Why did you decide to become an ME?
I didn't. I somehow just ended up as one (kind of)
Did you take the traditional route (BSc) or through HNC/D?
Started out with a BA (mathematics), then moved to aeronautical engineering for my MSc, then PhD in mechanical engineering, although what I do is still fairly mathematical as far as engineering goes (developing numerical methods for application to solving physical problems; fluid mechanics, elasic / plastic deformation of solids etc).
What was the hardest part of your training?
The undergraduate maths course. No offence to other engineers, but having been involved in a wide range of different disciplines in the physical sciences, the level of complexity and technical understanding required for engineering professions pales in comparison to that of maths.
Did you find jobs where you lived/did you have to travel?
Well, I stayed in academia, so this isn't entirely relevant to me. But yeah, you will need to expect to travel if you want to find a good job that suits your specialty. If you're flexible on what you want to end up doing, and how much it actually uses your skillset, you can probably find jobs within a specific local area.
Are there opportunities for contracting?
Strongly dependent on what area you go into. But if that's what you want to do you can certainly end up in consultancy / contracting.
What is a typical day like for you?
Get up around 8-ish, go into the office for around 9 or 9.30, then work until my brain gets tired or my stomach gets empty. Most of my day involves programming of the software I have written, writing/reading academic papers, and dealing with students *shudder*. If I have a good idea or a deadline coming up I may well work in the evenings too, but it's largely up to me, and depends what I'm working on (more likely to work in the evenings when I'm programming for example).
What sort of salary can you earn?
In academia, not much (start at £24k for a post-doc, around £32k for a first-rung lecturewr, £60k+ for a professor). In industry you would expect maybe 50% more, but of course for that you also become someone else's bitch
Have you always been interested in gadgets/electronic equipment?
Yes. Ever since I was old enough to ask the question "why?"
Have you always been technical/mechanicaly inclined?
Yes. Again, since childhood I always looked at things in an analytical manner.
If you have ever taken an IQ test, what section did you score highest on?
I score well on all areas of IQ tests, except for anagrams / other similar puzzles. This isn't a boast; analytical / problem solving / spatial reasoning intelligence is pretty much the only kind I have. I'm your typical high-IQ social retard. You will find that this is common in the physical sciences.
What is the most interesting thing about your job?
Doing, for the most part, whatever the hell I want. If I have a good idea, I can work on it. If I find something which I think could be commercially viable (which I have), I can develop it whilst still keeping a regular salary to pay the bills.
Hope this has been of some help; I know I'm not exactly the typical mechanical engineer, but I do work in the mechanical engineering department at the University.
Certainly hard work but a great sense of achievement.
