SHS Strands for College: Which Academic Track Is the Best Mechanical Engineering Strand?
Interested in a career that involves a wide scope for industrial design, development, manufacturing, and operations of mechanical technology? Then, one of your best educational choices is to take a mechanical engineering program for college. But as early as your senior high school years, picking the right strand can give you a major advantage by establishing a strong educational foundation before seeking higher education. With this, if you want to take up the mechanical engineering strand, you would need to take the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) academic track.
Other than the mechanical engineering course, there are other courses under STEM strand that may interest you. Filled with teachings and modules that focuses on the complexities of technologies and sciences, you are sure to be filled with valuable knowledge. Here’s what you need to know about STEM strand and an educational path towards mechanical engineering, and why OEd’s Online K to 12 STEM strand is your best option for being well-equipped for your future.
What is the best strand for a career in Mechanical Engineering?
Mechanical Engineering as a degree program involves learning about the design, development, operation, and maintenance of technologies like machines and other structures used for different industrial purposes. Depending on the college or university you choose after senior high, a mechanical engineering program can take four to five years of specialized courses and hands-on application.
Because of the nature of the specialized college courses in mechanical engineering, students who want to pursue this degree program are encouraged to take the STEM strand. This strand for mechanical engineering provides students with substantial knowledge foundation on the skills and lessons they will tackle later on in their educational careers.
What is the engineering strand?
The engineering strand is a set of courses categorized under the STEM strand. Senior high school students take on the highly technical subject matter of engineering that gives them the headstart they need to understand mathematical and technical skills used in engineering college programs.
Our curriculum’s engineering courses are generalized, which means that STEM students get a taste of all the topics covered when it comes to engineering. Students will study science and technology courses like physics, thermodynamics, gravity, modern technology, and various branches of physical science. Following their senior high school education, students can apply for a Mechanical Engineering program and focus on their specialized field.
Is an engineering strand and STEM the right path for me?
OEd Senior High School is one of the schools with online courses in the Philippines that provide each learner with a strong, holistic, and well-rounded education. We ensure that the lessons will challenge and equip them but also encourage them to explore further studies or employment in areas that fall under science and technology. While alternatives like our General Academic Strand also cover the basics of STEM courses, choosing the STEM strand gives you a number of advantages and benefits if your heart is set on a career in Mechanical Engineering as early as senior high school.
A career in STEM is ideal for those senior high school students who see themselves working in professional careers that focus on specializations specifically on the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Here are a few questions to ask yourself to know if you’re on the right strand for you:
- Do I excel at mathematics and science and want to enhance these skills to work on complex engineering applications to develop new or existing technology?
- Do I feel strongly about a future career around machinery, software, or chemicals?
- Do I like the idea of creating innovative solutions for today’s problems by using science and technology?
- Do I like working dealing with conceptual designs and have the patience for prototyping, testing, and development before coming up with innovative answers?
- Can I see myself in a career that focuses on technological development?
If these questions have established your interest in the engineering strand or taking up Mechanical Engineering in the future, you may find a fulfilling senior high experience under our STEM track.
What can I expect if I take the engineering strand for senior high?
Our holistic STEM curriculum features a number of cores, applied, and specialized subjects designed for a well-rounded education. Our online learning program ensures that our students learn a general scope of STEM at their own pace from the comfort of their home. Some of the STEM track’s specialized subjects include:
- General Mathematics
- General Biology
- General Chemistry
- General Physics
- Pre-Calculus
- Basic Calculus
- Statistics and Probability
- Practical Research
- Work Immersion / Research / Capstone Project
Our online education provides the unique advantage of allowing our students to learn at their own pace. This means our STEM students also need the discipline for comprehensive self-study, especially for the technical topics of STEM. Aside from exceptional skills in mathematics and sciences, students with an advanced level of logic, geometric and spacial awareness, and technological understanding can find themselves excelling in our STEM program.
What are my future employment opportunities after STEM and Mechanical Engineering?
After graduation, STEM students have the option of immediately finding employment or seeking higher education. With your applied skills and experience from your immersion, you could find several job opportunities involving electronics and software. You can also seek higher education in universities] or vocational schools.
Those who opt for educational opportunities can seek out college degree programs that specialize in a specific field of their choice. This can lead to successful careers as pilots, architects, chemists, biologists, software developers, and more. You may also explore other engineering branches that can lead to positions like industrial engineer, chemical engineer, marine engineer, civil engineer, and more.
For those in the STEM strand in senior high school interested in mechanical engineering as a future path, you’ll have to apply and be accepted to universities that offer the degree program. Your coursework may vary depending on the institutions you apply to, but you may find that your background in STEM will provide you with a strong advantage as you study your way to your mechanical engineering degree.
After obtaining a degree in mechanical engineering, you’ll have to take a licensure examination before you can work as a professional mechanical engineer in the Philippines. Once they’ve passed this, many of our students go onto have illustrious careers in development and manufacturing for industrial private companies and government agencies. Mechanical engineering has a broad scope, so students can find a wide array of job opportunities to apply their skills to.
Build Your Future Today with OEd Senior High School
This is just a glimpse of the possible opportunities that could await you should you decide to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. Our Senior High School STEM strand is the best first step towards a successful and fulfilling career towards building innovative solutions in the future. And at OEd Senior High School, we’re here to help you assess your best move forward and provide you with the education that can put you ahead of the curve.
Our STEM strand is ideal for those who want a future in mechanical engineering and other branches of engineering and technology. once you’ve narrowed down your options and confirmed your interest in a future of science and technology, get in touch with us today to learn more about our STEM track offerings.