Jon Mestas

Starting a new job in mechanical engineering requires acclimating to company practices and mastering essential tools and standards. Review company documentation, SOPs, and safety manuals. Familiarize yourself with relevant code standards, and master applicable software, along with project management tools. Engage with professional organizations like related to your field, read technical journals, and take online courses. Network and seek mentorship for guidance. Embrace hands-on projects and training to apply your knowledge. Focus on these resources to build a strong foundation and add long-term value to your role. Also, be sure to give back to your younger peers 💯.

To ace your review start by keeping a detailed record of your achievements, backed by specific metrics. Make sure your contributions align with your company goals, showing how your work directly supports their mission. Treat the review like a presentation—summarize your accomplishments and future plans clearly and confidently. Regularly seek feedback and show how you’ve incorporated it to continuously improve. Highlight any additional training or certifications you’ve completed to showcase your commitment to growth. Set clear, measurable goals for the next period, and understand the market value for your role to discuss industry standards. By doing this, you’ll be well-prepared to articulate why you deserve a salary bump. Get after it 👊

Simple checklist: 1. Define Requirements: Identify functional requirements and constraints (e.g., strength, durability, cost). 2. Consider Environment: Assess environmental conditions the material will face (e.g., temperature, humidity, chemicals). 3. Evaluate Material Properties: Compare mechanical, thermal, electrical, and chemical properties using material databases. 4. Assess Availability and Cost: Investigate material availability, initial and long-term costs, ensuring budget fit. 5. Prototype and Test: Create prototypes with selected materials and conduct tests to validate performance, adjusting choices as needed.

Your salary directly reflects your skills and knowledge. To maximize your potential, seize every opportunity to expand your industry expertise. Shift your focus from personal gain to how you can enhance your performance for your employer. In a society that often emphasizes individual entitlement, it’s crucial to recognize the power of contribution. Strive to improve your company and elevate those around you. By doing so, you will ultimately reap the rewards of your efforts. Embrace a value-driven mindset, prioritize the success of your team and organization, and witness how your growth and the company’s growth become intertwined.

Maintaining a positive attitude during a career change in engineering is all about embracing the unknown challenges ahead as golden opportunities for growth. This mindset doesn't just help you cope—it fuels your excitement and determination. I know this firsthand. I remember walking into my DE course feeling intimidated beyond reason. The complex equations seemed impossible at first. But then I took a deep breath and reminded myself: by the end of this course, I'll know how to tackle these problems. And guess what? With each lecture and problem set, my confidence grew. This experience taught me that by embracing the unknown and trusting the process, we can achieve remarkable growth. You've got this!

As you begin your journey as an engineer, it's essential to understand both your strengths and limitations. One of your greatest strengths is problem-solving, so embrace your creativity and don't shy away from taking risks. Remember, mistakes are often the best learning opportunities. Find a mentor who can guide you and invest time in nurturing that relationship. Equally important is to give back by supporting and mentoring younger colleagues, helping them navigate their own paths.