely quite a number of definitions of mechanical engineering. Basically, this article will give a variety of definitions alongside job descriptions to aid you visualize what mechanical engineering program is. First, mechanical engineering refers to one of the broadest engineering disciplines. It refers to a particular specialization in engineering that involves a lifetime cycle of work and rewards. Actually, the branch of engineering that applies the principles of engineering to the design and construction of machines and their parts is called Mechanical engineering. Individuals who complete a four year degree program in mechanical engineering are called mechanical engineers. These students graduate to become mech engineers who can deal with anything that moves from components to machines to human body.
What Do Mechanical Engineers Do?
Mechanical Engineers interestingly, are involved in providing daily products. They are found in different companies and enterprises contributing their quota to the growth of the society. Basically, Mech Engineers harness their skills to produce new and improved machines and tools. They can work in an office as consultants of facility managers ensuring the repairs of machines when they break down. However, most mechanical engineers do a lot of traveling and tend to work closely with architects where they contribute their skills to manufacturing and research careers. In details, below is an analysis of a typical role for a mechanical engineer:
Job Description of a Mechanical Engineer
Generally, the basic responsibility of mechanical engineers in any company is usually to properly research, design, develop, build and test the different mechanical aspects of devices and sensors. Other roles may include the following:
What is Electrical Engineering?
Similar to mechanical engineering, different definitions and explanations exists. However, this article will proffer a detailed job description for electrical engineers to clarify what electrical engineering entails. Basically, the field of engineering that specializes in the study, design and application of equipment , devices and systems which use electricity, electronics and electromagnetism is called electrical engineering. This branch of engineering deals with heavy current that is electric light and power systems alongside apparatuses. Also, this branch of engineering covers a wide range of sub displines like computer engineering, power engineering, telecommunications, radio-frequency engineering and so many others. Graduates from an electrical engineering program are known as electrical engineers and they mainly focus on large-scale production and distribution of electrical power.
What Do Electrical Engineers Do?
Electrical engineers who are individuals who have completed at least four years of formal learning can work in a wide range of industries and what they do may vary. Though their job description tends to capture employing their skills to circuit theory or using their management skills for project management. Electrical engineers may just need a simple voltmeter to perform a simple task or a top end analyzer to sophisticated design and manufacturing software. Electrical engineers have the responsibility of designing and developing alongside testing of different processes that work in the manufacturing of any particular electrical equipment. Below is a detailed job description of an electrical engineer.
Job Description of an Electrical Engineer
Basically, the role or responsibility of electrical engineers revolves around designing of several electrical systems that work in automobiles and aircraft systems as well. Mainly, they concentrate on developing and installing the electric equipment which is provided in the communication and broadcast systems such as portable music players, GPA systems, and other options. Other job roles of an electrical engineer may include:
What Is The Difference Between Mechanical and Electrical Engineering?
Like earlier stated, mechanical engineers have different job roles from electrical engineers. While both are branches of engineering, the differences between these two engineering programs will be ascertained by comparing, the job outlook, salary of each profession, best schools for each, and highest employers of each profession.
Electrical Engineering vs Mechanical Engineering: Program Curriculum
Basically, both are usually offered by the college of engineering of most schools. As branches of a broad discipline like engineering, students may share two or more courses during this program. However, the electrical engineering program curriculum covers a broad knowledge of practical and theoretical knowledge. The program curriculum is usually designed as a ‘feeder’ degree for students who aren’t able to figure out the specifics of their careers. Students will take courses that cover physical science, engineering, mathematics, and oral and written communications. Students who graduate from an electrical engineering program have the right knowledge and skill to pursue a career in any sector of design and research, sales, management, teaching, and others. In fact, generation, transmission, and distribution of power, communications, manufacture, and design of semiconductor devices are some of the most defining career paths for students in the electrical engineering program. On the other hand, the mechanical engineering curriculum is designed to teach students designing, manufacturing, analyzing, and testing different mechanical systems and components that are working together. Basically, mechanical engineering is diverse and all-encompassing. This is mainly because of its essentiality for all different modern-day industries. Hence, the curriculum is designed to allow students to choose major areas of concentration from energy conversion, design engineering, materials engineering, as well as manufacturing engineering. Conceptual product design, engineering sciences, and the capabilities of manufacturing in order to create effective, affordable, and quality products for the people are some of the diverse course students in mechanical engineering will take.
Mechanical Engineers vs Electrical Engineers: Job Outlook
Generally, job descriptions of these two professionals show that the services of the two are practically needed in any company. According to BLS.GOV, mechanical engineers have a projected job growth rate of 5% while that of electrical engineers will grow by 2 percent between 2018-2028. This may seem low but an indication that the services of these professions are actually needed. So, if you attend a good school and know your onions, you will definitely be among the 2 percent who will get a job upon graduation.
What You Can Do with a Mechanical Engineering Degree
With a mechanical engineering degree, students upon graduation can work as the following in any industry:
Auto Research EngineersHeating and cooling systems engineerRobotics engineers
What You Can Do with a Electrical Engineering Degree
An electrical engineering degree from an accredited institution will allow students who graduate successfully to work as:
Energy System EngineersSignal Processing EngineersTelecommunications Engineers
Mechanical Engineering vs Electrical Engineering Salary
According to a report by Forbes, research carried out on 10 States where Electrical Engineers earn the Most Money shows that the national average annual wage of an electrical engineer is $101,600. BLS posits that electrical engineers’ annual salary is about $99, 580 while career explorer data analysis suggests average yearly salary of $96,640 for electrical engineers. On the other hand, mechanical engineers according to Forbes study show that $92,800 is the annual take-home salary in 10 states where mechanical engineers were paid highest. Apparently, while mechanical engineering offers more job opportunities, electrical engineering pays higher.
What are the Best Schools for Mechanical Engineering vs Electrical Engineering?
Another specific difference between mechanical engineering and electrical engineering is the best schools for each program. Basically, there are millions of schools out there offering these engineering programs. But, attending the best school for each have a way of increasing your job search and employment rates. If you have discovered the right engineering program for you and wondering where to get the best academic learning experience, click any of the buttons below to read a review on best schools for each. On the buttons. ME stands for mechanical engineering whereas EE stands for electrical engineer.
Mechanical Engineering vs Electrical Engineering: Which is Harder?
Factors like determination, career choice, and interest will determine which is harder for you. Basically, a recent study from one of the Ivy League schools posits that engineering generally is one of the hardest courses to study. For Electrical, you would need excellent math skills to succeed. Hence, it is considered one of the hardest majors in the engineering field.
Similarities between Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering
As stated earlier mechanical engineering and electrical share some similarities. Mechanical and electrical engineering share similarities in the following: Both professions demand students to complete some form of training in an accredited university. Depending on your locality, both degree programs must be accredited regionally alongside Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). To become a mechanical engineer or an electrical engineer, students must spend at least four years in a college of engineering faculty of an accredited university. Interestingly, there are online mechanical engineering programs and electrical engineering programs for distance students. In addition, irrespective of which engineering program you settle for, you will take courses in, Engineering in the Global Environment, Introduction to Systems Engineering, Principles of Engineering Management, and Technology Innovation and Strategy for Engineers. Graduating from an accredited college of engineering as a mechanical engineer or electrical engineer is the first step to having many amazing job opportunities to apply to. In fact, both engineering fields is very essential in all sectors of the economy. This means students may always find a job upon graduation. Generally, engineering is one of the hardest undergraduate programs to enrol on. However, between mechanical and electrical engineering, electrical is harder because students would have to deal with lots of subjects and complexion. mechanical and electrical have a lot in common. However, which you should do must be determined by you. You must consider the career prospects, job outlook and take-home pay of each profession in your area. This will definitely aid you to make a better choice of which you should do. Both are sub-disciplines of the engineering faculty. So, an electrical engineer who has leaned hard into technical drawing and basic mechanical stuff may work in a position initially advertised for mechanical engineers. Electrical engineers earn higher than mechanical engineers. This is however, based on collation of data collected and analyzed. Other factors like years of experience can influence annual wages for both mechanical and electrical engineers. Mechanical engineering and electrical engineering are both good programs and professions. However, Electrical engineering is the bridge between computer science and mechanical engineering. So, looking for better pay, then, EE is the best option.
Conclusion
Engineering as a degree program and as a profession is though hard but very lucrative. It is home to many sub-disciplines. Choosing which field to settle may become a hard discussion. Hence, this article on mechanical engineering vs electrical engineering Xrays the differences and similarities between the two professions. You should read this article to choose which of these professions best suits you.
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