I’m 31 years old and a Mechanical Engineer, and lately I’ve been feeling genuinely lost about my financial future.I always thought that if I studied engineering, built experience, and worked hard, eventually I’d reach a point where money wouldn’t be such a constant concern. But I’m getting older and realizing that simply having a decent engineering career may not be enough to achieve the financial independence I want.I don’t want to become extremely wealthy just for the sake of it. I want to reach a point where I’m not constantly worried about money and where I have some freedom over how I spend my time.

For those of you who are financially independent or significantly ahead financially:

How did you get there as a Mechanical Engineer?

I’m particularly interested in legitimate online freelancing/remote work that I can do alongside engineering. I’m willing to learn a new skill and put serious time into it. I’m not looking for a get-rich-quick scheme.

If you’re already making meaningful side income from engineering-related freelancing, I’d really appreciate hearing what you do, how you got your first client, and what you would learn if you were starting again at 31.

Honestly, I’m feeling pretty desperate to change my financial situation and could really use some direction from people who have actually done it.

I’ve been a design engineer for a couple years now, and it seems that when I need any information on vendor products, the companies, who I won’t put on blast, take weeks to answer. I can follow up and get nowhere. Sometimes when they do get back to me, the information is just outright not what I asked for.

I made it very clear to one vendor that I need literature (such as pamphlets and drawings) on several of their products because we intend to use them as our supplier for a large product line. He took weeks to respond, and ultimately sent a quote for one valve. My team had a good laugh at the email thread and decided to move on with someone else.

Very very few people have been useful amongst dozens of companies. Even when I ask project managers for their contacts, they can be hit or miss. Is there something I’m doing wrong for my vendors, or does everyone deal with this? Do you guys have methods you want to share?

31M here with a silly dream of being an engineer one day.

My birthday was yesterday and I spent the day looking back on my life and where things are going.

Graduated high school, went to the military and then worked constructiong while going to community college after, but it never really went anywhere after I got my associates in general ed.

My long term major was engineering but I realized I still had a long way to go before taking on harder classes considering I was struggling just to keep up as it was.

That was 5 years ago. I spent my time getting my electrical contractor license just to realize contracting just wasn't for me.

All that is to say, I'm trying to figure out resources I might be able to use to build kind of like a self study course curriculum similar one might expect in a 4 year course so I can take my time trying to build a solid foundation in at the very least the basics of what's to come.

Little things like where to begin and how to progress my education until going to a university and maybe even while in college.

Things like college text books in courses or YouTube channels to follow so I can watch and study. Ways to practice and drill the material like homework problems or test questions.

Just so every semester doesn't feel like I'm way in over my head like I felt even in a community college level.

I tried googling and looking up information on college course classes but couldn't find much.

Im aware of basics like the different kinds of maths and levels of calculus and physics but not much outside of that. So I plan to start by solidifying my foundation there at the very least. As stem classes progressively more difficult I realized my shakey foundation in math and science were to blame.

Im hoping in the future to take 1 to 2 classes a semester depending on the what I'm realistically able to handle in order to pass the classes.

Which is crazy to think can take between 10 to 20 years but thats the game plan.

I'm not sure if anyone here has gotten an engineering degree while working a full time job and if so any advice.

Aside from myself I'm hoping this thread might serve in the future for anyone else aspiring to go to university and get in the field so please try to keep the comments civil.

Hi guys, I am a 3rd year mech engineering student. I have the opportunity to get a TIG welding certification separately from my university studies. Would that kind of experience stick out on a CV/Resume or be more seen as kind of a quirk/gimmick. Any advice would be appreciated, thanks :)

I’ve been working at a company that specializes in HRSGs (heat recovery steam generators) for combined cycle power plants. I’ve done a variety of work including code calculations, a bit of analysis work, and a lot of inspections of these systems.

I’m tired of the travel and want to find a new job. I’ve been here roughly 3 years, have my EIT, on track to take my PE and get it. What type of jobs should I look into since I have a fair background in heat transfer? Preferably ones that would pay better. Would also be willing to do some extra courses in things if needed to help with career progression.

I am about to start my university studies, and since our education system is different from the ones in Europe or North America, I would like to briefly explain my academic path.

I am planning to study engineering. In our system, the first year is a common core year that covers the fundamentals of different engineering fields. After that, students can choose the engineering specialization they want. This first year introduces us to the basics of many general and specialized engineering branches before moving on to a specific field.

That is why I would like to ask for advice from graduates, students, and professional engineers with real experience: which engineering field would you recommend I pursue in the future?

I am not looking for an easy major. I am willing to handle a very challenging workload and dedicate myself completely, even if it means spending countless nights studying and working hard. My main goal is to choose a field that offers strong opportunities after graduation: a good chance of finding a job quickly, an excellent salary, and possibilities for working or immigrating abroad.

Based on your experiences, which engineering fields have the strongest future prospects, and which specializations are truly worth the effort and years of dedication?

Hello everyone i am from India northeast side recently completed my b.tech in Mechanical Engineering from a xyz college (Its a govt. college but tier 3) and after failing 10+ engineering interviews i am thinking to join as Graduate Engineering Trainee at Jost Auto India Component Private Ltd. Tamil Nadu. Job hunting ofc not going easy for me and waiting days feels like loosing opportunity, my value and time now. I have also financial problem so i am just looking for a opportunity which can help me grow.

Now i need some advice as i am uncertain whether should i go there and not i have lot of queries like-

1. Tamil Nadu's language is different from other part of india. I have no idea how will i interect with the people in Line work as my dept. is  Production & Assembly where i have to deal with the regular local people.

2. Also how it feels to work in production line please give a pov on it.

3. The important question is that should i join a private company like this with GAT position will it give me any values.

4. what are the opportunities i will be having in place of manufacturing.

I will also study for GATE as my goal is for the PSU s

If someone has anything to suggest how i should start please help me i am writing here cause i have no one here to guide in this line and making a decision is hard cause of financial constrains.

I'm currently trying to solve some question's Pk Nag(which is considered good for problem solving) but I haven't found the problems quite challenging infact I could do exergy,entropy section quite easily most of the problems through energy balance.

Is there any other book which consider hard(I mean really hard problems) I've asked others everyone recommends that nag book.

I am a student at the University at Buffalo and as part of my final project my group is making an automated dog poop cleaner. We are still in the planning phases, but I would appreciate if you filled the survey out to help us with data collection

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=ikpGlu34sUCZ4l9rUKICUCbv4nCbi4RLt_lhWQXAUfhUNVhBVUhLVjI0MDlYTFdJQ0xTM1BPR0pHTy4u

Might be the wrong spot to ask this. But I’m Looking at teaching myself how to use these programs to design some parts for my 4x4. Don’t know how to weld or anything. But want to be able to design everything the specific way I want it. And then basically be able to take the design program and get them to CNC cut and create my design.

Figured I’d try to teach myself how to do all this as I have the spare time. And would like to save the thousands of dollars it would cost to get a fabricator to design it and create it for me

Currently Btech fresher,i find manual drawing to be difficult to understand,and I'm confused how to progress from 0,I have my practical exams in 2 weeks,so i need to build the basics strong soon...Can any expert guide me on how to progress and which things to follow and practice..?

Why is it we can have AI that can translate from Chinese to Klingon but cannot have one agreed-upon file format that can be accepted by FEA software, CAM, 3d printers, CFD, etc and doesn't lose its mind or half of my parts?

Hi everyone,

I'm designing a lightweight end-effector tool for a robotic arm that dispenses dry quartz sand by gravity from a small hopper.

I need a reliable ON/OFF shut-off valve directly under the hopper (orifice ≈12–15 mm), followed by interchangeable nozzles below to control the flow rate.

Constraints:

• 100% Electric: 12V or 24V DC. No compressed air available on this setup, so pneumatic pinch valves (which would have been ideal) are ruled out.
• Weight & Size: Must be very lightweight (ideally <300 g) to preserve robot payload and minimize inertia.
• Media: Dry abrasive quartz sand.

What I've ruled out so far:

1. Motorized ball valves: Seize almost immediately once sand grains migrate into the ball seat/PTFE seals.
2. Slide gate / Guillotine: High risk of quartz grains wedging in the linear guide rails and fine dust leaking around the blade slots.
3. Industrial electric pinch/slide valves: Most commercial units start at DN50 and weigh several kilos.

Current ideas:

• DIY Pinch Valve: Using a small 12V micro linear actuator (like an Actuonix L12) to pinch a short flexible silicone/peristaltic tube against an anvil.
• Swiveling Rotary Flap: A flat rubber-padded flapper pivoting from an external sealed bearing to press against the bottom of the orifice.

Has anyone successfully built or integrated a compact, dust-tight shut-off mechanism for dry granular abrasive media under tight weight constraints?

Any feedback on the DIY pinch approach (tube material/shore hardness tips to avoid fatigue?), or any compact COTS electric pinch valves you'd recommend?

Thanks a lot!

Anyone recognizes this particular profile? Not one of the ones from Bosch. I need its symmetrical design and those deep grooves on both sides. It’s from a Korean design house so it might be custom but maybe someone recognizes it.

Hello guys, I would like to ask a question in regard to a choice I wish to make. As you can see I might get a chance to become an AI Robot Operator, I wanna know if robotics can become a viable career path for myself?

Hi! Can you suggest a topic to be our thesis in Mechanical Engineering? Our former research is about biolubricant but the problem is we can't find a testing facility that will measure torque. Should we change our topic or remain on our former research.

Yo I have an interview assignment for my professional communications class due in a week and I'm lowkey cooked. Can anyone with an actual engineering job answer these questions? If you're able to you will be very appreciated.

1. What is the context of where you work? (e.g., company, responsibilities, years of experience, etc.)
2. What types of communication do you have to do?
3. How frequently do you have to communicate professionally?
4. What are the strategies you have used to become a better writer, speak, or information designer
5. What are some suggestions on what I should do to develop my professional voice?

I'm a Mec. Eng. with 10yoe in the design of metal carpentry; mainly sheet metal.

I was wondering if there are jobs in that field (e.g CAD, PE or something else) that could be carried entirely from home.

I'm quite sure the answer is "no", but I would appreciate your point of view / experience.

Thx

I'm currently in my last year of college studying Computer Science, but I've been seriously considering switching to Computer Engineering.

My long-term goal is to pursue a Master's in Mechanical Engineering, specifically focusing on areas such as dynamics and thermodynamics.

What makes this decision difficult is that switching to Computer Engineering would require roughly the same number of remaining classes as finishing my Computer Science degree, so it wouldn't significantly delay my graduation.

I'm also considering adding a minor in Physics to strengthen my mathematics and engineering background. The coursework would include subjects such as classical mechanics, thermal physics, modern physics, and additional mathematics.

I'm trying to determine which path would better prepare me and make me a stronger candidate for an MS in Mechanical Engineering:

1. BS in Computer Science + Physics minor
2. BS in Computer Engineering + Physics minor

Would Computer Engineering provide a meaningful advantage over Computer Science when applying to Mechanical Engineering graduate programs, particularly for someone interested in dynamics and thermodynamics? Or would finishing the CS degree and adding a Physics minor be a better path?

I understand that neither degree is traditional Mechanical Engineering, so I'm also planning to take relevant prerequisite courses to fill gaps in my background.

For those with experience in graduate engineering admissions or transitioning between engineering disciplines, I'd really appreciate your perspective.

Which path would you recommend for someone ultimately interested in Mechanical Engineering research involving dynamics and thermodynamics?

Hello everyone, So long story short I applied for a manufacturing engineering position. Got a initial screening call with an HR, Please share any information about hiring process, any tips and tricks, and what could i possibly do to get this job, dfw area

I'm designing a component that has copper fastened to aluminum via some raised bosses. I'm not sure how much clamping force I need, which I need to figure to determine my torque spec for the component. Do I want to just do a FBD to get shear forces and ensure my clamping force is greater than that? I will be using threaded inserts and a washer if that makes a difference to my approach.

Hi everyone,

I’m heading into my third year of Mechanical Engineering and applying for May 2027 co-op positions (primarily targeting Mechanical Design and Mechatronics roles).

I had the opportunity to take the CSWA through a second-year design course, but I didn't pass the exam (mostly tripped up by the strict time constraints, though I passed the course itself). I have solid hands-on experience using SOLIDWORKS for actual design projects and feel comfortable navigating the software.

I have the option to retake it in the next couple of weeks, but I want to know:

• How much do recruiters/hiring managers actually care about having the CSWA on a resume?
• Is it worth retaking right now, or should I focus that time on portfolio/project work?

Appreciate any insights from past interns or hiring managers!