r/Engineers

I have an associates degree in Mechanical drafting and design. I have 7 years as a mechanical designer, designing fixtures, machine and robot cells and tooling, test benches.

Im in my early 30s and feel like I need to get a 4 year degree especially since I do the same level of work as the other engineers in my group. I was all in on mechanical engineering but it's looking like 8 years of school if everything goes perfectly. The time commitment is daunting. I had a talk with my manager and he thinks it would be better to get a degree that's not ABET accredited, or something less intensive since my experience is so valuable and get a degree for something along the lines of applied engineering or mechanical engineering technology that I could do in 4-5 years. I tend to agree with him but I've been overloaded with information and I'm just feeling lost on what I should do.

What do you guys think? What would you do in my shoes?

I have not been able to locate any programs that assist students who have completed their engineering degrees.

Programs for college reimbursement and tuition payment for teachers and nurses are significantly more numerous at the state and federal levels than those for engineers. The majority of engineers depend on employer-specific tuition reimbursement, which is much less extensive and frequently more costly than the wide range of programs available to teaching and nursing professionals.

Is there anyone else who has observed this? Only after graduating and working for a while did I realize this.

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some career guidance from people who have experience in the chemical/process industry.

Here's my background:

- B.Tech in Chemical Engineering (Graduated in 2021)

- Due to COVID and the job market at the time, I couldn't start my career in core chemical engineering.

- I decided to pursue an MCA and transitioned into software development.

- I now have almost 3 years of experience as a Software Engineer (MERN/Full Stack).

Lately, I've been thinking about combining both of my backgrounds instead of treating them as separate careers.

I'm interested in roles where software and chemical engineering intersect, such as:

- Process digitalization

- Industrial software

- Manufacturing IT

- Process data analytics

- Process modeling/simulation

- MES/SCADA/Automation software

- Digital transformation in chemical/pharma/oil & gas companies

My concern is that I don't have professional experience in the chemical industry, even though I have the degree.

My questions are:

1. What kinds of roles should I target?

2. Which skills should I learn to become a strong candidate (Aspen HYSYS, Aspen Plus, Python, SCADA/PLC, PI System, etc.)?

3. Are there companies that specifically value someone with both software development and chemical engineering knowledge?

4. Has anyone here made a similar transition?

I'd really appreciate any advice or roadmap from people working in this space.

Thanks!

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So I (19, UK located) am beginning my first year of university in a month. I have been studying engineering in college since I was 15 (part time course while still in school) and have a solid understanding of CNC, CAD, material selection and quality management, production planning as well as solid workshop skills.

I'm going on to study a course in manufacturing engineering which also has management modules. Now it should be said that I am going to fight through university regardless of the answer to this post, as I already know what the next 4-5 years of my life will look like - deprived of fun, sleep and I can guarantee my evenings will be either studying or applying for work placements/internships/graduate jobs.

Now I think everyone in the UK who is my age and a little older understands the struggle of finding a job, every employer wants experience and no employers are willing to get you that experience. For the most part my generation has been relegated to dead-end fast food jobs and stacking shelves in supermarkets, I've watched it happen in my own part time work. I myself have accepted that the likelihood is that I will never be rich and wherever I end up will likely be dead-end with little to no prospects of branching out, that's the way the cookie crumbles but I truly believe some dead-ends are better than others.

I have no doubts that somewhere in this subreddit is a UK based engineer who's done manufacturing and went to uni, and that person is in a good spot having fought through our modern job market. I'm asking this question with hopes of pure honesty, no sugarcoating. How bad is it out there? What more can I do with my studies to improve my employability and chances of getting some work experience whilst in university and a full time job outside of university?

I’m a Computer science and Urban planning double major entering my junior year, I’ve always been somewhat interested in engineering but I was always a bad student. After a bunch of medical diagnoses and surgery I found out I’m actually not a terrible student! Just didn’t have the energy before to learn. My school doesn’t offer engineering and my first few semesters GPA is too bad to transfer to an instate school that has engineering. I’m hoping to take physics for a science credit and with CS I’ll go all the way to calc II. Is it unrealistic to go for an engineering masters? I’m also not too sure which type, I’m thinking civil or geospatial but I’m not sure if I know the full scope of either, I also have a lot of interest in transportation and am NYC based. I would love to stay here postgrad. Any advice is appreciated 🙏.

What roles can a civil engineer do in big tech companies (with a major in water resources)?
If you are a civil engineer working in big tech, what do you do?

Hey y'all, pretty self explanatory. Was wondering if anyone had made anything cool for teachers, as I was looking for a project to make for my girlfriend who is an english teacher!

Helooo engineers! I'm doing a capstone project for school and I'd like to ask if there are any simulation apps online to test custom-made machines and stuff?

Hallo everyone, my friends and I are organizing a seminar in our university class for engineering students about the direction of the engineering industry in 2026 and beyond, and we'd like to hear opinions from people who are currently working in the field.

Rather than asking which technologies are simply “trending,” we're interested in which technologies are actually driving changes in engineering work and real-world industrial practices.

Hey I recently got into my dream university and I picked electrical engineering as the major. Is there something I should know or do you have any tips you can give me? I would also really love if someone could give me tips on what hardware I should have and if I should invest into a better computer. Thanks

What degree would keep both career paths open, if I’m undecided between becoming an actuary and an engineer? I’m taking Maths, Physics and Chemistry at A-level .

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I'm a full-stack engineer focused on AI systems, backend infrastructure, and agentic workflows. I enjoy building from 0→1, working directly with founders, talking to users, and shipping fast.

What I've worked on:

- AI agent systems and evaluation frameworks

- Full-stack apps with TypeScript, Next.js, FastAPI, PostgreSQL, and Redis

- Backend APIs, automation, and developer tooling

I'm looking for:

- Early-stage (idea, MVP, or early revenue)

- Cash + meaningful equity

- High ownership and fast execution

- Remote preferred, open to relocation for the right team

If you're building something ambitious and need an early engineer,pls DM me.

I will share my work over DM.

Who’s selected for mechanical eng at Nust h12 campus or EME??

Sry, this might turn into a long post as I may or may not need a place to dump my thoughts. English is not first language, sry ahh.

For context, I am 27 years old. I already have an undergrad degree in International Business and I just completed my Masters Degree in a similiar field, focused on economics and management.

Adding to that, I have been trying to find a job for the last four to five months, which led to two interviews but essentially no successfull job offer so far. I am not particulary discoureged and am sure, if I put more time and wrote more applications, I will be able to find a job.

However, since starting my undergrad studies 7 years ago I kept thinking about pursuing STEM. The thing is, in my teens and early 20s I was very VERY heavily intimidated by math and physics. I always found these subjects interesting but I guess bc of my mediocre performance in high school I always felt like I was never good enough to actually study smth STEM related. If that makes sense. So, I took on a business major. But I always deeply admired people studying chemistry, physics, math, engineering etc. I guess now that I matured, I keep thinking about *what if I just studied engineering sooner*

Now, I am in a position rn where I can go back to uni and start another undergrad in civil engineering. But the thing is, I am scared. Mad scared. I think about starting the studies and my stomach twists into thousend knots. I keep thinking about *what if I fail* and how difficult math, mechanics and physics etc. might be and my throat goes dry. I am SCARED. I know this degree comes with a lot of work, I am not underestimating it. If anything, I am intimidated by it. But I also really respect and admire it. And idk I am just thinking *could* I do it?

I have some friends who are laughing or rather discouraging me from the idea of me starting another study program, nonethless it being civil engineering. Saying that it wont add anything to my resume, and will only make me fall more behind in the job market. Since I could use the time better and do networking and get actual work experience. And since I am 27 idk if I should comit to studying minimum another 4 years, which -if I even succeed in getting that degree- will make me start job hunting with (earliest) 31, 32 even. Which i guess might put me at a more disadvantage? ANd this is the thing, that actually bugs me, bc as my friends, why do you think I could not do it? A part of me just wants to start studying engineering and only tell them what I did once I got the degree, yk? But I am also really affected by what they are saying and see the point regarding the job.

Since my family is kinda academic, I am lucky that they are willing to put up with me pursuing another degree, which gives me some comfort.

But still, I cant shake the thought of *what will others (my friends) think of me pursuing another degree* and *will i be too old to start working*

Sry, I had to get this off my chest, thank you for reading.

I'm now entering my first year in uni and this question just popped up in my mind. How cooked is our field?

Hi guys, I’m off to study Chemical Engineering this September at the University of Huddersfield and wanted to get some advice. My A levels didn’t fully go to plan and I ended up with decent grades, but not enough for some of the more highly ranked universities. I’m really excited to start, but I’m slightly worried about whether going to Huddersfield could disadvantage me when it comes to placements, internships and graduate jobs. For anyone who has studied Chem Eng at a similar university or is now working in the industry, how much does university reputation actually matter, and is it possible to get into competitive companies/schemes from a university like Huddersfield?

LSBU (Southwark, central London)

**•**Year 1: Engineering Maths, Solid Mechanics & Materials, Fluid Mechanics & Thermodynamics, Electrical Circuit Analysis, Design & Practice, Object-Oriented Programming (C++)

**•**Year 2: Advanced Engineering Maths, Engineering Design, Solid Mechanics & FEA, Dynamics & Control, Thermofluids & Sustainable Energy, Machine Drives & Mechatronics

**•**Optional placement year available

**•**Final year: Manufacturing Systems & Materials Tech, Dynamics & Systems Modelling, Innovation & Enterprise, Thermofluids & Turbomachinery, Individual Project

**•**All modules compulsory — no elective specialisation pathway, though there’s a separate “Advanced Vehicle Engineering” option

**•**Facilities: CNC machines, waterjet cutters, wind turbine/solar rigs, VR lab

**•they claimed “**Ranked top 5 UK for Mech Eng, 3rd for student satisfaction”

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University of Hertfordshire (Hatfield)

**•**Similar core years 1-2 (maths, statics, CAD, materials, thermo, fluid mechanics, dynamics, heat transfer)

**•**Final year: choose a 30-credit specialisation pathway — Thermal Management (Renewable Energy Systems, Thermal Systems Design), Automation & Robotics (PLC Systems, Mechatronic Systems), or Engineering Management

**•**Placement year OR study/semester abroad option

**•**New dedicated engineering building (Spectra) — labs, wind tunnel, automotive workshop, controls testing suite

**•**Named grad/placement employers: Tesla UK, Bosch, Amazon, Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce

**•**Ranked 2nd in East of England for Mech Eng (regional, not national)

My situation: LSBU is a manageable commute and keeps a part-time job I have; Hertfordshire is a longer commute with no direct TfL access but has the stronger final-year specialisation options. Long-term interest is energy/nuclear engineering, likely via a Master’s after this degree.

Questions for anyone who’s done either:

**•**How genuinely useful was the placement year in practice — did the university actually help you land one, or were you on your own?

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**•**If you did an elective pathway (Hertfordshire) or the standard fixed course (LSBU), did it meaningfully shape what jobs you could get afterward?

My first choice was civil engineering because I liked architecture and buildings but I heard the pay was bad so I went for CE. I’ve been having doubts with CE though because I’ve heard there are many Civil Engineers grad especially in my country(PH). I’m having a hard time understanding physics which made me doubt I can do CE but when I found out that IE is more on statistics, I was pretty good with that. I may seem like I’m only choosing either the two eng’g field because of the pay but I really do want to know which one pays more and can be quite consistent because I also want to travel in the future and provide for my family. I’ve been researching more about other engineering field as well! I also still have 2 years before college.

I was wondering what their lifestyle is like and their salary over the years of experience. And if you can add more important details :))