| Once upon a time there was no such thing as | | | | four years. |
| specialization in the world of engineering. There were | | | | As such, it's a good idea to discuss a plan of attack |
| no electric engineers, nor mechanical, chemical, | | | | with an on campus or online college career counselor. |
| biological or any other specialization. Engineers | | | | Have them help you decide what field of engineering |
| concentrated on the practical applications of scientific | | | | you want to start with after your general courses. The |
| research and used whatever knowledge they had. | | | | overall objective is to get together a six year (or |
| These days, there are those who think engineering just | | | | more) plan, with the objective of actual mechatronic |
| might have become a bit too specialized. They have | | | | courses in your post-graduate studies. |
| even developed a title for themselves, mechatronics | | | | When it comes to financial assistance, this form of |
| engineers. The term itself was created back in 1969. | | | | engineering has opportunities that go well beyond the |
| As defined by one of their own societies, | | | | standard federal and state governmental agencies. |
| mechatronics engineering is about the "approach | | | | Besides a number of accredited universities offering |
| aiming at the synergistic integration of mechanics, | | | | grants, scholarships and fellowships, there are also |
| electronics, control theory, and computer science within | | | | professional societies and a number of industries - |
| product design and manufacturing, in order to improve | | | | particularly automotive, robotic and those involved with |
| and/or optimize its functionality." | | | | optimetrics - that have programs set up for promising |
| As one might suspect, mechatronics engineering is a | | | | students. Many also offer work-study and/or |
| cross-disciplinary occupation. It rejects splitting the field | | | | internships. |
| into separate disciplines for a more holistic approach. | | | | Salaries in the field are truly exceptional. According to |
| What's interesting is it has had a profound effect on | | | | the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those just entering the |
| our society, contributing to such inventions as DVD and | | | | field usually start at about $40,000. From there, they |
| CD players, anti-lock braking systems on one's car, | | | | can move into the $75,000 range once they achieve |
| auto-focus cameras and particularly in robotics. | | | | their PhD. Many often move onto over $100,000, |
| Those interested in entering the field have a very | | | | based on their years of experience, overall knowledge |
| heavy course load ahead of them. It will involve | | | | and their contributions to the field. Played right, one can |
| studying the likes of mechanical engineering, materials | | | | not only get standard benefits such as insurance and a |
| science, electric/electronic engineering, computer | | | | retirement package, but also such perks as continued |
| science and systems engineering and robotics. | | | | education and, if their inventions turn out to be |
| Obviously, this isn't something one can put together in | | | | exceedingly profitable, profit sharing. |