How do I Become a Junior Mechanical Engineer?

An individual who enjoys inventing and building new things may be interested in pursuing a career in mechanical engineering. Junior mechanical engineers are professionals who design, build, and test a huge variety of products and equipment. They usually work in research and development departments of manufacturing plants, coming up with new designs for electronics, engines, industrial machinery, computers, and appliances. An individual who decides he or she wants to become a junior mechanical engineer can pursue a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and complete up to two years of formal, on-the-job training.

Many future engineers become interested in the field at an early age. A high school student who wants to become a junior mechanical engineer can prepare for his or her eventual career by tinkering with different machines and electronics and taking numerous courses in math and physics. Individuals can learn a great deal about the way mechanical systems work by taking devices apart and reassembling them. They can supplement their hands-on experience by learning the principles of electricity and kinetics in advanced physics and math classes. Most students begin looking for colleges with strong mechanical engineering departments in their junior and senior years.

Bachelor's degree programs in mechanical engineering usually take four to five years to complete. Undergraduates take classes in a number of different subjects, including statistics, advanced physics, computer science, and biology. Most schools offer students the opportunity to take specialized, hands-on mechanical engineering courses in their last two or three years. Students receive instruction on how to design blueprints, write technical papers, and record product testing data, skills that are essential to become a junior mechanical engineer.

After graduation, an individual who wants to become a junior mechanical engineer can pursue an entry-level position at a manufacturing plant, government organization, biotechnology firm, or construction company. A new professional usually receives extensive training from established engineers and scientists so that he or she can become familiar with company policies and learn the specific procedures, tools, and equipment that are employed at the facility. After gaining sufficient experience and proving his or her competence for the job, a new worker can officially become a junior mechanical engineer.

Many new and prospective junior engineers apply for membership in nationally respected organizations, such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in the United States. Many organizations give individuals the opportunity to gain certification by taking written exams that test their knowledge of mechanical engineering principles, safety, and laws. Gaining certification adds to an engineer's credentials and makes him or her an attractive prospect for advancement within a company.