The development of mechatronics, a Japanese-coined word that describes the use of electronics to control machines, also impacts the job market for mechanicals. Benson, whose own work includes research into magnetic recording drives with sophisticated electronic controls, is optimistic about the job prospects for students who are familiar with this technology. Tichy puts his own spin on the effect of mechatronics on employment. Some of the areas where mechatronics is being applied are testing and trouble-shooting in aerospace and automotives. Benson sees further applications arising in artificial intelligence, neural networks, machine learning, which, he says, are hybrids of mechatronics.
Mechanical graduates are ahead of the game if they have the soft skills employers talk up nowadays.
Managers want new employees to hit the ground running in leadership, teamwork and communication skills. In the workplace, employees are not in competition with each other but have to work together to get the product out the door. Those mechanical students who understand this from the get-go will go a lot further.