Names: Mohammad A.Diakite
Section: ENG 1101, D371
Date: 05/11/15
College: NYCCT
PROJECT # 2
Exploring City Tech’s Mechanical Engineering Technology Major and a Career in The U.S Coast Guard.
I am Mohammad and I attend New York City College of Technology. My major is Mechanical Engineering Technology. For my career I plan to become a U.S. Coast Guard Officer with a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology. These are the best career choices for me because Engineers and Coast Guard Officers are needed worldwide. The Coast Guard Officer Job is related to my favorite hobby, which is swimming, and it is related to Homeland Security, which is what I have always dreamed of doing. Engineering is ranked one of the most employed careers in the United States. It also has one of the best pay rates in the country and even in other countries.Based on those criteria, I think I have a better chance of success in this field. In this essay, I will first write about the requirements to become a successful college student with a Mechanical Engineering Technologydegree. I will then write about the jobs available in the market for mechanical engineers.Lastly, I will write abouthow a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology will help me boost my chance in the Coast Guard and what is the duty of a mechanical engineer in the US Coast Guard.
As a Mechanical Engineer at New York City College of Technology, we learn how to use machines to make our products and how to use the proper softwares for our drawings and machine designs. According to the New York City College of Technology catalog, “A balanced curriculum provides a solid foundation in the scientific and mathematical principles on which mechanical design is used, as well as ample hands on experience in our well-equipped laboratories”. As a City Tech student, I want to be able to use the machines that I need for my major accurately and advantageously. For example, the lathe, the horizontal and vertical milling machine, the drilling machine and the CNC machine, etc. After triumphantly completing my bachelor degree at New York City College of Technology, there are morechances that I would be employed in an Engineer-based company like Verizon, Con Edison and many more. Although it was not stated in the catalog, a degree in Mechanical Engineering will boost my chances of being in the United States Coast Guard program since they also seek engineers to work for them.
The job market for mechanical engineering is wide. Mechanical engineers are known for inventing, making, repairing, and testing tools, machines, and many more. Basedon the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic, “Mechanical engineers generally work in professional office settings. They may occasionally visit worksites where a problem or piece of equipment needs their personal attention. In most settings, they work with other engineers, engineering technicians, and other professionals as part of a team.” People think of mechanical engineers as people in an auto shop although it is more like an office job where they spent most of the time drawing or inventing things in the computer. According to the “Engineer Salaries: Good News, So-So News” article by Robert Beverly, “The good news for young engineers is, once we get into the intra-engineering competition for employment, mechanical engineering projects the second-largest amount of projected job openings at 99,600”. Competitive companies like Verizon, Con Edison, car companies and many more are seeking mechanical engineers because they are the ones to create and make something unique for the company and make the company a more competitive and productive company. For example, the competition between the Apple Incorporation and Android Incorporation is huge. They are both seeking mechanical engineers who know how to use the most recent softwares to make the designs. Thisis why they are looking for mechanical engineers who have recently graduated college since they have a more innovative mind, modern knowledge, proficiency in the latest technology and the skillset. The companies’ future depends on these engineers to make their products better than any other companies that they are competing with. In order for these companies to stay in the market competition, they need to update their engineers or hire new ones. This means that the more recent you get your bachelor degree, the better chance you have in the industry. As soon as you get your degree, you have to get hired or your chances of finding a job decreases.
Being a part of the United States Coast Guard is my number one dream. After successfully completing my Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, I have a better chance to become a Coast Guard Officer because I have a higher level of education. On top of that I am an engineer. As I mentioned before, they are seeking mechanical engineer like any other competitive companies out there. Based on the U.S Coast Guard Career website, mechanical engineers are needed in the Coast Guard to become Machinery Technician which is also called MK’s. “MK’s maintain engineering systems at virtually every Coast Guard unit and actively participate in operational missions. Technical training and experiences obtained are comparable with occupations in commercial engineering and law enforcement field”. Most people enter to become a Coast Guard immediately after obtaining a High school diploma while I am planning to enter after I receive my bachelor’s degree, so that my chances of being hired for that position is greater. Mechanical engineers are necessary to ensure all equipment work perfectly and if there is a problem with an equipment, there is someone present to resolve the problem. Without the equipment working properly, Coast Guard Officers would not be properly equip and able to protect our borders as they are today.
Studying Mechanical Engineering Technology at City Tech plays an integral role in my career. This major boosts my chances of entering the United States Coast Guard. Mechanical Engineering involves designing and manufacturing products, buildings, etc and at City Tech, with our well equipped Laboratory, our faculties help us design and make some products from small individual parts and devices to large systems. It helps us prepare for the real world out there. These large systems are used in the society. In the Mechanical Engineering field, knowledge, understanding, creativity, innovation and a broad range of skills are necessary in order to be successful and at City Tech, based on the City Tech catalog, “The Mechanical Engineering Technology program provides the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary for success in a broad range of technical career”. These aspects correlate with the core values of being a Coast Guard. Both fields show me that I am needed in the society which is what I dreamt of accomplishing all of my life. Serving the community does not only impact myself but it also has a positive role on the society.
In conclusion, as a Mechanical Engineer student at City Tech, all I can say is that I made the right decision on choosing this major. I do not have a second thought on choosing another major because Mechanical Engineering Technology is the only major I can see myself comfortably fitting into. My only desire when I began college was to have hands on experience and I am getting the hands on experience every time I attend City Tech which helps me to learn and succeed. If you are tactile and like to beinvolved in designing and manufacturing products, buildings, etc.then Mechanical Engineering Technology is the right major for you at City Tech. Based on my research, Mechanical Engineers are increasingly needed, so finding a job after getting a bachelor degree should not be difficult. At City Tech, although you are enrolled for a bachelor program in Mechanical Engineering Technology, you have the ability to receive an associate degree while pursuing your bachelor degree. This option was organized by the department to promote working at a job in the Mechanical Engineering field while attending college. It gives you more knowledge and better chances of success.Anyone who is unwilling to get their hands dirty, should reconsider if this is the right field for them. Although we spent most of our time drawing in the computer, we sometimes make those drawings in the lab, and that requires a lot of dirty work. Engineers turn ideas into reality.
Work cited
New York City College of Technology (City Tech). “Mechanical Engineering Technology”. New York City College of Technology College catalog 2014-2015.Web.30 April 2015.
United States. “Mechanical Engineering Technology.” Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-2015 Edition. Web. 30 April 2015.
Robert, Beverly. “Engineer Salaries: Good News, So-So News.” Editor’s Note(August 2013). 0891-9976. EBSCO HOST. Web. 06 May 2015.
United States. “Mechanical Technician” Coast Guard. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. United States Coast Guard, 2015 Edition.Web. 30 April 2015.
New York City College of Technology (City Tech). “Mechanical Engineering Technology”. New York City College of Technology College catalog 2014-2015.Web.30 April 2015.
