Help! Struggling with Mech Eng course
Hi all, i know this isn’t the first time things like this have been posted but I’m hoping someone can give me some relevant advice.
I’m finishing my first year, after already doing a foundation year, on a mechanical engineering course. I don’t mind the course overall but when I’m there, I don’t really find much of it interesting. Most of the modules, I’m okay with. Anything to do with physics and anything practical, I’m scoring 70% - 90% which is good. However, the maths and computing modules, I’m lucky to get 40%. I’m already resitting maths and idk about computing yet. I just feel completely lost with it all.
Then when i look at what jobs i could get after my degree, none of them seem appealing. I’d personally rather a job going to different sites or working outdoors more. Maybe i should have done civil engineering? I sometimes wonder if i should have just done a trade instead lol.
Ik this is probably a load of hard to read waffle but I’m just fed up with it all.
Any advice anyone can give would be greatly appreciated!
I’m finishing my first year, after already doing a foundation year, on a mechanical engineering course. I don’t mind the course overall but when I’m there, I don’t really find much of it interesting. Most of the modules, I’m okay with. Anything to do with physics and anything practical, I’m scoring 70% - 90% which is good. However, the maths and computing modules, I’m lucky to get 40%. I’m already resitting maths and idk about computing yet. I just feel completely lost with it all.
Then when i look at what jobs i could get after my degree, none of them seem appealing. I’d personally rather a job going to different sites or working outdoors more. Maybe i should have done civil engineering? I sometimes wonder if i should have just done a trade instead lol.
Ik this is probably a load of hard to read waffle but I’m just fed up with it all.
Any advice anyone can give would be greatly appreciated!
Reply 1
Original post by Skiing_is_life
Hi all, i know this isn’t the first time things like this have been posted but I’m hoping someone can give me some relevant advice.
I’m finishing my first year, after already doing a foundation year, on a mechanical engineering course. I don’t mind the course overall but when I’m there, I don’t really find much of it interesting. Most of the modules, I’m okay with. Anything to do with physics and anything practical, I’m scoring 70% - 90% which is good. However, the maths and computing modules, I’m lucky to get 40%. I’m already resitting maths and idk about computing yet. I just feel completely lost with it all.
Then when i look at what jobs i could get after my degree, none of them seem appealing. I’d personally rather a job going to different sites or working outdoors more. Maybe i should have done civil engineering? I sometimes wonder if i should have just done a trade instead lol.
Ik this is probably a load of hard to read waffle but I’m just fed up with it all.
Any advice anyone can give would be greatly appreciated!
I’m finishing my first year, after already doing a foundation year, on a mechanical engineering course. I don’t mind the course overall but when I’m there, I don’t really find much of it interesting. Most of the modules, I’m okay with. Anything to do with physics and anything practical, I’m scoring 70% - 90% which is good. However, the maths and computing modules, I’m lucky to get 40%. I’m already resitting maths and idk about computing yet. I just feel completely lost with it all.
Then when i look at what jobs i could get after my degree, none of them seem appealing. I’d personally rather a job going to different sites or working outdoors more. Maybe i should have done civil engineering? I sometimes wonder if i should have just done a trade instead lol.
Ik this is probably a load of hard to read waffle but I’m just fed up with it all.
Any advice anyone can give would be greatly appreciated!
There are physical analysis roles in mechanical engineering although far more is being moved to digitalization, and a mechanical degree will focus on the science first so the next 3-5 years will be very much pen & paper driven.
I do believe there will always be a need for physical analysis & lab based experimental R&D but most professional engineers don’t spend most of there life in the lab (and even when they do a lot is with the support of technicians who did apprenticeships getting better training on the skills required for this type of work).
You have a few options:
•
if you still enjoy engineering but want to be more hands on day-to-day, perhaps look at engineering degree apprenticeships (as an example I recommend looking at companies like BP, Rolls-Royce aerospace, JLR, GSK...) this can introduce you to opportunities in a variety of industries (consider manufacturing/quality/prototype development)
•
I think jobs in construction industry (an area in civil engineering) like quantity surveyor have more hands on opportunities but you’ll have to do the research
•
You’ve already identified trades: electricians etc. there will always be jobs for skilled tradesmen. They are vital to the infrastructure we all enjoy. Never somewhere ive worked but from my mates who are tradies I think finding a good company where you can be mentored & developing good skills is important at the start of your career
Reply 2
Original post by Skiing_is_life
Hi all, i know this isn’t the first time things like this have been posted but I’m hoping someone can give me some relevant advice.
I’m finishing my first year, after already doing a foundation year, on a mechanical engineering course. I don’t mind the course overall but when I’m there, I don’t really find much of it interesting. Most of the modules, I’m okay with. Anything to do with physics and anything practical, I’m scoring 70% - 90% which is good. However, the maths and computing modules, I’m lucky to get 40%. I’m already resitting maths and idk about computing yet. I just feel completely lost with it all.
Then when i look at what jobs i could get after my degree, none of them seem appealing. I’d personally rather a job going to different sites or working outdoors more. Maybe i should have done civil engineering? I sometimes wonder if i should have just done a trade instead lol.
Ik this is probably a load of hard to read waffle but I’m just fed up with it all.
Any advice anyone can give would be greatly appreciated!
I’m finishing my first year, after already doing a foundation year, on a mechanical engineering course. I don’t mind the course overall but when I’m there, I don’t really find much of it interesting. Most of the modules, I’m okay with. Anything to do with physics and anything practical, I’m scoring 70% - 90% which is good. However, the maths and computing modules, I’m lucky to get 40%. I’m already resitting maths and idk about computing yet. I just feel completely lost with it all.
Then when i look at what jobs i could get after my degree, none of them seem appealing. I’d personally rather a job going to different sites or working outdoors more. Maybe i should have done civil engineering? I sometimes wonder if i should have just done a trade instead lol.
Ik this is probably a load of hard to read waffle but I’m just fed up with it all.
Any advice anyone can give would be greatly appreciated!
What uni do you go?
Reply 3
Original post by mnot
There are physical analysis roles in mechanical engineering although far more is being moved to digitalization, and a mechanical degree will focus on the science first so the next 3-5 years will be very much pen & paper driven.
I do believe there will always be a need for physical analysis & lab based experimental R&D but most professional engineers don’t spend most of there life in the lab (and even when they do a lot is with the support of technicians who did apprenticeships getting better training on the skills required for this type of work).
You have a few options:
I do believe there will always be a need for physical analysis & lab based experimental R&D but most professional engineers don’t spend most of there life in the lab (and even when they do a lot is with the support of technicians who did apprenticeships getting better training on the skills required for this type of work).
You have a few options:
•
if you still enjoy engineering but want to be more hands on day-to-day, perhaps look at engineering degree apprenticeships (as an example I recommend looking at companies like BP, Rolls-Royce aerospace, JLR, GSK...) this can introduce you to opportunities in a variety of industries (consider manufacturing/quality/prototype development)
•
I think jobs in construction industry (an area in civil engineering) like quantity surveyor have more hands on opportunities but you’ll have to do the research
•
You’ve already identified trades: electricians etc. there will always be jobs for skilled tradesmen. They are vital to the infrastructure we all enjoy. Never somewhere ive worked but from my mates who are tradies I think finding a good company where you can be mentored & developing good skills is important at the start of your career
Thanks for taking the time to reply. Some useful advice and things to look into there. Thank you
Reply 4
Original post by Skiing_is_life
Hi all, i know this isn’t the first time things like this have been posted but I’m hoping someone can give me some relevant advice.
I’m finishing my first year, after already doing a foundation year, on a mechanical engineering course. I don’t mind the course overall but when I’m there, I don’t really find much of it interesting. Most of the modules, I’m okay with. Anything to do with physics and anything practical, I’m scoring 70% - 90% which is good. However, the maths and computing modules, I’m lucky to get 40%. I’m already resitting maths and idk about computing yet. I just feel completely lost with it all.
Then when i look at what jobs i could get after my degree, none of them seem appealing. I’d personally rather a job going to different sites or working outdoors more. Maybe i should have done civil engineering? I sometimes wonder if i should have just done a trade instead lol.
Ik this is probably a load of hard to read waffle but I’m just fed up with it all.
Any advice anyone can give would be greatly appreciated!
I’m finishing my first year, after already doing a foundation year, on a mechanical engineering course. I don’t mind the course overall but when I’m there, I don’t really find much of it interesting. Most of the modules, I’m okay with. Anything to do with physics and anything practical, I’m scoring 70% - 90% which is good. However, the maths and computing modules, I’m lucky to get 40%. I’m already resitting maths and idk about computing yet. I just feel completely lost with it all.
Then when i look at what jobs i could get after my degree, none of them seem appealing. I’d personally rather a job going to different sites or working outdoors more. Maybe i should have done civil engineering? I sometimes wonder if i should have just done a trade instead lol.
Ik this is probably a load of hard to read waffle but I’m just fed up with it all.
Any advice anyone can give would be greatly appreciated!
Khan academy for math. Got me through my mech Eng degree with a strong 2:1 with no A levels. Alternatively, K.A Stroud (any edition) is my book of choice.
You can do any civil engineering job with mech eng. Aerospace, civil, automotive, and all that stuff is just mech eng tailored by the university.
Tailor your degree yourself to your interests where you can. I did both my dissertations and optionals on bio and medical eng topics. Now work for a healthcare company in skeletal reconstruction.
Reply 5
Original post by Skiing_is_life
Hi all, i know this isn’t the first time things like this have been posted but I’m hoping someone can give me some relevant advice.
I’m finishing my first year, after already doing a foundation year, on a mechanical engineering course. I don’t mind the course overall but when I’m there, I don’t really find much of it interesting. Most of the modules, I’m okay with. Anything to do with physics and anything practical, I’m scoring 70% - 90% which is good. However, the maths and computing modules, I’m lucky to get 40%. I’m already resitting maths and idk about computing yet. I just feel completely lost with it all.
Then when i look at what jobs i could get after my degree, none of them seem appealing. I’d personally rather a job going to different sites or working outdoors more. Maybe i should have done civil engineering? I sometimes wonder if i should have just done a trade instead lol.
Ik this is probably a load of hard to read waffle but I’m just fed up with it all.
Any advice anyone can give would be greatly appreciated!
I’m finishing my first year, after already doing a foundation year, on a mechanical engineering course. I don’t mind the course overall but when I’m there, I don’t really find much of it interesting. Most of the modules, I’m okay with. Anything to do with physics and anything practical, I’m scoring 70% - 90% which is good. However, the maths and computing modules, I’m lucky to get 40%. I’m already resitting maths and idk about computing yet. I just feel completely lost with it all.
Then when i look at what jobs i could get after my degree, none of them seem appealing. I’d personally rather a job going to different sites or working outdoors more. Maybe i should have done civil engineering? I sometimes wonder if i should have just done a trade instead lol.
Ik this is probably a load of hard to read waffle but I’m just fed up with it all.
Any advice anyone can give would be greatly appreciated!
Hi mate. Just seen your post and I specialise in helping students doing mechanical engineering.
I was in the same boat as you after my first year so I know how you feel. I take it you're in 2nd year now?
If you need any help just let me know!
Original post by Skiing_is_life
Hi all, i know this isn’t the first time things like this have been posted but I’m hoping someone can give me some relevant advice.
I’m finishing my first year, after already doing a foundation year, on a mechanical engineering course. I don’t mind the course overall but when I’m there, I don’t really find much of it interesting. Most of the modules, I’m okay with. Anything to do with physics and anything practical, I’m scoring 70% - 90% which is good. However, the maths and computing modules, I’m lucky to get 40%. I’m already resitting maths and idk about computing yet. I just feel completely lost with it all.
Then when i look at what jobs i could get after my degree, none of them seem appealing. I’d personally rather a job going to different sites or working outdoors more. Maybe i should have done civil engineering? I sometimes wonder if i should have just done a trade instead lol.
Ik this is probably a load of hard to read waffle but I’m just fed up with it all.
Any advice anyone can give would be greatly appreciated!
I’m finishing my first year, after already doing a foundation year, on a mechanical engineering course. I don’t mind the course overall but when I’m there, I don’t really find much of it interesting. Most of the modules, I’m okay with. Anything to do with physics and anything practical, I’m scoring 70% - 90% which is good. However, the maths and computing modules, I’m lucky to get 40%. I’m already resitting maths and idk about computing yet. I just feel completely lost with it all.
Then when i look at what jobs i could get after my degree, none of them seem appealing. I’d personally rather a job going to different sites or working outdoors more. Maybe i should have done civil engineering? I sometimes wonder if i should have just done a trade instead lol.
Ik this is probably a load of hard to read waffle but I’m just fed up with it all.
Any advice anyone can give would be greatly appreciated!
Hi there,
The step up of maths is quite intense joining an engineering course, I know a lot of people struggle! It's normal to have areas in first year that come more naturally and some that need a lot of work.
Most universities have a maths support or will run additional coding/software sessions for struggling students, I would recommend reaching out to your lecturers and teaching staff to see what they can do. Most of the time they will be eager to help and will have had students with the same issues before!
As for wanting a more outside on-site role, it may be you are focusing on design engineer roles which are often very software forward, office roles. I did my placement as a construction engineer looking at it from a mechanical perspective, I was mainly out on the site co-ordinating ideas and plans between the builders an the design team, making sure the constructability and strategy of the design was viable. Maybe try investiagting roles in mixed teams of engineers such as construction, maintenance or outdoor projects.
Hope this helps
Amber
Coventry University Student Ambassador
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