Welcome to Mechanical Engineering!
We keep the world turning.
Mechanical engineers contribute to society and economy in many areas—energy, manufacturing, transportation systems, defense, aerospace, robots and unmanned vehicles, air-conditioning and refrigeration, medical devices and many others. In other words, the majority of the products you use every single day are all made possible by mechanical engineers. Nearly 20 percent of the nearly 3 million engineers in the United States are mechanical engineers.
Hit the ground running with one of the broadest skill sets in engineering. Mechanical engineers use their breadth of knowledge, versatility, creativity and team-working skills to build new products and systems. All those cool things you read about, like establishing colonies on the moon and Mars, 3-D printing of biomedical implants or building the next-generation aircraft and automobile engines. They're all happening right here at Herff. Build medical devices. Create renewable energy systems—wind and solar. Design and test new aerospace engines and propulsion systems. Get your feet wet testing turbines in the Mississippi River. The possibilities are endless.
Congratulations to our 2024 Outstanding Junior!
Omar Alyousef
For this upcoming year, I plan to first finish my bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and second degree in Mathematics while continuing to gain real-world experience with internships, and I am very excited to not only work on a senior design team but to also conclude my research under Dr. Gao. After I graduate, I hope to work at a job in either the mechanical or biomedical fields. I plan to stay in Memphis after graduation for a few years, but afterwards I plan to go where my work takes me, whether that means staying in Memphis or moving out.
By far my favorite memories at Herff would be all the times I would spend studying, being taught, or teaching with fellow students at the third floor of the engineering administration building. While all this time was spent just for the sake of studying, a treasured biproduct are the lifetime bonds made with other students.
There are a lot of opportunities to be found at the Herff college of Engineering, but many of them need to be found first. To all current and future students, my advice would be to look for opportunities at Herff! It can be as simple as approaching a professor and asking them if they know of any, and that can develop into an undergraduate research position or a possible internship. Don't be afraid to take advantage of the resources provided to you!
Congratulations to our 2024 Outstanding Senior!
Spencer McKnight
I am currently employed as an engineering associate at Path Company. My plans are to continue working to develop my career and work towards obtaining my Professional Engineer (PE) license.
One of my best memories from my time at Herff College of Engineering was serving as the student lead of the Industrial Assessment Center with Dr. Marchetta. I enjoyed visiting the different manufacturing plants and working with the rest of the team to develop energy savings recommendations. This experience proved instrumental in my career development and helped me discover my interest in energy.
My advice to current and future engineering students is to gain as much practical experience as possible. Whether it's through industry tours, student organizations, or internships, these opportunities can provide valuable insights and help you develop essential skills that will lead to success in the future.