Im thinking about changing my major from mechanical engineering to Materials. I heard materials engineers work with biomedical devices and thats what I want to do. I looked into the major and what they do is basically a lot of my interests. The only thing that worries me is the job outlook (1%). How are job opportunities in the materials engineering field? Can you get a job with a Bachelors (I may go onto a masters later, I dont know yet, Im not that far in my college career yet)?
There are plenty of MEs working for Stryker, Boston Scientific, etc. So, if that’s your only concern, you’d be employable within the industry. The bigger question is what do you want to do in said industry? Have you taken your first materials course yet?
I want to work on biomedical materials, I dont know what category of material engineering that fits under.
The thing about materials engineering is that it is common in materials departments, obviously, but also in mechanical and chemical engineering departments.
Again, have you taken your first materials class yet? I wouldn’t make any changes until you at least have a basic idea of what you’re getting yourself into.
I believe you’re already at PSU?
Do a bit of networking and look into what MSE related student societies are available on your campus. Such as Mu Sigma Epsilon (a social and professional development organization). Go to a weekly/monthly meeting and talk with other students majoring in MSE. They can tell you what companies are recruiting on your campus, what internships they have worked, and where recent graduates have gotten jobs. Another possible group is the society for Biomaterials (SFB).
If your school has a career fair, check out which companies have been recruiting MSE majors. Finally, find the office hours for the MSE undergraduate advisor and go have a short talk with her/him.
EDIT: a link to the student groups at Penn State:
http://www.matse.psu.edu/undergraduate/student-organizations
Job research:
http://www.matse.psu.edu/undergraduate/internships-and-careers
@eyemgh I haven’t the thing is, I go to Penn State and the recommended academic plan recommends you start taking a materials class the fall of sophomore year. I have taken classes like Chem and taking Chem II next semester (which is also apart of the recommended plan). Im thinking about talking to an adviser first for scheduling reasons.
In general there’s flexibility in flowcharts. My son is an ME and took Materials I his freshman year and Materials II as a second year. Since you need it anyway for the PSU ME curriculum, why not just take it earlier than where it’s slotted in third year? Your advisor will let you know if it’s a good call.
I cannot address biomedical specifically, but the materials folks I work with are incredibly valuable. We deal a lot woth corrosion/cracking which can be cured/prevented with the right material knowledge. It is a little bit of a niche field, but not so much your job options are limited.