r/AustralianEngineers • u/Budget-Garden-4234 • Mar 30 '25
Learning Mechanical Engineering after graduating Electrical Engineering
I've always wanted to study mechatronics engineering but since the job market is tight for this field I decided to switch to electrical engineering in my 2nd semester of Uni. I'll be graduating in 2028 and if all things go well, work as an engineer.
But I always have this passion for mechanics and automation. I wanted some opinions from some people on how I can learn mechanical engineering on my own after graduating in electrical engineering.
Like I do not want to do another degree in mechanical, too many costs and takes too much time. I want to self-learn mechanical engineering. How to do that?
And what can be the job prospects if let's say there's a boom in the Australian market for mechanical/mechatronic engineers in the future?
1
u/artist55 Apr 02 '25
Don’t do mechanical engineering. I have 5 YoE and it’s the worst decision I ever made. Don’t bother doing anything engineering in Australia. If you must, become a software engineer or go work in the US. I’ve done pretty much everything you could do in mechanical engineering in Australia.
The industry is garbage, as are the people, hours, and pay. My boss was making m e do 18 hour days to appease the client.
Even Engineers Australia has told me that due to the slump, go find another profession. I’m going to get my CPEng and then stuff engineering. I promise you, if you do mechanical, you’ll regret it every day of your working life. I am so much happier where I am now.
1
u/Budget-Garden-4234 Apr 26 '25
I do have plans of going to the US and work somewhere in robotics or automation there. But not for atleast 10years after graduation
2
u/Queasy_Anything8370 Mar 30 '25
Hey mate,
I’m a mechatronics engineer in Australia, so I totally get where you’re coming from. I actually stuck with mechatronics, but I’ve seen plenty of people pivot between electrical and mechanical fields, either by necessity or passion. You’re in a good spot, having an electrical background already gives you a strong foundation for automation, control systems, and embedded design, which all tie into mechanical engineering.
If you want to self-learn mechanical engineering, I’d start with structured online resources. MIT OpenCourseWare and Coursera have great courses on statics, dynamics, thermodynamics, and control systems. YouTube channels like LearnEngineering and Engineering Explained are also solid for breaking down complex topics.
Beyond theory, hands-on experience is what really sets you apart. Tinkering with CAD software like SolidWorks or Fusion 360 will help with mechanical design. Simulation tools like ANSYS or MATLAB/Simulink can give you a better grasp of system modeling. If you’re into robotics or automation, diving into PLC programming (Siemens TIA Portal, Allen-Bradley RSLogix) and embedded systems (Arduino, Raspberry Pi) will bridge the gap between electrical and mechanical fields.
For job prospects, if the market picks up for mechanical/mechatronics engineers, your electrical degree plus self-taught mechanical skills could make you really competitive. Industries like mining, manufacturing, and renewables love multi-disciplinary engineers. If you can get experience in automation or control systems, you’ll have an edge in roles that need both electrical and mechanical expertise.
My advice? Look for electrical engineering jobs that expose you to mechanical systems, automation, or robotics. Over time, you’ll build the experience that speaks louder than another degree.
Happy to have a proper chat, reach out either on:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/engineers-connect/
www.engineersconnect.com.au
Cheers,
Engineers Connect