Exploring the Path to Mechanical Engineering: Insights from InterLink
As school begins, we often get questions from aspiring engineers about what we do at InterLink Engineering and how we got to where we are today. To help future engineers understand the field, we decided to share some insights and advice on what it's like to work as a Mechanical Engineer.
What Engineering does InterLink Do?
InterLink is primarily a Mechanical Engineering firm with a team of skilled designers and engineers who specialize in planning and developing mechanical-based parts and systems. While our focus is on mechanical components, we often collaborate with experts in electrical engineering when projects require it.
Mechanical Engineering is an incredibly broad field. In school, you learn a lot of math and physics related to how forces affect objects, like why a chair needs to be strong in certain places to hold someone up or how gears and chains in a bicycle work together. You also get an introduction to electricity and how fluids and gasses behave under different conditions. For example, understanding how hot water rises in a boiling pot while colder water sinks is essential in some types of mechanical engineering: we may use these skills in analyzing cooling, pressure, and airflow systems. Our main focus at InterLink is to focus on helping people create products that make life easier, from everyday objects to complex machinery.
The Journey to Becoming a Mechanical Engineer?
The path to Mechanical Engineering often starts with a degree in the field, as is the case for the leaders at InterLink. They began their careers by creating manufacturing drawings, which serve as blueprints for turning ideas into tangible products. Over time, they progressed to building 3D models using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software, like SolidWorks, and eventually took on more complex projects involving multiple components.
However, not everyone at InterLink followed the same route. Some of our designers started out as the people who physically build products. Their hands-on experience gave them valuable insights into what designs work well and what doesn’t, which later helped them transition into 3D modeling and design.
Tips for Aspiring Mechanical Engineers?
If you're interested in pursuing a career in Mechanical Engineering, we recommend focusing on classes in physics, math, and CAD. But don't stop there—exploring related fields like manufacturing, programming, electrical engineering, or materials science will give you a more rounded understanding of how different systems work. Also, start making things yourself! Whether it's building a simple model or designing something more complex, hands-on experience is invaluable.
Another key piece of advice is to gain industry experience as soon as possible. If you’re passionate about designing cars, for example, try to get a job that brings you closer to them—whether that’s assembling, selling, or even washing cars. The more you immerse yourself in the industry, the more familiar you’ll become with how things work and what challenges can be overcome.
The Rewards and Challenges of Mechanical Engineering
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a Mechanical Engineer is seeing your ideas come to life. It’s incredibly satisfying to watch something you envisioned become a real, functional product. At InterLink, we also take pride in helping people and making products better.
Of course, like any profession, Mechanical Engineering has its challenges. One of the toughest parts can be figuring out how to make something work, especially when the details are complex and require a lot of time and patience. However, the effort is worth it when you finally see the finished product.
We hope this gives you a clearer picture of what it’s like to work in Mechanical Engineering and how you can prepare for a career in this exciting field. If you have more questions or want to learn more, feel free to reach out—we're always happy to share our experiences!
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