Advice for studies from a Mechanical/Mechatronic Engineer/Technologist

marco79

marco79

Expert Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2008
Messages
4,474
Reaction score
547
Location
Back in CPT!
My son has not achieved the minimum requirements for his National Senior Certificate Maths for acceptance to CPUT for Mechatronics Engineering National Diploma.

I am looking for advice wrt his studies for this year.

The plan is for him to rewrite Maths in June 2025. If all goes well, he could gain acceptance into this course for 2026.

He could register at Northlink College for a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering. All the prescribed modules are finished in Year 1. Year 2 & 3 are in-service training years (this 2 years could be completed after the CPUT Diploma). Some of the subjects would give him an advantage when studying at CPUT in 2026.

or

He is on the waiting list for his 2nd choice, ICT Diploma in Applications Development at CPUT. We could try to get him enrolled for this but this was his 1st choice before doing Engineering Graphics Design & Electrical Engineering as subjects at school.

One thing he doesn't want to do is wait a year before continuing with his studies.

Any advice would be great.
 
Engineer here (electronics and mechatronics sortoff) and i've interacted with many mech.eng young and old, still work with a few.

.....rewriting maths is good idea.

Some of this is going to trigger people but facts are facts.

a. Artisans are very respected and highly-paid is many companies
b. Its not all about money, as a dad you want the best for your boy but make sure to not push him into something he is going to want to quit (if he goes the mech eng route)
c. Becomming a qualified and experienced mechanical engineer can be extemely rewarding EVENTUALLY but there are easier ways to make money 😁.
d. SA climate (university and work) have a way of draining an engineers passion


1. Does he really want to be a mech eng?
Diploma in mech eng.tech is not really an easy path to becomming an engineer ( i stand to be corrected)

2. mechanical engineer>>mechanical engineering technologist>>mechanical engineering technician (sortoff)
Companies do blur these lines but early on in career its not easy.

3.CPUT, tech, TVET: Most common,before diploma is awarded, they have to do in-service training for a year, most hate it as it's usually some kind of plant/maintainence related job.
comming entry level job for these qualifications is maintainence technicians, plant operations, etc.
Hard work, sometimes good pay - blue collar work is not for everyone.
ps: absolutely nothing wrong with that sort of work, gauge expectations.

4. To qualify in mech eng is extremely difficult then in the early years of work is not very rewarding.
SA is also not a good 'niche employer' so if he wants to be a 'design engineer' - its going to be very tough in SA.
Going the diploma route means
Diploma --> hons.Degree --> Post grad degree (bridging course IIRC)

5. More exciting and higher paying mech.eng jobs are offered to bursars (whom company's sponsor) and the race aspect here cannot be ignored, ive had fully degree'd qualified friends with BSC.eng (mech) and couldnt get a gap into those companies as junior\student.

6. If he does go the diploma route, its not widely recognized overseas

7. Mech. Engineering technologist are different from Mech engineers.
Mech eng is done at all the big universities with a BSC.eng, B.Eng, these are very tough degrees to get through and not worth the effort IMHO if you're just going to be a PM.
Years of study vs pay level is not a thing we talk about in SA 😆

8. If he has passion for the field and drive, (and would like to design stuff) then still has options
--> try to get into 1737553740712.png
--> alternatively, continue the diploma route and self learn CAD , self learning is key to boster a CV someday. He will have to drive himself forward here.
(I had collegues that succeeded here and been trying to push a family member in this regard, I know its possible)
 
Career advice:
Software developer, diploma, degree, doesnt matter. Skills in high demand, barrier to entry is lower, earning potential much higher.
 
Just an update to this thread.

Unfortunately, CPUT does not have an extended programme for Mechatronics. And Northlink College registrations were closed for Mechanical Eng Diploma.

The plan is for my son to rewrite Maths in June. He applied yesterday for the rewrite.

It was recommended that he does a few of the Mechanical Eng Diploma modules. This we will see if he can register for the 2nd Trimester.

While he is home over the next few months, between maths revision, he will try to obtain his Learner's & Driver's License.
 
kabir said:
Engineer here (electronics and mechatronics sortoff) and i've interacted with many mech.eng young and old, still work with a few.

.....rewriting maths is good idea.

Some of this is going to trigger people but facts are facts.

a. Artisans are very respected and highly-paid is many companies
b. Its not all about money, as a dad you want the best for your boy but make sure to not push him into something he is going to want to quit (if he goes the mech eng route)
c. Becomming a qualified and experienced mechanical engineer can be extemely rewarding EVENTUALLY but there are easier ways to make money 😁.
d. SA climate (university and work) have a way of draining an engineers passion


1. Does he really want to be a mech eng?
Diploma in mech eng.tech is not really an easy path to becomming an engineer ( i stand to be corrected)

2. mechanical engineer>>mechanical engineering technologist>>mechanical engineering technician (sortoff)
Companies do blur these lines but early on in career its not easy.

3.CPUT, tech, TVET: Most common,before diploma is awarded, they have to do in-service training for a year, most hate it as it's usually some kind of plant/maintainence related job.
comming entry level job for these qualifications is maintainence technicians, plant operations, etc.
Hard work, sometimes good pay - blue collar work is not for everyone.
ps: absolutely nothing wrong with that sort of work, gauge expectations.

4. To qualify in mech eng is extremely difficult then in the early years of work is not very rewarding.
SA is also not a good 'niche employer' so if he wants to be a 'design engineer' - its going to be very tough in SA.
Going the diploma route means
Diploma --> hons.Degree --> Post grad degree (bridging course IIRC)

5. More exciting and higher paying mech.eng jobs are offered to bursars (whom company's sponsor) and the race aspect here cannot be ignored, ive had fully degree'd qualified friends with BSC.eng (mech) and couldnt get a gap into those companies as junior\student.

6. If he does go the diploma route, its not widely recognized overseas

7. Mech. Engineering technologist are different from Mech engineers.
Mech eng is done at all the big universities with a BSC.eng, B.Eng, these are very tough degrees to get through and not worth the effort IMHO if you're just going to be a PM.
Years of study vs pay level is not a thing we talk about in SA 😆

8. If he has passion for the field and drive, (and would like to design stuff) then still has options
--> try to get into View attachment 1790177
--> alternatively, continue the diploma route and self learn CAD , self learning is key to boster a CV someday. He will have to drive himself forward here.
(I had collegues that succeeded here and been trying to push a family member in this regard, I know its possible)
Click to expand...
I am a Pr Techni Eng and have a BTech (Civil Eng). Busy with my ECSA application form for Pr Tech. I know it would be best to go for an engineering degree from the beginning.

My son wants to be more practical and has an interest in electrical and automation. The was Mechatronics was explained was Mechanical 50%, Electrical 25%, Programming 25%. It would give him a broader range for employment in the future.

I know a Mechatronics Engineering Graduate that is now working for an overseas IT company.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X