I recently graduated with a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering and find myself at a crossroads regarding my next steps. I’d appreciate insights from professionals or those with similar experiences on the following:
1. **Career Path Uncertainty**: Should I pursue a Master’s degree, seek industry employment, or explore entrepreneurship (e.g., starting an engineering firm)? If the latter, what foundational steps would you recommend?
2. **Lack of Direction**: I entered this field primarily due to family expectations, without a clear understanding of the discipline. Even post-graduation, I feel disconnected from the profession and uncertain about viable opportunities.
3. **Primary Motivations**: While financial stability is a priority, I’m also experiencing significant burnout. My goal is to align my next move with practical income generation, but I’m unsure which route offers the best ROI for my situation.
**Key Questions**:
- Is a Master’s valuable without clear specialization interest?
- What entry-level roles might help me "discover" the field?
- Are there low-barrier engineering-adjacent ventures (e.g., consulting, CAD services) for new graduates?
- How might I reconcile familial expectations with my own career satisfaction?
I’d greatly appreciate any advice, personal anecdotes, or resource recommendations. Thank you in advance
1. **Career Path Uncertainty**: Should I pursue a Master’s degree, seek industry employment, or explore entrepreneurship (e.g., starting an engineering firm)? If the latter, what foundational steps would you recommend?
2. **Lack of Direction**: I entered this field primarily due to family expectations, without a clear understanding of the discipline. Even post-graduation, I feel disconnected from the profession and uncertain about viable opportunities.
3. **Primary Motivations**: While financial stability is a priority, I’m also experiencing significant burnout. My goal is to align my next move with practical income generation, but I’m unsure which route offers the best ROI for my situation.
**Key Questions**:
- Is a Master’s valuable without clear specialization interest?
- What entry-level roles might help me "discover" the field?
- Are there low-barrier engineering-adjacent ventures (e.g., consulting, CAD services) for new graduates?
- How might I reconcile familial expectations with my own career satisfaction?
I’d greatly appreciate any advice, personal anecdotes, or resource recommendations. Thank you in advance
