Mechanical Engineering Guide for College Upperclassmen
By: Eric Barlet
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Table of Contents
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IV.
Page Number
Preface
a. Contents/Scope
b. Audience
c. Assumptions
d. Organization
e. Tips
Research and Study Resources
a. Engineering Toolbox Website
b. Engineering Village Database
c. Catalog of U.S. Government Publications
d. Journal on Theoretical and Applied Research in Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Job Resources
a. Monster Job Search Website
b. Nittany Lion Career Network
General Resources
a. ASME Website
b. Statistical Abstract if the United States
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Preface
Contents/Scope:
This guide encompasses a variety of information about online resources pertaining to mechanical
engineering. The resources in the guide are aimed to help college upperclassmen as they prepare for
their final courses and job hunt. Most of the material covered in the resources requires a high level of
education in mathematics and engineering. The resources offer information about current events in the
mechanical engineering field, advice and help on finding a job or internship, and details about solving
problems for engineering classes or jobs. Some of the resources assist with finding facts and statistics
about engineers, while others discuss topics of importance in the professional and academic community
of engineering.
Audience:
This guide is intended for the use of Penn State upperclassmen majoring in the field of mechanical
engineering. It can be primarily used by students seeking help in their studies or those interested in
finding more information on engineering facts and statistics, current events, research, and careers in the
engineering field. Upperclassmen at Penn State will find this guide beneficial since it contains resources
requiring the knowledge learned in high level classes along with resources aimed at helping students
find jobs after graduation or summer internships.
Assumptions:
This guide serves as a basis for you to learn to help yourself by listing credible resources in a helpful
manner. Also the guide assumes that you have a desire to learn more on the topic of mechanical
engineering and obtain a job in the mechanical engineering field. An undergraduate level of education in
the mechanical engineering field is assumed. Some resources offer more general information that
require little background knowledge, these are exceptions. A few of the resources are included with the
assumption that you are a student at Penn State University and have access to the various databases
and websites. This guide also assumes that you have a basic familiarity with computers and the internet.
Organization:
The guide is roughly organized into different sections. The first online resources are research and study
materials. The second section contains resources which are useful for finding a job or internship. The
last section contains more general resources which could be used for either of the other two sections
and for current events.
Tips:
There a several pieces of information that are important to note before starting the main part of the
guide. These tips will make your use of the guide easier and more efficient.
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Use the Table of Contents for quick navigation on the topic that you are looking for.
Read the tips under each resources description as they will help more efficiently use that
specific resource.
Make sure to take note of the website URL of each resource so you can easily go to it yourself.
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Engineering Toolbox
Website - http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/
This website contains a database of useful information that all upperclassmen will need for classwork
and current or future engineering jobs. The website has guides on how to solve specific problems or find
details about problems ranging from chemical compounds to flows around air foils. There also is a unit
converter which is extremely useful for any engineer either in the field or in school. Engineering Toolbox
also has information on any topic related to engineering including descriptions of the topic, advice on
the topic, and formulas relating to the topic, which are very useful as higher level classes require difficult
formulas. The engineering toolbox could be used by engineering students to help them solve problems
or learn more about a specific topic using their search bar or list of topics located on the home page.
Tips:
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Use the list of topics located on the left hand side of the main page for easy navigation.
Click the 3D button on the top left of the homepage for 3D images of different concepts.
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Engineering Village
Website - http://www.engineeringvillage.com.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/search/quick.url
This online database provides information and publications on all types of engineering. It consists of two
database bundled into one: Compendex and Inspec. This database contains millions of publications and
abstracts dating from 1884 to the present. The database is accessed through the Penn State library
webpage by clicking on databases and then mechanical engineering. The database has many search
fields that can be filled in to find all publications for the keyword typed in and discipline selected. This
database requires that the user have a clear understanding of what they are searching for as it contains
a large amount of information and can be hard to find what you are looking for. Along with a hefty
database of publications, engineering village also has built in information on equations for certain
engineering topics at the lower right hand side of the search screen. These are very useful for students
in higher level engineering classes or those working in the field.
Tips:
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Be sure to fill in all search criteria including date range, type of document, discipline, and
language for accurate searches.
Using the author and title of the document will immensely speed up search times.
Use the search history located below the main search bars to return to past searches quickly.
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Catalog of U.S. Government Publications
Website - http://catalog.gpo.gov/F/?func=find-d-0&local_base=GPO01PUB&clear_level=2
The Catalog of U.S Publications is a database containing all federal publications that are available online.
The catalog offers a variety of search criteria to make finding the document or information you are
looking for easier. There are tips located below the main search boxes that will help you narrow your
search through the database and find what you are looking for more quickly. For example if you are
trying to find a government publication discussing the material properties of reclaimed Douglas-fir
lumber, they simply must type in Douglas-fir into the first search bar and properties into the second.
After hitting search on the first page of the results will be two publications about reclaimed Douglas-fir
properties. Click on the link next to the publication title and the document will pop up for you to read.
This specific report was written by Robert H. Faulk in 2008 and discusses the material properties of
reclaimed Douglas-fir lumber. The document analyzes the lumber to find the bending strength and
stiffness so it may be re-used for future construction. The various defects in the reclaimed lumber, such
as nail holes and cracks, are studied to find their impact on the bending strength and stiffness of the
wood.
Tips:
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Use more than one keyword for more accurate results.
Use the date published filter for up to date articles.
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International Journal on Theoretical and Applied Research in Mechanical Engineering
Website - http://www.irdindia.in/journal_ijtarme/volume_3_issue_4.html
This is an online journal which focuses on theoretical and applied research relating to mechanical
engineering. The journal contains many articles about research done by or helpful to mechanical
engineers. There are articles pertaining to carbon nanotubes and their properties. This information
would be useful to a student performing research at the university or whose job requires them to gain
knowledge on the topic. The journal has many other topics of discussing including nozzles, green cars,
piston geometries, and many more. Despite what their specialization, any soon to be graduating
mechanical engineering student would use these articles to learn more about the topics they will be
using in their future or present careers.
Tips:
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Use the most current issue and volume for the most up to date information.
All the volumes have different articles and topics so look through them all for a specific topic.
Click on the call for papers tab for information on submitting a paper.
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Monster Job Search
Website - http://jobsearch.monster.com/?sf=21&q=mechanical-engineer
This website is a large database of jobs for any occupation. Employers post their job openings on the
website and Monster sorts them based on occupation. Simply type in mechanical engineering into the
search bar to find all the current listings. You can sort the list of jobs by company or location to make it
easier to find what you are looking for. Upon clicking on job listing a new page opens containing the
details about the job and a conveniently placed apply button. This streamlines the job finding process
for new graduates and lets them see what they will be in for if they receive the job. This is mostly for
seniors or recent grads that are looking for a fulltime job as most of the listings are fulltime positions.
Tips:
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Enter your email address into the box at the top of the page for emails whenever a new job in
your field is posted.
Use the research salaries tab under career services to see what others in your occupation are
getting paid.
Click on the career resources tab for help in the applying process.
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Nittany Lion Career Network
Website - https://psu-csm.symplicity.com/students/index.php?s=home
This website is a large database containing all of the jobs that employers recruit from Penn State. Any
Penn State student can create an account and apply to the many job listings that the website offers. This
is especially helpful for juniors or seniors who are looking for full time or summer job. Simply search
mechanical engineering and all of the job listings for mechanical engineers will pop up and sorted by job
status. Each listing shows the company name, application deadline, position type, and date the listing
was posted. You can apply directly through Nittany Career Network for some of the listings, while others
direct you to their own website to apply. Each listing contains details about the job and requirements for
the applicants.
Tips:
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Filter for the type of position that you want using the tabs above the search bar.
Save employers that you are interested in for quick access to their job listings.
Post your resume to Nittany Career Network for employers to view.
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Society of Mechanical Engineers Website
Website - https://www.asme.org/
Description
This website is the home page for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and provides news
about many events that are happening in the engineering or science fields. The website provides articles
about new topics of research that upperclassman mechanical engineering majors could use for their
projects or to learn about what they will be doing at internships and future jobs. The website also offers
a job board where seniors or could look for coops, internships, or jobs. The times and locations of ASME
events, where engineers meet to discuss current events and news, are also posted on the website,
which an upperclassmen could attend to establish network connections and gain knowledge on what
they will be doing in the near future. The website offers advice and information for the career of
engineers and students which would help juniors and seniors in the search for jobs and their senior
project. A member can obtain a mentor which is very useful for networking purposes and finding a job
for the summer or after graduation.
Tips:
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Become a member for exclusive benefits and access.
Use the tabs located at the top of the home page to look for topics.
Use the calendar link at the top of the home page to view events.
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Statistical Abstract if the United States
Website - http://statabs.proquest.com.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/sa/?id=f5b674da-2048-46ff-8957f2151add443e
The Statistical Abstract of the United States is a website published by the US Census Bureau, which
contains statistics on the economic, social, and political organization of the United States. An
undergraduate student might use this database to find R&D expenditures, college degree statistics,
salary information, or engineering discipline statistics. The data is available in both PDF and .xls format.
For example if you wish to see how many civilian mechanical engineers are employed and what their
occupation is as compared to industrial engineering you simply click on science and technology , section
16, from the table of contents on the left hand side of the home page. Then under the subject heading
on the left side of the page click on engineers and engineering. Scroll down to table 834 Civilian
Employment of scientists, Engineers, and Related Occupations by Occupation and Industry: 2012. This
opens a table containing the statistics for the occupations, just locate mechanical engineering and follow
the row across to find the number of mechanical engineers in the various occupations and compare to
the industrial engineering row. This information would be useful for juniors or seniors as they can use it
to help them decide what topic or occupation they wish to specialize in based off of how many people
are in each field.
Tips:
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Be sure to use the table of contents on the left side of the home page to quickly find the topics
you are looking for.
Use the Subject breakdowns on the left side of the page after clicking a topic to more easily sift
through the information.
Look at the year the table was published to ensure accurate an up to date information.
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