Tell me about it
Mechanical engineers are concerned with applying engineering principles and rules to all sorts of machines and their components. Engines, gas turbines and steam power plants, propellers and hydraulic turbines all fall into this category.

The work is largely about converting energy, usually from fuel, wind or water power, into a useful application - such as a vehicle engine converting power from petrol or diesel into motion. It almost always involves gears, cogs, pulleys or hydraulics, used in a wide variety of applications such as the transmission system of a vehicle, its brakes or its steering mechanism.

Mechanical engineers may work in manufacturing industry, making engine components, textile machinery or aircraft parts, or in processing, designing, making and operating industrial plant. They can apply their engineering skills to an almost endless range of machinery, from designing and building an aeroplane wing, to developing a new human hip joint, a more efficient car engine, or a production line in a factory.

Experienced mechanical engineers usually achieve either incorporated or chartered status. Broadly speaking, incorporated engineers specialise in applying modern technology, while chartered engineers focus more on research and development or manufacture and installation.

Entry level
Although it is possible to begin training for craft or technician level jobs straight from school with good GCSEs/S grades in English, maths and science, the normal way to train as a professional engineer is to study full time at university or college for a first degree. Entry is with at least two or three A levels/three or four H grades, normally including maths and a science subject, or equivalent qualifications, plus five GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3). At many universities, you can take a one-year foundation course if you don't have the necessary background in science and maths.

Graduate apprenticeships in engineering may be available in England, bringing together study at degree or diploma level with structured work-based learning.

Making the grade
To qualify as an incorporated mechanical engineer, you should, having successfully completed an accredited three-year BEng degree or equivalent qualification, undertake a period of initial professional development, including practical training and professional engineering experience. You would then have to pass a professional review, before gaining corporate membership of the Institution of Incorporated Engineers.

To qualify as a chartered mechanical engineer, you must have an accredited MEng degree or equivalent qualification, complete a period of initial professional development, which includes training and professional engineering experience, and pass a professional review with an interview, before gaining corporate membership of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Personal qualities
As a mechanical engineer, you would need to be good at, maths, science and technology, to have a logical, inventive and inquiring mind, and to be skilled at planning and organisation.

If you are working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, you would need to be able to communicate with a variety of people. These could be fellow engineers, who would share your technical expertise and understanding, or non-technical specialists in other fields, who would expect you to explain your ideas clearly to them. You could also find yourself managing a team of people working on a project. In addition, you may need to take into account the costs and budget of a project, so you would need some business skills.

Looking ahead
Once qualified, you would have excellent prospects of promotion, particularly if you can combine engineering skills with managerial aptitude. Mechanical engineering can provide a good starting point for a career in management because it is a wide-ranging subject area that requires and develops a number of different technical, people management and business skills.

Potential employers include manufacturers in all industries, research and development companies, local and central government departments, the armed services, IT companies, and public utilities (eg water, gas, electricity).

Some mechanical engineers work independently as consultants. Overseas, there are good opportunities with British firms of consulting or contracting engineers working for foreign governments, or with international oil and mining companies.

Alternative suggestions
Other possibilities might include aerospace engineer, agricultural engineer, automobile engineer, civil engineer, marine engineer, materials scientist or mining engineer.

Take-home pay
Graduate salaries start at around £18,000 to £22,000 a year. If you gain incorporated engineer status, your earnings should increase to around £36,000 a year. Chartered engineers may earn £50,000 a year, or more.

Effects
Normal working times are 37 to 40 hours a week, although the actual number of hours may be considerably longer, depending on the deadlines for any given project. You may have to work on a rota system if you are involved with industrial production.

Sources of information
Institution of Mechanical Engineers: www.imeche.org.uk
Engineering Careers Information Service: www.enginuity.org.uk
Institution of Incorporated Engineers: www.iie.org.uk

CRCI: GH