It’s Mechanical vs Civil Engineering time!

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Mechanical and civil engineering are the two oldest and most applied fields of engineering. Mechanical engineering primarily involves the mechanics of automobiles and other machines, while civil engineering concentrates on construction, maintenance and design of civil structures, buildings and infrastructures.

Both mechanical and civil engineering are evergreen and offer great job opportunities to students. Every aspect of life and all places around the globe feature some application of these fields. Job openings are also available in the public sector, government organisations and the private sector.

Mechanical engineers and civil engineers mainly are different from one other due to what each individual discipline builds. Mechanical engineering concentrates on mechanical devices, whereas civil engineering focuses on private and public infrastructure systems and projects. However this is not the only difference between the two fields, if you delve further than what is obvious, you will find that the gap between mechanical vs civil engineering is a lot wider than first thought.

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering is one of the oldest forms of engineering and is also the broadest. It uses the principles of material science and physics along with engineering to design, maintain, analyse and manufacture mechanical systems. They generally design their devices/products on software programs like AutoCAD, Revit, Inventor and Fusion 360. It also involves the usage and production of mechanical power to produce, operate and design tools and machines.

The core concepts of mechanical engineering include structural analysis, thermodynamics, electricity, kinematics and mechanics, these must all be understood for a budding mechanical engineer to be successful throughout their career.

Civil Engineering

Civil engineering is a specific discipline of engineering that deals with infrastructure. This includes the construction, maintenance and design of generally grand structures including bridges, dams, buildings, roads and canals, using software programs like Civil 3D.

Second in age only to mechanical engineering, it is the second oldest engineering discipline and can be divided up into several sub-disciplines including; environmental, offshore, water resources, architectural, forensics and construction. Civil engineering can be found in national governments, municipalities, the public sector and in the private sector where large companies and homeowners require them for their specific expertise.

Similarities Between Mechanical vs Civil Engineering

The main similarity between mechanical vs civil engineering is both sets of engineers are expected to turn abstract ideas/designs into reality. Engineers in these disciplines have quite similar skills to each other that enable them to develop, design and create objects and structures both small and great for the overall benefit of the modern world.

For example math (good math skills), are required in both fields because the principles of trigonometry and calculus are generally used in troubleshooting and product design. Strong thinking and troubleshooting skills are also a must-have for both sets of engineers, because this will allow them to determine relevant solutions to issues when a concept or idea does not go to plan.

Furthermore, both disciplines require a thorough understanding of interpreting and processing test information to then be able to demonstrate the data. That will confirm the necessity for a design of a product/project and will verify the projects feasibility from an economical and practical standpoint.

The results obtained from this data can enable engineers to tackle issues and questions that may come from organisations and individuals. If an engineer is working within one sector and would like to further their skills in another area, they can find online courses on LinkedIn Learning, where they can earn certifications in up-to-date field. The first 30 days is free!

Differences Between Mechanical vs Civil Engineering

While comparing mechanical vs civil engineering does produce a few similarities, the prevalent differentiation between both disciplines is what engineers on-site produce.

Mechanical Engineers

Mechanical engineers help create and design mechanical devices and machines for small groups or individuals.

Civil Engineers

A civil engineer aids in the creation and design buildings, structural projects and infrastructure. Mechanical engineers use their results/findings to create various systems in a building, like elevators. In contrast, civil engineers may avail of analytical data to construct the 12 story building itself.

Another difference between the respective disciplines is the approach to their respective engineering projects. Mechanical engineers come with a very creative attitude, as the equipment or machinery designed is generally very complex, while civil engineers generally work with urban planners and architects to create structures that are straightforward and familiar.

The workflow for each discipline from the beginning to the end of a project is also different. Mechanical engineers face very little bureaucratic push-back since mechanical engineering designs tend to be targeted primarily towards the private sector. Due to the the majority of civil engineer’s work being for public use, professionals in this discipline will typically have to work with the state, federal and maybe even the local government for various compliance reasons.

Testing also differs between these two respective sectors, mechanical engineers will test and develop prototypes of devices or products to analyse their performance. Civil engineers on the other hand analyse materials like asphalt or wood to asses their structural viability. They also test soil to find out its foundational adequacy. 

A list of the differences between mechanical vs civil engineering is as follows:

• Mechanical engineering involves inventing and reinventing machinery
• Civil engineering involves the construction and design of buildings, bridges and other structures

• Mechanical engineering projects are shorter in duration
• Civil engineering projects are longer in duration

• Mechanical engineering projects are smaller and require more precision
• Civil engineering projects are typically on a larger scale

• Mechanical engineers average salary is $80,580
• Civil engineers average salary is $79,340

• Mechanical engineers work mainly with other engineers
• Civil engineers work with a big team including architects, construction managers/workers

• Mechanical engineers work with the living functions of the object or structure, i.e. the mechanics of elevators etc.
• Civil engineers must make sure that structures will be efficient and stable in its environment, i.e. the skeleton of the structure

• Mechanical engineers have an easier time branching over to other engineering fields
• Civil engineering is a very specific engineering discipline

• Many mechanical engineers broaden their knowledge base to remain in the field
• Many civil engineers decide to further their education and then become a teacher rather than remain in their engineering field

• Concentrated areas of study in mechanical engineering are heavy in maths, electrical, science, mechanics and thermodynamics
• Focuses areas of learning in civil engineering are not as heavy as it is learning about framework and design

• Mechanical engineers can utilize their expertise to develop mechanical devices, including weapons, and to help people in their every day lives
• Civil engineers can use their knowledge to build unique and aesthetically pleasing structures

Mechanical vs Civil Engineering Educational Requirements

Mechanical engineers are typically needed to graduate with a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering and/or mechanical engineering technology. To become a civil engineer, graduate students must at least have a bachelors degree in civil engineering, a civil engineering specialty or civil engineering technology.

Positions in management are generally kept for students who have done enough to receive a masters degree. Commonly only graduate students are allowed to receive their respective industry licenses, for example Professional Engineer (PE) license in mechanical or civil engineering.

Mechanical vs Civil Engineering Job Opportunities

There is positive future job prospects for both mechanical and civil engineers, in 2016 the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated mechanical engineering jobs to increase at a rate of 9%, and the civil engineering field is to see an 11% growth through to 2026.

Again from the BLS, mechanical engineers that posses experience with modern technology have a better chance in the job market, as experience/proficiency in virtual simulations or 3D printing can result in a more effective execution of existing and new engineering fundamentals. The BLS also stated civil engineers after completing a co-operative program could access the best opportunities, a co-operative program is an educational program that has semesters of full-time work and academic study every second semester.

Mechanical and civil engineering are both design driven disciplines, there are a few notable differences between these two careers that separate them. These differences are not just from what they create but they also come from the methodology used while producing them. Considering these differences, the two careers still have a common objective in mind: to create objects/devices/structures that make a specific feature of the modern world better.

Responsibilities of Mechanical vs Civil Engineering

Mechanical Engineer

A bachelors degree and a license in mechanical engineering is generally required to become a mechanical engineer. They focus on designing mechanical devices, such as machines like elevators, or power tools.

Mechanical engineers are aided by their creative side to aid them come up with designs, they are also required to be able to collaborate as an efficient part of a team of professionals. They are required to assess an issue and come up with a solution for the problem. Mechanical engineers spend the majority of their time working in an office, they do also visit job sites/factories or other sites where products they’ve designed are being created.

Some job tasks that a mechanical engineer is required to do include:

• Coming up with a design plan
• Altering design plans to eliminate flaws
• Analyzing their work for flaws in their design or other problems
• Collaborating with other engineers/architects to finalize designs
• Identifying project goals for products they are designing

Civil Engineer

If you have driven over a road or bridge then you have benefited from the work of a civil engineer. These engineering professionals help oversee and design the construction of infrastructure projects that connect the modern world. To begin your career as a civil engineer it is necessary to have a bachelors degree and a license.

The avid students who are interested in advancing their career will need to complete a masters degree. Civil engineers must possess a couple of traits, they must be decisive and capable of leading a number of professionals to ensure that projects follow design plans, stay on budget and comply with regulations.

Job responsibilities of a civil engineer include:

• Securing building permits
• Reviewing applicable regulations
• Developing a proposed budget for the expected costs of a project
• Monitoring the construction
• Meeting with clients to discuss their project needs and goals
• Developing a design plan for a project

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