QnA
What is mechanical core?
Sishir Mohammed: The traditional thinking about mech is that it's all about workshops, repair work and manufacturing stuff. But in reality it's a more intricate and complex field than that. Broadly to capture there are three aspects- 1) Manufacturing- Production, Supply Chain Management, Factory Management, Materials associated, etc. 2) Thermal- Fluid dynamics, Heat transfer, Energy engineering, Power Production, etc. This is the most intricate and technical field in mech. 3) Design and robotics- Production design, Robotics, Interfacing between Electronics, AI, etc.
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What is the best advice you can give to the students with low CG who are planning to go into this field?
Sishir Mohammed: I would recommend maintaining a CG above 7.5, for placements. For masters, especially MS, a CG above 8.5 is desirable. Although CG may not be completely reflective of your technical skills, it is still a crucial metric anywhere you go.
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Many people say that chemical and mechanical are very close disciplines. Can you compare the work of both of them?
Sishir Mohammed: Most of the similarities are in process engineering (fluid simulations, thermodynamics, et cetera). Thermal engineering and material science are at the intersection of mechanical and chemical engineering. Apart from these, the skill set is quite varied.
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How competitive is this field?
Sishir Mohammed: It largely depends on the economy. As compared to China which is a manufacturing hub, it is predominantly a services and backend-tech based economy in India. So, it is relatively hard to get a job in India without a niche specialization. However, with opportunities opening up due to increased capital expenditure, things may improve going forward.
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What are the growth opportunities in core mechanical? Is pursuing master’s after 1-2 years of work-ex necessary to advance in one’s career?
Sishir Mohammed: It varies from person to person. If the person is really interested in exploring the core sector, he/she can continue working and progressing in that. For example, if a person is working continuously in a core company, with a few years of work experience a plethora of opportunities open up wherein field engineering skills can be utilized. If the person is aiming for leadership roles, he/she can pursue MBA after a few years. If the person is looking for technical depth, he/she can go for masters.
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What are the exit options available if someone wants to withdraw from this field?
Sishir Mohammed: Several exit opportunities are present. It depends from person to person, based on preferences. You can opt for an MBA, or an MS, or develop your skills by working for different organizations. There is no shortage of opportunities.
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