Alex AkermannHr.404/17/14Career in Mechanical EngineeringMechanical engineering has become one of the fastest growing career fields of all time, in due to our extremely technology-based society. This field has expanded to incorporate many specific parts of mechanical engineering. With this rapidly developing field of engineering, it would be good to look back at the roots of how this career came to be. Additionally, this career document will include the qualifications required to become a mechanical engineer and explain how I qualify for the position. Mechanical engineering is a subset of engineering that applies: the principles of engineering, physics, materials science, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It involves the production and use of mechanical power for the design, production and operation of machines and tools. As one of the oldest engineering groups, it made its journey to the United States in the 1840s. This was due to the expansion of the United States Navy and its academy. The engineering program began to boom after 1874, as it was then considered a two- or four-year course. In the same year, mechanical engineering became the first course offered in this field. The Naval Academy received accreditation as an "accredited technological institution" in 1930. In 1933, President Franklin Roosevelt signed into law an act of Congress providing for the Bachelor of Science degree for the Naval, Military, and Coast Guard academies (Brownell). The class of 1933 was the first to receive a mechanical engineering degree and have it listed on their diploma. Later, the Engineering Honors Program began, with the class of 1972 being the first class required to complete a major and graduate. The first designated engineering degree...... middle of paper ......lopment. Additionally, I recently received my Eagle Scout rank. Becoming an Eagle Scout is an important step in moving up the ranks because you learn many of the basic problem-solving and leadership skills required to become a mechanical engineer. I am currently in the BPA or Business Professionals of America, competing in the computer modeling division. Through this program, I recently received an award for being one of the top ten in the country in computer modeling. To fulfill my dream of becoming a mechanical engineer, I plan to attend Michigan Technical University to obtain a master's degree in mechanical engineering with a focus on manufacturing and industrial systems. With these current and future qualifications, I believe that in the future I will be a great mechanical engineer for Fortune 500 companies, whether in Minnesota or around the world.