Expert: Al Hall - 5/1/2007

Question
Hi my name is Jonathan Padron and I'm a 10th grade student at South Miami Senior High School.  In my critical thinking class we are researching careers.  My ideal career is Mechanical Engineer and one of the activities is interviewing a Mechanical Engineer.
The questions are below.
1. How would you characterize this career? (Competitive, conservative, rapidly changing, stressful, etc)
2. What are your predictions for the future for this career? Is it expanding?
3. Are qualified workers needed in this field? Where is the greatest need?
4. wha is the potential income for this career? What is the typical salary range?
5. what is a typical day/week like in your job?
6. what do you like most about your job? least?
7. If you were hiring someone for this job, what kind of a person would you hire? What skills and personal attributes are most important? What qualifications would a person need?
8. how did you get into this career? What was your career path?
9. what personal advice would you give someone wanting to enter and advance this career field?
10. What education or training is required? what courses/major should s person choose? What schools are best to attend?
11. What are typical mistakes people make that prevent advancement in this career?


Answer
1) I am in a rapidly changing area of Mechanical Engineering.  I would call my job rapidly changing.
2) My predictions for this area is that it is changing, and my position may be eliminated soon.  Mechanical Engineering is still a good field to go into, I feel.
3) Qualified workers are always in demand. I am unsure where the greatest need is.  Sorry.
4) I am not a good one to ask this question.
5) It is always changing.  New problems always occur to solve.
6) I enjoy traveling the most.  I dislike working outside in bad weather sometimes.
7) I would seek a person who is upper-middle in intelligence, yet still personable and can communicate.  This person would need to have an engineering degree.
8) I got into this career following college 24 years ago.  My career path has taken me all over the US, and around the globe from time to time.
9) Keep your eyes open, and your mouth shut.  Feel free to offer input, only when you KNOW the right answer.
10) My job requires an engineering degree.  Mechanical is best, however, I have seen electrical and chemical engineers suceed as well.
11) Advancement is held back when a person is unable to comunicate, and get along with others.