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2. Duties A mechanical engineer is responsible for many things, and must be disciplined across multiple areas. Responsibilities include: Researching the “feasibility, design, performance and operation of mechanisms, systems and components” (“Mechanical Engineers (NOC 2132)”) Planning projects, including calculating cost & time estimates Supervising and guiding maintenance crews and technicians Preparing documents for contracts, operation manuals, etc. Creating “maintenance standards, schedules and programs” (“Mechanical Engineers (NOC 2132)”)

3. Requirements/Abilities EducationSkillsKnowledge At minimum, a bachelor’s degree A masters degree or doctorate may be required A license to approve technical drawings and reports (“Mechanical Engineer (NOC 2132)”) High school courses such as drafting and shop classes are recommended, as well as physics and chemistry (“Mechanical Engineers in California”) Complex problem solving Critical thinking Judgment and decision making Reading comprehension Mathematics Engineering and Technology Design Mechanics Mathematics Physics (“TypeFocus: Mechanical Engineers”)

4. Attributes If your interests and values correspond to these, mechanical engineering may be a good career to consider! Interests: Investigative Realistic Conventional Values: Recognition Achievement Independence (“Typefocus: Mechanical Engineers”) You must be hardworking, willing to adapt and learn, and have creativity.

5. The Occupation Today Statistics for BC: Average Salary (full time): $66 000 – $95 000 Median hourly rate: $37.50 Employed workers: 4600 Percentage of full-time workers: 65% (“Mechanical Engineers (NOC 2132)” Benefits: Insurance – Medical – Dental – Vision Vacation, sick leave, holiday Retirement benefits Some employers may also offer additional benefits such as: – Profit sharing – Disability insurance – Education assistance ("Mechanical Engineers in California”)

6. Appeal Well paying Substantial benefits Variety of career directions to take Good prospected job growth – 1:1 unemployed workers to job openings ratio (“Mechanical Engineer (NOC 2132)”) Ability to make a difference in the world, directly or indirectly

7. Works Cited "Mechanical Engineers in California." State of California Employment Development Department. State of California. Web. 16 July 2015. "Mechanical Engineers (NOC 2132)." WorkBC Official Website. Province of British Columbia. Web. 15 July 2015. "TypeFocus: Mechanical Engineers." TypeFocus. Typefocus. Web. 15 July 2015. MLA Formatting