To commit to a life-long career one must first be certain that it is something they are extremely fond of. That is one of the most prominent lessons my father, Ramon Santos, a mechanical engineer, has taught me. My father has worked as a mechanical engineer for almost 20 years and loves his occupation a little more everyday. .
His interest in this field began when he was a nine-year-old boy in Dominican Republic. At that time he lived with his uncle who was also a mechanical engineer. Everyday after school my father would run home and help his uncle at work. Tools surrounded his whole life and as other children aspired to be veterinarians and astronauts, my father always knew he wanted to be an engineer. .
Being a mechanical engineer takes several years of training. My father went to college in Dominican Republic, and to this day, he still takes courses at New York University. Glatt Air Techniques, the company he works for, pays for schooling in order to advance further in his position. To be an employee of Glatt a minimum of five years of experience is required. Other requirements include being proficient in Auto Cad and Programming Logic Control. You must also be very comfortable around machines and tools because in this branch of engineering one deals with the generation and application of heat and mechanical power and the design, production, and use of machines and tools.
A mechanical engineer has both its perks and disadvantages. Some advantages of being a mechanical engineer are always being able to try new things and constantly being challenged with new obstacles. Along with high points every job has its low points. A con about being a mechanical engineer is the severe work schedule. An engineer's work never ends because there is always a machine to be fixed or a program to be learned.
In conclusion the best advice that you can get from an experienced engineer is to make sure that you are ready to endure tough training and several years of education.