Friday, 25 June 2021
Wednesday, 23 June 2021
Best Courses After Mechanical Engineering Degree
Mechanical Engineering is one of the oldest & broadest disciplines of engineering. It has been accepted in professional education during the early 19th century.
Students can opt for any best courses after a mechanical engineering degree or may start working immediately.
It is entirely your choice to select the best field as per your interest and ability. After a degree in Mechanical Engineering, students can opt for higher advanced courses or may start working immediately.
Though jobs are available for mechanical engineering graduates in various sectors, pursuing an advanced course opens avenues for better employment opportunities.
In this article, we have listed best courses to take after a mechanical engineering degree.
What Is Mechanical Engineering?
According to Wikipedia, Mechanical engineering is an engineering branch that combines engineering physics and mathematics principles with materials science to design, analyze, manufacture, and maintain mechanical systems. It is one of the oldest and broadest of the engineering branches.
The mechanical engineering field requires an understanding of core areas including mechanics, dynamics, thermodynamics, materials science, structural analysis, and electricity. It is the branch of engineering that involves the design, production, and operation of machinery.
What Do Mechanical Engineers Do?
Mechanical engineering is seen in areas such as composites, mechatronics, and nanotechnology, and often overlaps with manufacturing engineering, metallurgical engineering, civil engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, industrial engineering, and other engineering disciplines to varying amounts.
In order to design and manufacture mechanical systems, mechanical engineers need to have a deep understanding of mechanics, dynamics, thermodynamics, electricity, and structural analysis.
They also need to be able to use computers, CAD (computer-aided design), and CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) to produce and analyze their designs, as well as to monitor the quality of products.
Mechanical engineers do the following:
What Can I Do With A Mechanical Engineering Degree?
Careers for mechanical engineering graduates can span many different industries including defense, transport, healthcare, manufacturing, machinery, IT, finance, and many others.
Mechanical engineers will be responsible for building, designing, and maintaining machinery across a wide range of sectors and purposes.
It is also possible to move into a consulting role, working as part of a consultancy or as an independent contractor.
Many graduates will also turn to further education in order to specialize further or to gain chartered engineer status. There is also the opportunity to work abroad.
What Is The Salary And Job Outlook Of Mechanical Engineers?
The median annual wage for mechanical engineers was $88,430 in May 2019.
Employment of mechanical engineers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2018 to 2028, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Job prospects may be best for those who stay informed of the most recent advances in technology.
What Are The Best Courses After Mechanical Engineering Degree?
Here some courses to offer after a mechanical engineering degree.
They Include:
1. Piping Design and Engineering Course
This is an excellent job-oriented course as it makes students industry-ready. It is one of the courses recommended by experts after one completes graduation in Mechanical Engineering. Not all engineering graduates are eligible to take up this course.
Piping course has concepts of mechanical engineering included in it, which makes it relevant for a mechanical engineer to study this course as compared to other engineering backgrounds.
Pursuing Piping Engineering opens career opportunities in Chemical Industry, Merchant Navy, Petroleum Refinery sectors, Manufacturing firms, etc. All these sectors have great demand for Piping specialists.
2. M.Tech in Mechanical Engineering
The ever-popular advanced course is an M.Tech in Mechanical Engineering. All major institutes such as the IITs, NITs, BITS, and others offer M.Tech courses in Mechanical Engineering. This is a 2-year full-time program to be taken after a B.Tech.
For working engineering graduates, this is a 3-year part-time regular program. Admission for M.Tech courses depends either on the bachelor’s degree in (B.E/B.Tech) or on the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE ) score and an interview.
The subjects of specialization in the M.Tech courses include Mechanical Engineering Design, Industrial and Production Engineering, Thermal Engineering, Automobile Engineering, etc.
3. Robotics Course
Another suitable advanced study course for Mechanical Engineering graduates is Robotics. This is the scientific study of the design and manufacturing of robots and a sub-specialization of mechanical engineering. This field of engineering is emerging tremendously, providing lots of career opportunities for the robotic engineers.
A robotic engineer has great job prospects in space research organizations, in industries that manufacture microchips, in the military, medical and automotive industries for making experimental robotics, and so on.
4. Master of Engineering in Tool Design
It is a highly lucrative course for graduates in Mechanical Engineering. This can be 2-year full-time courses or short-term diploma and certificate courses. The long-term courses offered by various institutes are
- M.E. in CAD/CAM
- M.E. in Tool Design
- Post Graduate Course in Tool, Die & Mould Design
- Post Diploma in Tool Design
- Advanced Diploma in Tool & Die Making (ADTDM)
- M. Tech (Mechatronics)
The subjects of specialization are Auto CAD CNC Programming, Application of Hydraulics and Pneumatics in Tool Design, Unigraphics (CAD &CAM), CATIA (CAD), ANSYS (CAE), Material Specification and Heat Treatment, Concept of Reverse Engineering, Press Tools, Die Casting Dies, Plastic Moulds, etc.
5. Masters in Business Administration
A popular course for mechanical engineering graduates is to do a postgraduate diploma program in management or MBA from reputable business schools or institutions. An engineering degree with an MBA is very helpful in getting jobs in managerial positions. It offers a wide choice of career options.
6. Nanotechnology
This is another excellent option for higher study for Mechanical Engineering graduates. It is the study of applied science, engineering, and technology.
Nanotechnology professionals are in great demand in industrial products, electronics, and healthcare markets, environment industries, pharmaceutical, as investment advisors in biotechnology, research and development in government, private research institutes, product development, and advising, etc.
7. Mechatronics Course
Another upcoming course for higher studies for mechanical engineers is Mechatronics, a study of science that is a combination of five disciplines: mechanics, informatics, electronics, automation, and robotics.
After completing M.E / M.Tech in Mechatronics, job opportunities are primarily found in the electronics industry, automobile manufacturing, mining, transport, gas, and oil, defense, robotics, aerospace and aviation, army, navy, air force, etc.
8. Supply chain management
Mechanical engineers who work in the manufacturing sector and product design function should grab the chance to grow and thus go beyond this.
The branch enables the aspirants to take up various leading roles in the chain of vendors, distributors, retailers, customers thereby maintaining a smooth flow in the entire process.
If you have sound knowledge about the manufacturing industry and own analytical skills, then you are in for some luck as this would turn out to be in your favor during the campus placements after completion of MBA.
This is a comparatively new field of management and it is the perfect match for mechanical engineers. Certain strategy firms are always in the search of mechanical engineers who have pursued this specific specialization.
9. Operations management
In terms of the content of job opportunities and career growth, this course is very similar to the aforementioned MBA specialization.
Aspirants who have previously completed their engineering in the mechanical department might find this sector to be very lucrative as it enables them to apply their knowledge they have gained previously.
Recently this field has been given high importance by the IT sectors as they target manufacturing clients for the betterment of the business.
If you plan to pursue this then you will have the chance of getting recruited by diverse sectors like auto and ancillary companies, pharmaceutical companies and petroleum and oil companies, etc.
10. Retail management
Owing to the boom in the mall culture, MBA in retail management is in great demand these days. You will be taught various concepts of retail as well as operation management and it will help you to optimize various processes in a retail setup.
For instance, a typical task would require you to analyze the estimate of the demand for various genres of products in a typical retail setup.
Although this field is not closely reacted to mechanical engineering, it still owes several opportunities to the engineers to leverage their work principles and skills to optimize the management.
11. Software Consulting
Another course for higher studies for mechanical engineers is software consulting. This field offers various opportunities that range from the incorporation of ERP software packages like SAP and Oracle to developing customized software for specific clients.
12. CAE Analysis
CAE stands for Computer Aided Engineering. Analysis as related to Engineering field is finding the strength of materials, that may involve calculating stress, strain, and energy when they are subjected to forces and deciding to employ a material or components or product to satisfy the desired performances.
13. 3D Modeling and Drafting
As the computer is getting more powerful, the concepts of design and then visualizing that concepts are also getting in hand .d modeling, and drafting are the skills that are now should be known to every mechanical engineer but the main point in learning this skills is to become familiar with tools and technique and then practice.
Tuesday, 22 June 2021
Monday, 21 June 2021
Which online certificate courses are credible for your career development?
Making a good first impression is key during your career search. It begins with a polished resume that showcases the relevant skills, talents, achievements and credentials. Showing potential employers that you’re actively improving yourself by highlighting certifications on your resume will make you a more appealing candidate.
If you’re an employer, certifications can become a key part of how you grow and develop your teams. Internal career development is essential to employee retention. It can also be built into the outplacement services you offer to exiting employees, when an event like a layoff or reduction in force occurs.
No matter the situation or perspective, online career certifications improve current performance and queue up success in the future. Pursuing certifications is always a good idea, but makes even more sense if:
- you’re an employee searching for a new job.
- you’re an employee looking to grow with your current company.
- you’re an employer aiming to create a future-ready workforce.
- you’re an employer wanting to set up exiting employees for success during outplacement.
Certifications will get you noticed, if they are the right certifications. Certifications will also help you to get noticed for existing job growth — salary increases, promotions and lateral moves, for instance.
As an employee, you want to talk to your supervisor about your company’s interest in career development services and strategic skilling that supports a company’s growth ambitions. As a supervisor, consider the improved productivity and morale that comes with employer-sponsored career development — not to mention the impact on your bottom line when employees level up new skills. With this in mind, it can be an easy to sell your company’s decision makers.
No matter the skills you’re seeking to improve or learn, the list below provides examples of non-accredited online course certificates and their counterparts that provide accredited certificates that will help your resume stand out even more.
Unaccredited learning: Udemy
Are you considering a professional certificate in a subject area such as marketing? The online learning platform, Udemy offers over 65,000 courses on a variety of subjects, professions and talents. It’s a great place to further your education on any job skill, hobby or personal interest. Udemy offers deep discounts often at 90% markdown on their courses nearly every month, making online learning very affordable.
Udemy certificates are not always recognizable by employers. Udemy is not considered an accredited institution, which means courses will not count toward college credit or continuing education units (CEUs). However, many of the courses are worthwhile and can help you develop new skills or improve skills you already possess. A rating system provides insight into how beneficial courses are for students. And whether or not the courses you take are accredited, your employer or potential employer will likely be impressed to see you’re committed to building your skills.
Accredited learning: University of Phoenix Online certificate courses
The University of Phoenix Online provides certificate courses in several specialization areas, so you don’t have to pursue a full bachelor’s or associate’s marketing program. Instead, the Graduate Marketing Certificate allows you to go beyond learning the ‘Four P’s” of marketing.
The University of Phoenix Online Certificate courses are also fully accredited, which means employers, recruiters and hiring managers will recognize the certificate. The site also provides full disclosure on certificate pricing. Although it’s more expensive than Udemy, the courses go beyond a few hours of content, and include quizzes and homework that test your knowledge as you progress. The University of Phoenix Online also provides lists of the fields in which graduates can use their certifications for employment and the average salary for each position.
Unaccredited learning: Coursera
Coursera is another online learning platform like Udemy. It’s backed by Stanford professors Daphne Koller and Andrew Ng, to provide an online learning library in multiple subjects including sciences, marketing, engineering and business. The site currently offers over 2,000 courses and has more than 25 million registered users.
Coursera has a mix of accredited and non-accredited courses, and works with certain colleges and universities to offer specializations in trending subjects. Coursera is considered a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). In 2017, five courses were selected and approved for credit equivalency, providing college transfer credits at colleges that accept ACE accreditation. It also offers full degree programs, payable via financial aid through the site. Many of the on-demand courses on Coursera are not accredited, though, especially if you’re pursuing a certificate in a focus area such as accounting – a popular certificate for online courses.
Accredited learning: Kaplan University certificate programs
For a complete, accredited certificate in accounting, you may want to look at Kaplan University. It offers a detailed accounting program, without needing to apply for the two-year degree program on Coursera.
The certificate is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and Kaplan’s Graduate Accounting Certificate also prepares you for the CPA exam. The site also provides the career opportunities you can expect from the certificate. Moreover, should you need more in-depth accounting education, you can return to Kaplan and apply the certificate credits toward a Kaplan Degree program. While financial aid for this certification program is not available, military funding is available. If you’re currently employed, this reputable institution could be an option to present to your supervisor or HR department for ongoing learning.
Unaccredited learning: Skill Share
Viewed as another Udemy-like platform, with over 19,000 courses and millions of users, SkillShare provides the tools you need to help with your personal career development goals. Its courses provide in-depth subject matter studies that are taught by online experts, entrepreneurs and business owners. If you’re pursuing a career in human resources, for example, Skill Share offers over 100 courses in the human resources field alone.
While Skill Share features many courses on different topics, the courses are not accredited by any institution, and Skill Share does not provide certificates at this time. If you’re currently employed, you can still consider looking into courses on Skill Share to focus on your own professional development, even if these courses aren’t accredited. And if you’re in the market for a new job, these courses can help you learn something new related to a subject you’re passionate about.
Accredited learning: e Cornell online certificate program
To get true recognition for an HR certification, you can consider a certificate from
e Cornell Online. The HR program from e Cornell online offers several different certifications in HR, including HR Management and Strategic HR Leadership. e Cornell’s certificates are also accredited by the HR Certification Institute. These courses are also taught by Ivy League faculty members and can transfer to other programs as CEUs.
All the human resources courses are structured for small class sizes and only require three to five hours of dedication each week, so it doesn’t impose on your working hours. While it takes four and a half months to complete the course and receive the certificate, it’s more in-depth, as opposed to taking a one-hour course on Skill Share and not receiving an accredited certificate of completion.
Unaccredited learning: LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn is one of the largest professional online networking platforms, so it would be sensible to offer on-the-job learning via their online platform. The service enables business and career professionals to hone their skills and expand their knowledge at a self-directed pace.
LinkedIn Learning provides users with access to learning from over 16,000 courses. You can find courses on business, tech and creative-related skills via the platform. Courses are taught by industry experts and LinkedIn Learning offers a free 30-day trial and is also included with premium memberships. While the content and learning information from LinkedIn Learning is delivered by experts in the industry, certifications are not accredited for all fields. However, when you complete a course or learning path on LinkedIn Learning, you can add the certificate for the course or the learning path to your LinkedIn profile, which can help you stand out to prospective employers and show your network that you’re learning new skills.
Unaccredited learning: GCFOL
GCFOL online learning platform is an Indian Bases E-Learning Start up offers courses on Mechanical and Aerospace subjects, professions and talents for now. It’s a great place to further your education on any job skill. Gcfol offers deep discounts often at 95% markdown on their courses nearly every Month, making online learning very affordable.
Gcfol certificates are not always recognizable by employers. Gcfol is not considered an accredited institution, which means courses will not count toward college credit or continuing education units (CEUs).
However, many of the courses are worthwhile and can help you develop new skills or improve skills you already possess. Gcfol follow their own credits systems on their certificate based on your assignments, Projects works and online Tests this rating system provides insight into how beneficial courses are for students and whether or not the courses you take are accredited, your employer or potential employer will likely be impressed to see you’re committed to building your skills.
Accredited learning: Microsoft Learning online program
For a certificate that carries weight and is recognized by employers, a better option might be to pursue the Microsoft Learning online program. There are over 16 different certifications to choose from, each with an exam to take to become Microsoft certified.
Microsoft’s certification courses are also college credit transferable and have been useful in helping graduates receive promotions to better jobs or higher-paying positions. If you choose to become Microsoft Learning certified, be sure to check out their recertification programs to stay current and keep your certifications.
An instantly recognizable name like Microsoft can also be appealing to current employers, who can bolster the company’s own brand with big-name talent certifications.
Unaccredited learning: Skill Success
Offering over 800 courses in business, technology, health, personal development, languages, and beauty and fashion, SkillSuccess provides its students with certificates and hours of content. However, it’s still considered a MOOC like Udemy and Coursera and certificates from this online learning platform might not carry as much weight with many colleges or employers.
Courses are taught by industry experts and they often provide flash sales to purchase the high-cost courses at an 80% discount. If you’re looking to move into project management with a certificate from Skill Success, it can help you learn some foundational project management skills but won’t necessarily be as valuable as the real certificate from the Project Management Institute (PMI).
Accredited learning: Project Management Institute (PMI)
The Project Management Institute offers everything you need to certify in Project Management, as well as a certificate that is immediately recognized by employers. Moreover, the PMI handbook instructs potential students on the education needed to successfully pass the PMI certification. This includes:
- Training courses offered by a Registered Education Provider (R. E. P.).
- PMI Seminars World.
- Education events hosted by a PMI chapter.
- Academic education via an accredited PMI Global Accreditation Center (GAC).
- E-Learning On-Demand Courses.
PMI provides its own online learning courses with trained and registered educators. While a project management course from Skill Success is taught by someone who currently works, or has worked, in the industry, getting the right education from a registered educator will better prepare you to take the certification exam.
Certifications That Can Impress The Recruiters
Role-Specific Certifications
1. Human Resources Certifications (PHR, SPHR, SHRM)
While not a requirement, many recruiters agree that job seekers in the HR field can benefit greatly from professional certifications.
2. Project Management Certifications (PMP)
Anyone can claim to have the leadership and organizational skills of a Project Manager, but a certification in this field really adds value to a candidate’s resume.
Employers love to see this since employees with the PMP certification tend to have a more sophisticated approach to taking projects from inception through to completion across different methodologies.
While this certification is especially helpful for those in the Project Management field, the knowledge you gain can also be broadly applied to other fields at the manager and leadership level.
3. Sales Certifications (Challenger Sales, Spin Selling, Sandler Training)
“Selling skills are often gained from experience, but candidates can stand out by including formal training or certification from a well-known sales philosophy on their resumes. A few examples: MEDDIC, Challenger Sales, Spin Selling, Sandler Training, etc.
This shows the candidate has the discipline to back up their raw skills with learnings from sales experts to improve their selling ability.
4. Help Desk/Desktop Analyst Certifications (A+, Network+)
Recruiters say these certifications aren’t quite as impressive for more senior roles, but if you’re in an entry-level position, they can help your resume stand out.
An A+ cert looks great for a lower-level position like help desk or desktop. It’s a really good starting point and will definitely help you find your footing in the IT industry.
5. Network Certifications (CCNA, CCNP, CCIE)
If you want to be a network engineer or admin, Cisco offers a variety of certifications that can boost your application.
A good network engineer/admin typically would have a CCNA or CCNP, and for the heavy hitters, you’re looking at different levels within CCIE.
The CCIE in particular “is a series of the highest level of Cisco Certifications offered for Network Infrastructure Leaders who design, build and implement enterprise networking systems.
Candidates must first pass a written exam and then pass a hands-on lab exam. When employers see that you’ve dedicated yourself to passing the written and lab portion of their CCIE it shows not only subject matter expertise, but also dedication and perseverance.
Software Certifications
1. Salesforce
From sales to marketing to customer service and more, many departments in a corporate setting rely on customer relationship management (CRM) platforms, and Salesforce is one of the most popular choices.
2. Hubspot’s Inbound Certification
Hubspot is primarily a tool for marketers, but it encompasses many different functions within that field — odds are, if you have a role within marketing, a Hubspot Inbound Certification can only help.
There are only a select few certifications that actually move the needle forward when assessing a candidate The first is Hubspot’s Inbound Certification.
It provides a framework and methodology for basic inbound marketing strategies and tactics like SEO, blogging, email marketing and social media.
3. Google Certifications (Publisher, Analytics, AdWords, etc.)
Google has a tremendous range of products and services, and almost as many certifications. Whether you’re in digital marketing, data science or software engineering, there’s likely a Google certification that you can benefit from.