Mechanical engineering is perhaps one of the oldest and largest branches of engineering. Almost every industry uses the application of mechanical engineering as it involves the design, operation and maintenance of various types of machines and their components.

Work

Mechanical Engineers are concerned with various types of machinery and all aspects of their mechanism and functioning; the design, development, construction, production, installation and operation of all mechanical systems in industries, including power plants, transport equipment, air-conditioning systems, boilers, refrigerators and internal combustion. Besides this it also involves designing of specialised tools called machine tools as well as design and operations of manufacturing systems and processes, air conditioning and refrigeration system, etc.

The responsibility for repairing and maintenance work also rests with mechanical engineers. They need to ensure the maximum utilisation and repair of machines. Research work involves developing new processes and applications for use in the manufacturing process or the use of new materials.

You need to have a penchant for numbers and calculations. You also need to have a good memory to recall complex calculations and measurements and conversions. Studying for Mechanical engineering is like studying mathematics, physics, statistics, chemistry and computer science all rolled into one. The functioning, design and working of machinery brings in aspects of physics. Calculation of ratios, proportions of apparatus size to required product volume etc bring in the mathematical elements. Use of machinery in transport, air-conditioning, boiler, refrigeration etc reflects the role of chemistry. A good deal of interest in the sciences, along with a keen sense of curiosity to experiment will also give you an advantage.

Attributes

The qualities required in order to be successful in this career are similar to the engineering field. These include numerical ability, accuracy, perseverance, ability to work under pressure, organising ability, practicality, ability to get on well with people of all types- at all levels in the hierarchy,-from operatives to heads of research and managing director, ability to keep calm under pressure and in inevitable crises, and a liking for being at the centre of action. It is also necessary to like working with tools, drawing sketches of complex things and operations, and conceptualising forms and structures. While a high level of practicality, skill, accuracy, understanding power, capacity to toil, and perseverance are needed in ample quality, one must also have a knack for numbers and the ability to express one's ideas precisely to others.

Job opportunities

Mechanical engineers can find employment in the following areas:
* Government Sector, including the railways, municipal corporations, telecommunications departments, etc.
* Public Sector organisations
* Private companies
* As commissioned officers in the defence services
* Research organisations and laboratories
* As technical experts on engineering projects in banks and financial corporations
* An engineer can set up his/her own small unit/company or consultancy

Mechanical Engineers are in demand in most sectors of the industry and the field will continue to provide employment options due to its indispensable nature.

Eligibility

In order to qualify as an engineer, you need to have at least a graduate degree (BE/BTech) or a diploma. The basic requirement required in order to apply for a BE/BTech is 10+2 or its equivalent examination, with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Selection to all Engineering courses is usually on the basis of merit or marks secured in the final exams of 10+2 (with science subjects) or through the means of entrance exams.

The BE / BTech courses for the duration of four years while the diploma courses are of 2-3 years' duration.

The course content for mechanical engineering includes theory of machines, applied thermodynamics, machine design, fluid mechanics, refrigeration and air-conditioning, machine tool design, heat transfer, prime movers, pumps and compressors.

Institutions

Some of the premier engineering colleges in India are:
Indian Institute of Technology (New Delhi, Mumbai, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur, and Chennai )

Regional Engineering Colleges ( Warangal, Andhra Pradesh ; Silchar, Assam ; Jamshedpur, Bihar ; Surat, Gujarat ; Kurkshetra, Haryana; Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir; Surathkal, Karnataka ; Calicut, Kerala ; Visvesvaraya REC, Nagpur, Maharashtra ; Rourkela, Orissa ; Jaipur, Rajasthan ; Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu ; Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh ; Durgapur, West Bengal ; Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh ; Jalandhar, Punjab.)

Birla Institute of Technology (BITS) - (Pilani and Ranchi.)

Delhi College of Engineering, Delhi.

University of Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttar Pradesh.

Jadavpur University, Kolkata