By Matthew Butkowski

Basic Description and Why You Are Interested: A robotics engineer designs, puts together, and operates machines like robots. They also develop new applications for robots as well as research to expand the potential of robotics. I am interested in this job because I love putting things together (I have a bedroom full of LEGO sets) and for whatever reason, my favorite characters in movies and video games turn out to be robots. I’ve taken a short summer course on how to build a robot that has already been programmed, and really enjoyed it.

Values: A robotics engineer should be creative, and self-motivated with an ability to “think outside the box”. They also think that it is possible to advance robotics to a new level and further use these to help communities. Tasks and Responsibilities: Building, configuring, and testing robots. A robotics engineer is also capable of designing software systems to program these robots. One more thing is that they are constantly analyzing and evaluating the prototypes they have created due to technology’s constant advancement. Working with Data-People-Things: A robotics engineer is most fluent in working with things such as mechanical parts. They are also advanced in data, with having to be able to develop software systems for programming purposes. In the people category, robotics engineers must be able to collaborate with a team when need-be. Work Environment: Robotics engineers have time in both a lab and their office. While in their lab, they design mechanical parts to create the larger robot they’re making. In the office, they are working on plans and writing papers. Working Hours: A typical work week in the life of a robotics engineer will be around 40 hours, from Monday to Friday. However, the project they’re working on a the time could change their schedule drastically. They may need to stay overtime to complete a project by a deadline.

Aptitudes and Abilities: As said before, robotics engineers need to be advanced in creativity, mathematics, physical science, and collaborating with a team. Education and Training: To become a robotics engineer, one needs to earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Courses in robotics typically include general training in pneumatics and hydraulics, numerically controlled systems, CADD/CAM systems, integrated systems, logic, and microprocessors. A bachelor’s degree may take 4-5 years to earn. For more advanced positions in the industry, a master’s of doctorate level degree is required. Finally, a robotics engineer will also always need to increase his/her own technical knowledge. Salary and Benefits: The national average for a salary of a robotics engineer is around $72, 860- $91,000. Some benefits of a robotics engineer include paid holidays and vacations, health insurance, and retirement plans. Career Outlook: The career outlook for this job is expected to increase slowly at a below average rate, but become very good in the future. International Career Outlook: There is projected to be around 50,200 job openings in the future of engineering from

The typical lifestyle of a robotics engineer is an average, if not somewhat above average, lifestyle. That is truthfully what I would prefer. A lifestyle that is enough to keep everything going, and then a little more too. With the projected increase in career outlook for this job, it may even become a job that leads to an even better lifestyle.

Location: In the U.S.A., the state with the most campuses focusing on this career is California. However, Michigan and Ohio also offer great opportunities to advance in robotics. Career Cluster: The career of being a robotics engineer falls under the mechanical career cluster, among multiple other technology based careers. It could also be placed under the industrial, business detail, and scientific career clusters.

Basic Description and Why Are You Interested: Mechanical engineering is one of the most basic engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers usually design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal devices. By now, I think it’s obvious why I’ve chosen this career. I really enjoy building things, taking them apart, and adding on to them. It’s also a very rare occurrence to not see me using some type of technology.

Values: Mechanical Engineers believe there is always something to be learned from technology and it is always possible to improve upon the technology that we have. Tasks and Responsibilities: Most mechanical engineers are capable of Analyzing problems to see how mechanical and thermal devices might help solve the problem, as well as designing mechanical and thermal devices using analysis and computer-aided design, and developing and testing prototypes of devices they design. Afterwards, they analyze the test results and change the design as needed. Working with Data-People-Things: Mechanical engineers work with all types of machines, including robots, computers, elevators, engines, and even refrigerators. Like other engineers, they do work as a team with multiple people such as engineering technicians. Work Environment: Most mechanical engineers work in manufacturing industries, architectural and engineering services, and research and development. Mechanical engineers usually work in professional office settings. Sometimes they will visit worksites where a problem or piece of equipment needs their attention. Working Hours: Most mechanical engineers work full time, and one-third work around 40 hours a week.

Aptitudes and Abilities: In order to succeed in their job, mechanical engineers must have these 5 skills: creativity, listening skills, math skills, mechanical skills, and problem- solving skills. Creativity is essential because this job requires being able to design and build complex pieces of machinery and equipment. You will need listening skills because you will often be working in groups with others, and math comes in handy for analysis, design, and troubleshooting your work. Mechanical skills are needed to apply basic engineering concepts to the design of new devices, and having basic problem-solving skills are always good to have, regardless of what career you have. Education and Training: You will need a bachelor’s degree to become a mechanical engineer. Most schools offer 4 or 5 year programs to achieve this. However, to advance in this field, you may want to consider earning a master’s or graduate’s degree to further their understanding of their work and of new technology that keeps coming. Salary and Benefits: Since May 2012, the annual pay for this job is around $80,580. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, vacations, paid holiday and sick days, and retirement benefits. Career Outlook: Mechanical Engineering employment is expected to go up around 5% from 2012 to This is a below average projected growth rate. However, this could differ by the company you are employed by. International Career Outlook: The international career outlook for this career is bright, due to new technology being developed constantly. Due to this, there are likely to be many more openings in the field of engineering.

The projected growth rate of this job is at a below average rate, but likely to grow bigger in the future, this career earns a medium lifestyle. Nothing to fancy, but enough to keep everything moving along until the growth rate increases. By the time I am able to become a mechanical engineer, the growth rate may have increased, giving those with the career a better lifestyle than some. I would be comfortable in this type of lifestyle.

Location: Michigan is one of many states that is looking for people to fulfill this job and its responsibilities. Other states looking for these people include Wisconsin, Connecticut, South Carolina, and Indiana. Career Cluster: This career falls under the industrial, mechanical, business detail, and scientific career clusters.