5 Minors for Mechanical Engineers

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You major in mechanical engineering and are excited to learn the ins and outs
but there are other skills that can be a strong complement to that invaluable
degree, and they may not be so obvious. With this in mind, here are a few
minors for mechanical engineers to consider.
Data Science

Image: seewhatmitchsee

Big data is hot right now and knowledge of data analytics can be a potential
boost to job performance for a ME, says Alexis Abramson, professor of
mechanical and aerospace engineering at Case Western Reserve University.
We are collecting more data on everyday life, she says. What used to be
dealing with hundreds of pieces of data is now seemingly endless. By being
able to use this data to inform their design process and their understanding of
failure, the lifetime of engineered devices can be improved. You used to have
an engineer with years of experience to make a call on an invention but now
you also have years of data to run analyses.

Business

Abramson is quick to remind that you cant usually just hide in your workand a
business minor is a great way to improve interaction skills and relating to the
selling of a product you might even create. Were talking about the professional
softer skills you need to pick up somewhere, she says, Here you can talk
about real world problemsthe market, competition, a key in for-profit settings.
Also, in business classes youre practicing presentation skills and theres often
an emphasis on team projects which is coveted in the job market.

The Humanities

This covers more than one minor, but Abramson likes the humanities because
they often force you to improve critical thinking skills and are another place to
further develop conversation skills. Many humanities minors can fit the bill but
she does see English and History as two standouts. Its helpful to write papers
on a topic that isnt actually a technical report, she says. You learn to have an
argument and clearly articulate it. Exactly what could help you in defending your
product when you have to find a way to appeal beyond just the numbers.

Image: seewhatmitchsee

Psychology

A key factor in a successful product? Understanding the mentality of the

potential user. A psychology minor could be just the ticket, says Ryan Towles,
an undergraduate academic advisor for Michigan Technological Universitys
mechanical engineering school. We have some students who get really
interested in human factors and its often involving operating machines, Towles
says. Theyre interested in how people react with controls, how do they look at
signals with an interface. And it allows them to understand how the human brain
relates. But it also can assist when you get ahead on the corporate ladder. In a
management position it can help you get a sense of how that employee is doing
and what will motivate them, Towles says.

Electrical Engineering

And, just in case you dont want to stray from engineering for even a minor,
Towles likes electrical as a leg up in many areas. It just has so many things it
crosses over to, he says. Youre talking robotics, aerospace, hydroelectric, and
more. Having that background will give you the advantage of speaking that
language better, and also help with fitting into that fabric.

Eric Butterman is an independent writer.

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August 2015
by Eric Butterman, ASME.org

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"In business classes youre practicing presentation skills and theres

often an emphasis on team projects which is coveted in the job market.
Prof. Alexis Abramson, Case Western Reserve University
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