Jobs directly related to your degree
- Mechanical engineer - uses engineering principles to provide efficient solutions to the development of processes and products, ranging from small component designs to extremely large plant, machinery or vehicles. Mechanical engineers work on projects from design stage to final commissioning of the new system.
- Aeronautical engineer - applies scientific and technological principles to research, design, maintain, test and develop the performance of civil and military aircraft, missiles, weapons systems, satellites and space vehicles. The role is focused on enhancing high-quality flight safety and standards, as well as reducing system costs and the environmental impact of air travel.
- Automotive engineer - designs, tests and develops vehicles and/or components from concept stage through to production. Automotive engineers specialise in areas such as aerodynamics, alternative fuels, chassis, electronics, emissions, ergonomics, manufacturing, and supply chain management.
- Petroleum engineer - applies technical skills and knowledge to solve engineering challenges. Petroleum engineers acquire expertise in a wide range of areas, including petrophysics, drilling and product operations, reservoir engineering, production geology, production technology, and field development economics.
- Maintenance engineer - plans the routine maintenance of plant, equipment and machinery. Maintenance engineers develop efficient methods of maintaining new equipment or plant, are involved in the installation and commissioning process, and work to improve the useful life of plant, equipment and machinery. They also diagnose faults, oversee critical repairs and attend breakdowns.
Jobs where your degree would be useful
- Mining engineer or drilling engineer - ensures the safe and economically sound development of mines and other surface and underground operations. The role combines an understanding of the effects of these structures on their surrounding environment, technical knowledge and management skills. They also assess the viability of new sites and assist with planning their structure.
- Water engineer - a generic title given to engineers who specialise in water-based projects. Many have a civil engineering or environmental background. They may work with a variety of different liquids but generally deal with the provision of clean water, disposal of waste water and sewage, and prevention of flood damage.
- Production manager - responsible for the planning, coordination and control of industrial processes. They ensure that goods and services are produced efficiently, are of the right quality, quantity and cost and that they are produced on time, to the satisfaction of the customer and at the right price.
- Patent attorney - deals with obtaining and enforcing intellectual property rights on behalf of inventors or organisations. Patents are granted by the government and give inventors the right to prevent the commercial use of inventions by other parties for a limited period.
- IT consultant - works in partnership with clients to overcome business challenges through the application of technology. A consultant's work will often be based on the need to improve efficiency and the way a company functions, using IT to achieve this.
Other options
Any mechanical engineer with enough on-the-job experience and expertise can work as a consultant or independent contractor. While this type of employment may not be as secure as working for a company or organisation, it can expand your career options and allow you to choose the clients you work with.
Due to the highly numerical content of your course, you will be well placed to enter a range of careers in finance or management consultancy. You could consider, for example, becoming an accountant, actuary, investment banker or trader. You will also have a good grounding in general business, so management and business consultancy roles are also open to you.
Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it’s not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here. Look at your degree... what next? for informed advice on career planning and graduate employment, or login/register with My Prospects to find out what jobs would suit you, a helpful starting point for self-analysis.
Explore types of jobs to find out more about the above options and related jobs.
