Black Intelligentsia Libraries
The New Way Of Thinking
Mechanical Engineer
​When you used to play with toys, did you ever wonder how they were made?  Ever take them apart to see how?  Do you consider or have proven yourself to be mechanically inclined or gifted?  Are you a math, physical science, and art/design enthusiast?  If any or all of these attributes describe you, then you should take a very serious look at the occupation of Mechanical Engineer.

Mechanical Engineering is practically one of the earliest engineering disciplines, for it took a Mechanical Engineer to "invent the wheel."  Mechanical Engineers use Mathematics and Physics principles to design products for specific functions, products essentially used in every industry:  from toy and automobile (manufacturing) industries to medical, banking, and education (service) fields.  Performing engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment, the Mechanical Engineer oversees the installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.  Any system with moving parts would fall under their scope.  Friction, inertia, center of balance, force, dynamics, and work comprise Mechanical Engineers' areas of expertise.  They can either design entire mechanical systems (or parts of) from scratch, or they can determine which parts of a system should be left alone and which parts need to be modified or replaced, all while keeping to a budget and without sacrificing integrity.  From the design of automotive engines and their individual parts to robotics and the mechanics of movie special effects, Mechanical Engineering has made and continues to make its mark in every facet of the mechanical and technical world in which we live.

Students entering Mechanical Engineering Bachelor's of Science programs from high school with no previous Mechanical Engineering training should expect a period 4 to 5 years to complete said program.  In the US, a Professional Engineer's license (or PE) is required for those who want to provide Mechanical Engineering services directly to the public.  So if one wishes to start their own engineering company/firm and wishes to be viewed as an expert in the Mechanical Engineering field, a license is required before being able to do so or before working as an independent consultant.  Licensure in Mechanical Engineering typically follows 4 steps over a period of years:  (1) earning a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering; (2) upon completion of degree, passing the 8-hour "Engineer in Training" (EIT or FE) standardized Mechanical Engineering exam; (3) completing 5 years of practical training or internship—"progressive" work experience with increasing responsibilities; and (4) passing the Mechanical Engineering Professional Engineering (PE) licensure exam.  In most states, continuing education is required to maintain Mechanical Engineering licensure.

Because technology is constantly changing, steadily advancing, new possibilities are always presenting themselves in the realm of Mechanical Engineering.  And as new doors open and even old doors are revisited in the world of green energy, Mechanical Engineers' skill set keep them in perpetual demand.
Job Description
Median Salary & Range
​Median Salary:  $79,230

Salary Range:  ~$51,340 - $119,950+
College Majors & Attainment Routes
​More conventional routes to becoming a Mechanical Engineer have been to major in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering (Biomechanics), Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, Marine Engineering, Engineering Physics, Manufacturing Engineering, Physics (Pre-Engineering), Engineering Mathematics or even Applied Mathematics, depending on the specific industry or field.  For those who work as Mechanical Engineers but have one of the related degrees, it would be beneficial to pursue a Master's Degree in the major, because of its broad overall scope.
Colleges That Provide Above Majors
​Colleges and universities that have Mechanical Engineering and related majors are:  Alabama A&M University (Normal, Alabama); North Carolina A&T State University (Greensboro, North Carolina); Howard University (Washington, DC); Tuskegee University (Tuskegee, Alabama); Tennessee State University (Nashville, Tennessee); Prairie View A&M University (Prairie View, Texas); Southern University and A&M College (Baton Rouge, Louisiana); Morgan State University (Baltimore, Maryland); University of the District of Columbia (Washington, DC); Xavier University (New Orleans, Louisiana); University of Maryland Eastern Shore (Princess Anne, Maryland); Florida A&M University (Tallahassee, Florida); Savannah State University (Savannah, Georgia); Benedict College (Columbia, South Carolina); Lincoln University (Lincoln University, Pennsylvania); Florida Memorial University (Miami Gardens, Florida); Wilberforce University (Wilberforce, Ohio); Spelman College (Atlanta, Georgia); Morehouse College (Atlanta, Georgia); Bennett College (Greensboro, North Carolina); Oakwood University (Huntsville, Alabama); and Saint Augustine's University (Raleigh, North Carolina).
Available Scholarships