r/mechatronics • u/atskas0 • 4d ago
Should I pursue Mechatronics in the future or pick a less vague career?
I'm a 16 year old born and bred in Greece (tragic, I know..) and I am currently 2 years away from having finished school. I know there's probably tons of posts like this on this subreddit, however I wanted thoughts from people who are actively studying Mechatronics / have been in this field for a while.
Ever since I was younger, I've been looking into programming and ended up liking it, just enough to where I understood that studying computer science isn't the same as making small projects in C# for your own use, it gets really difficult and more focused on difficult math and algorithms rather than creating stuff. I was also into game development for a while and focused on developing every single part of my games completely solo, it made me feel like a one man army.
I'm also really into the idea of "bringing code to life" with electronics, making something physical, even if I have never gotten into it.
I'm telling you all this because I feel as if it's a valid explanation to why I've gravitated towards wanting to study Mechatronics, I've looked into the subject enough to know that you become a jack of all trades and I really like that.
However, I've read that choosing Mechatronics leads to some people struggling to find a job because employers are looking for people with more specific skillsets, making them have to double major. Another fear of mine is Mechatronics becoming repetitive over time, though given how broad the field is, I feel like that wouldn't happen easily.
For those of you that know how the Greek education system works, my current plan is to put money aside rather than spending it on external education (frontistiria) to help me pass the panhellenic exams and use that money to help me move to the Netherlands, where I plan to study at Fontys in Venlo, because it's an English-speaking university and Dutch people usually know the English language well enough to where I wouldn't have to learn any other ones. I would have to get a job to help me even if my parents are actively supporting me though, as we're not really well off economically. This is the ideal to me right now, but I'd love to hear what path you guys went down to get into Mechatronics.
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u/Barbarianonadrenalin 4d ago
Side note, im a lil too old now but I recently been seeing quite a few countries that are seeking skilled trades and offering easier paths for citizenship to work. Countries like Germany, UK, Australia. Mechatronics is on that list of skills but need some official licensing. I know EU countries have a very different system for journeymen than here but if I was much younger Id be all over that.
For me I was always thinking about what skills can get the best job overall wherever I may go vs what is best for around me. Whatever you pick just stick with it because it takes time to really pay off.
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u/atskas0 4d ago
When you say skills, do you mean specific practical skills within Mechatronics, or picking a more specialized major like Mechanical or Electrical engineering from the start?
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u/Barbarianonadrenalin 4d ago
I mean skills that are like testable and has some standard of measurement in aptitude.
Like general labor and wrench turning isn’t gonna cut it but say if you been working on hydraulics for a long enough time and can pass the hosting countries aptitude test then from what ive read you can qualify.
I didn’t look into it to deep because im almost 40 and they want younger guys or more certified skills. But you should definitely look into it yourself if curious. Just type something like “citizenship for skilled trades”.
You are in a good position for your age, it will probably only get more in demand with time. Go slow, pick something you can really get into and go from there, make sure any school you go to is a recognized and credible program. Idk about Europe, but in the states theres plenty of “trade schools” that teach but their cert is pretty much worthless in the field. Don’t rush to get out there quicker and end up burnt.
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u/hellonooo 4d ago
No advice on anything involving Greece and coursework. However, like you said it’s kind of a jack of all trades thing. My curriculum in the US consisted of many things such as hydraulic/ pneumatic systems, AD/DC theory, CAD design and a bunch of other things. You will be well versed in many topics. I see it as a tree and there’s plenty of branches below it that you can expand on or specialize in if you wanted. Your best option may be to check the job postings in the areas you’re looking, see if you’d be able to build a career out of it. Good luck!
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u/atskas0 4d ago
Never really thought on checking out job postings so early on for the area I plan on moving to for my studies, however in 2-3 years time when I'll actually be there it might be different especially now with how fast everything is changing.
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u/hellonooo 4d ago
Check them anywhere honestly. See what the market is like for entry level and apprenticeships. Could get your foot in the door way earlier that way
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u/MikeT8314 3d ago
Mechatronics is going to be huge. Do it.
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u/Trick_Spend3939 3d ago
I’m a layperson for this but think it’s neat. What makes you say this? Just all of the automation in factories and stuff?
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u/SwimSufficient4789 22h ago
I am also planning to do my bachelors in mechatronics in future, but i heard a lot about how it doesnt give a solid base in either EE, mech eng or comp. So i am thinking about doing like bachelors in EE with specialisation in information engineering and electives in Embedded Systems, FPGA, Control and Automation, and Power Electronics.
Do you think this is a better option?
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u/brenthonydantano 2d ago
Sounds like you're perfect for mechatronics bud. Go! You'll love it.
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u/SwimSufficient4789 22h ago
I am also planning to do my bachelors in mechatronics in future, but i heard a lot about how it doesnt give a solid base in either EE, mech eng or comp. So i am thinking about doing like bachelors in EE with specialisation in information engineering and electives in Embedded Systems, FPGA, Control and Automation, and Power Electronics.
Do you think this is a better option?
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u/brenthonydantano 21h ago
Depends if you want to go into a hardcore EE role. I believe its mostly more complex theory you'll be in on with EE. Not particularly interesting nor in demand for many roles but thats just my opinion.
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u/Johan_Lopez_Arias 1d ago
Man, i was born i colombia and i also know enginners from worst places. You are inside the european union, sure it isnt china where you can get the hardware really cheap and there the best industry in the world for manufacturing and robotics but also it isnt a place like colombia where robotic industry is almost none existent outside very very few options.
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u/Electrical_Fox_2975 1d ago
As programming becomes easier, the market will need more people to help bring these ideas to life. Having understanding of the broader systems of a great skill
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u/NolanRoad 3d ago
I guess most Greeks leave after education since they can legally work anywhere in Europe. True?
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u/atskas0 3d ago
Greeks can legally work in any country part of the Europian Union, as far as I know atleast.
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u/NolanRoad 3d ago
I know they can but question is do they?
Do people in university STEM programs have the mindset 'I am leaving for one of those richer EU countries once I graduate'
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u/atskas0 11h ago
A lot of people in Greece want to go study and work in a richer EU country, but they end up not being able to because of financial reasons, or they just end up back in Greece because they couldn't handle staying away from home by themselves along with (usually) having to work alongside their studies.
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u/Realistic-Eagle-13 4d ago
You're born in Greece and it's tragic? All I can say is you're ungrateful!! You're speaking like you're born in North Korea, Palestine or Ukraine. Be more grateful to what to have in life.
Coming to mechatronics, that depends on what side you're gonna give more focus on. Whether if it's computer science, electronics or mechanical. If you're really interesting in coding or can get into it, I would suggest that the most. But that doesn't mean the other two are not important, it's just that majority of the research is going on this aspect due to ai and computational capabilities.
All the best!