How well did your undergraduate education help you prepare for your current job?
TLT Sounding Board January 2015
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For the most part, TLT readers say their undergraduate educations well prepared them for their current jobs. And many respondents who say their bachelor’s work did not prepare them adequately note that the degree still helped them land their first jobs. Many respondents urged students to get as broad a technical education as possible rather than overspecializing in one area. A common theme was readers urging students to learn more about the so-called soft skills that involve working with people. Included are writing, composition and public speaking. “The best technical people communicate clearly,” said one respondent. Readers also urged students to get involved in internships and co-op university programs. Typical majors pursued by STLE members include mechanical engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemistry, materials science, civil engineering—and even philosophy.
My undergraduate courses in chemistry and physics gave me useful preparation for my career in tribology and lubricants. One thing I would have done differently is to do an industrial internship.
Basic principles, yes. Experience, poor.
It provided a foundation to build from—and a methodology of problem solving—but it did not include anything on lubrication. This I learned on the job with a sales and technical position with lubricant manufacturers.
VP-operations. I majored in philosophy. It has helped me organize and understand a variety of information. It has not helped in a practical sense, but it has helped me in terms of applied learning.
Quality manager. No preparation from my undergraduate program.
Tribologist/lubricant formulator. I did a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. As tribology is, by its nature, interdisciplinary, the broad range of mechanical engineering subjects in the program was an excellent foundation for work in tribology. At the time, tribology was taught in the third year of the bachelor’s program in ME. The tribology module was excellent and delivered by a world renowned professor in the subject. I would not have done anything differently. I studied chemistry, and it gave me the basic knowledge of chemistry that I need to be a professional tribologist.
My undergraduate degree covered very little of what I now do day to day, but it did give me the background to learn and understand what I do now.
My undergraduate education (chemical engineering) prepared me reasonably well for my current position as an R&D manager. I have a solid science and engineering base from which to build from. One thing I would have done differently would be to have taken advantage of the co-op program available at my university.
Very well. I would have liked to get an internship, but there were not many available, and I did not get a slot.
Chemical engineering is a solid background if the curriculum is adequate. Too many universities print degrees, yet there is no substance behind the courses.
I graduated with a mechanical engineering degree from a major college, and nothing I learned in school prepared me for the career as a lubrication engineer for a major oil company except for my analytical abilities.
I have a biology degree. It was of some help. I ended up being the unofficial factory microbiologist because I was the one person in the group who ever had a microbiology course. That did prove useful in dealing with growth in metalworking fluids. My chemistry was also of some help.
My basic undergraduate education in materials science and engineering was excellent, but I might have taken organic chemistry if I’d realized I’d some day need to know about lubricant formulations.
I went to Stevens Institute, and its very broad engineering education has been a great asset. I’m now working as a consultant and wouldn’t change anything with my undergraduate education.
Not much help beyond the basics of engineering. I have an associate’s degree in civil engineering and gained some experience in a race bike shop while in school. I would have gone to a mechanical program if I had known what skills I would need every day now. Since then I’ve received many certifications, including the CLS.
I would’ve finished my B.S. in chemistry before starting in the industry, so I would’ve started at a chemist level, not a laboratory technician’s level.
My undergraduate education at Lehigh in chemical engineering and materials science prepared me very well for the positions I have held throughout my career, including my current position as senior fellow in research and development. I am satisfied with the educational choices I made and the advice I received from key university faculty advisors.
I am a vice president, and I would not change a thing. I had an associate’s degree, which helped me get my first job in metalworking, but what I learned by doing was equally important. I finished my degree several years later and believe that if I had obtained it earlier I may not have stayed or entered into the industry.
As a sales manager, being able to establish connections and deal with all sorts of people is essential. In college you quickly learn that skill or suffer. As far as the academic content is concerned, chemistry, economics and English all helped.
Back then diesel engines was a subject in mechanical engineering. That is no longer the case; this was the introduction to what I know and do now. Something that colleges and universities need to do is to provide education in real-life topics such as reliability engineering, tribology, lubrication and alternative energy field engineer for mining engines.
I am sure that I use everything I learned in school. I would have studied more and concentrated on my grades. Owner of my own business.
Mechanical engineering is a good undergraduate degree for a tribologist.
I am now retired. Therefore, I will answer from the perspective of my first job after graduation with the bachelor’s of science in chemistry. I was superbly prepared for my first job. My undergraduate analytical chemistry, organic chemistry and physical chemistry courses prepared me for industrial organic synthesis and industrial analytical chemistry. In certain areas, my undergraduate laboratories were superior to the industrial laboratory.
I do not presently utilize my university education in my field of endeavor. I am a quality control inspector in the aviation field, which does not utilize my chemistry background.
I am presently a lubricant salesperson. I have a degree in petrochemical engineering, which has prepared me somewhat for my current position. I would have tried to enter the field earlier.
My undergraduate education did not prepare me for my current job, but it did prepare me for graduate school. Graduate school prepared me to tackle a range of issues, which eventually included tribology.
Very well. However I think that perspective is largely because I realize what transferrable skills I learned in school. My job is nothing like my education, but I still use things I learned in the classroom regularly. I just use them in different ways now than I did then.
Chemical engineer. I got my first job selling lubricants for a major oil company. Still in additives sales management. Only undergraduate change might have been to take business electives rather than engineering. Majors are not structured the same today.
The science classes definitely helped my understanding of concepts and practices used in the industry. Product development engineer.
I might have taken a few more engineering classes. As a biochemistry major, I actually had a pretty good foundation in organic synthesis and physical chemistry, which helped my tribology career immensely.
I am an assistant professor. As an undergraduate, I attended lectures from a professor in tribology, which determined my professional career later.
Technical services. My undergraduate degree in engineering has been adequate for my position.
As a sales and business development manager, I would have continued my education, pursuing an MBA.
It was only helpful in landing the job.
I’m an engineering manager, and my undergraduate education was poor.
I’m a sales manager for lubricant additives. My education (chemistry degree) certainly wasn’t specific to what I do now, but it got me my first job in the industry.
Not very well. Research chemist.
The undergraduate education did not prepare for real-life situations. It provided the theory of knowledge.
It prepared me for about 20 percent of my job. I am a formulation chemist. There is nothing I could do differently, as my university had zero classes regarding metalworking fluids.
My B.S. in engineering science for chemistry aligned perfectly with the needs of my job as an analytical chemist supporting materials engineers. The lack of an advanced degree has shut doors for promotions. I would recommend a master’s as a useful addition in support of job growth.
I am now an application engineer and CLS holder. My education allows me to answer customer questions very quickly.
No much. Too much emphasis on design, not enough on operating criteria and needs.
My undergraduate program covered the basic chemistry topics at a knowledge level far below that required to manage the development activities of an R&D laboratory dealing with metal-processing lubricants.
Senior corporate scientist. The chemistry was very valuable and prepared me well for my career. The softer people skills and working in a corporate environment fell woefully short.
Not much at all. I would have rather taken an engineering or business-based degree.
How would you advise university students to balance their technical-education mix to best prepare for a career in tribology research or lubrication engineering?
I would recommend taking courses in chemistry with lab, physics, applied math, statistics, writing, public speaking, business management and psychology. Many colleagues are limited by their skills in communication, collaboration and basic analysis of numerical data.
Arrange an industrial placement summer position with a reputable company at the end of Year 1. If all works well, arrange a return for a full industrial year between Years 2 and 3. Similar summer placement at the end of Year 3. For postgraduate research, look for a position with a close industrial tribology/lubrication engineering industrial connection and use it.
Find a co-op job that exposes you to rotating equipment.
I would suggest that undergraduates broaden their perspective with some soft skill courses. The best technical people communicate clearly.
Work in this field.
Summer placements working in industry or a formal year-in-industry placement provide (a.) an opportunity to apply and reinforce the academic material and (b.) a chance to learn about the industrial environment and industrial practices. Similarly, internships in university labs provide excellent experience in research skills.
Chemistry, physics, chemical and mechanical engineering are all key education requirements to further study tribology.
Get a strong understanding of the basic sciences and technology. Learn how to learn!
My advice would be to take advantage of co-op if it is available at your school. This is a great way to see how the real world and education meet and also gives a good sense to what you might like or dislike and allow you to make changes before graduation.
Get as much hands-on experience as is available.
Fluid dynamics, chemistry, material science.
I believe the path forward should be viewed as open ended as specializing in only one thing may not be exactly what you will be doing.
Take diverse electives in mechanical engineering, materials and chemistry. And don’t forget a course in machining. A liberal arts course or two wouldn’t hurt either. It broadens one’s outlook.
Take as few classes in your major as possible but as many other technical subjects as possible. Knowing how the rest of the technology fits in with your major will be a great asset in industry.
Take the esoteric course that you don’t have a clue about.
As a multidisciplinary field, tribology requires both knowledge and creativity at times. If a technical degree in tribology or a closely related subdiscipline is not available at your university, I suggest taking a broad menu of courses in chemistry, physics, chemical/mechanical engineering and math to prepare you for the multidisciplinary field of tribology.
Always include a business course and an accounting course. When formulating, it is one thing to do blue sky and another to make a product that works financially and technically. By adding these courses, you also have an understanding of how business works and your place in the food chain.
Learn how to write.
I think the question is not for students but rather to the industry and colleges. What is the industry doing to attract the interest of students in such important fields as tribology and lubrication? Is the industry doing enough to attract talented students? Is the industry coupled with colleges and universities to promote the interest of students from the beginning of college?
Learn the basics well. Most graduates have poorly developed writing and speaking skills.
I would suggest several classes in organic chemistry since tribology is an interdisciplinary degree.
This is a difficult question. From the perspective of a chemist, I would emphasize organic synthesis and tell students to work toward developing products to meet a prewritten specification. My experience as an industrial chemist is working toward a lubricant specification.
Knowledge and enthusiasm is by far the most useful attribute that you can carry with you. Study everything! Seek knowledge in your field of interest and know that you’ll learn much more in the field than you will at school.
Most of the subject matter covered in my course of study, in one way or another, prepared me for a career in tribology. My advice is to get as much hands-on in the field as possible.
Students should do research with a professor as early as possible in their undergraduate career.
Definitely take advantage of work opportunities as much as possible. And don’t be afraid to apply for internships early. I was intimidated as a student because I felt like I was less qualified than I should be for internships. That is not the case. Businesses that hire interns expect you to come in with an academic level of knowledge and are prepared to train you for the job at hand.
A well-rounded education, no matter the discipline, helps a person better understand a wider range of subjects. I feel it also helps a person learn to ask questions about things they don’t understand.
The most successful lube engineers I have known have had significant laboratory experience. One path paves the way for the other.
Find a balance between science/technology courses but also take writing, composition and public-speaking courses.
More hands-on training with actual parts.
Taking additional courses and workshops out of the school.
Besides the technical coursework, it would be good to attend STLE meetings (local or national) to get a broader view of the industry.
Try to choose a university that offers tribology courses.
Take the basics in physics. Take all the chemistry you can. Try to double major in biology, too.
Work as soon as you need to. For some it is after obtaining a bachelor’s degree; others can wait until a doctorate. There is no substitute for work experience. Summer student positions are very helpful in developing fundamental skills. Get to work—then add the advanced degree on the side.
A foundation in organic chemistry, analytical chemistry and basic engineering principles would be a good starting point.
Internships within industries similar to your chosen field. Polish the soft people skills—you will need them.
The importance of spending time in the field in real-life situations—actually seeing the applications and the operational challenges.
Take as much chemistry as possible.
Look for elective courses on subjects such as rheology, tribology or other subjects associated with lubrication and tribology.
How much specific content on tribology did you receive in your undergraduate program?
An occasional lecture
21%
A course or two
9%
A fairly well-developed program
17%
A minor in tribology
2%
None
69%
Other
8%
Based on responses sent to 13,000 TLT readers. Total exceeds 100% because some respondents chose more than one answer.
Editor’s Note: Sounding Board is based on an e-mail survey of 13,000 TLT readers. Views expressed are those of the respondents and do not reflect the opinions of the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers. STLE does not vouch for the technical accuracy of opinions expressed in Sounding Board, nor does inclusion of a comment represent an endorsement of the technology by STLE.