5 Minors for Mechanical Engineershttps://www.asme.org/career-education/articles/career-and-education/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 can’t usually just hide in your work—and a

business minor is a great way to improve interaction skills and relating to the

selling of a product you might even create. “We’re talking about the professional

softer skills you need to pick up somewhere,” she says, “Here you can talk

about real world problems—the market, competition, a key in for-profit settings.

Also, in business classes you’re practicing presentation skills and there’s 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. “It’s helpful to write papers

on a topic that isn’t 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 University’s

mechanical engineering school.  “We have some students who get really

interested in human factors and it’s often involving operating machines,” Towles

says. “They’re 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 don’t 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. “You’re 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.Share ASMEShare on linkedinShare on facebookShare on twitterShare on emailMore Sharing ServicesShare on print

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"In business classes you’re practicing presentation skills and there’s often an emphasis on team projects which is coveted in the job market.Prof. Alexis Abramson, Case Western Reserve University

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