I was wondering if anyone can think of some hands-on Mechanical Engineering related things that a student can work on in their dorm/apartment? Just something like a project that can give them more experience in their field? I know for EE's it's as easy as buying some circuit boards or circuit board sets and kind of playing around with that but I feel like for Mechanical it's hard unless you have a machine shop, lab, or a lot of money. Any ideas?
I'm kinda in the same boat as you. I'm going into my 2nd year as a MechE major. I think it's better and easier to work on a design project with other students through the college (like building a robot or designing an engine). My college has all sorts of stuff going on with the students and projects, I just have to make an effort to join and participate in one.
Go for a relevant research job in the meantime. Though I'm not a MechE major, I went to a lab and started working on some mechanical projects my incoming freshman year. I'd think you would be able to find something, especially since your major is relevant.
Probably not what you're looking for, but computer programming. The more advanced an ME gets with that, the better their job prospects. CAD, FEA, Labview, C+
I've drawn some stuff in CAD that I can make for my car using parts from McMaster-Carr (Google it if you're not familiar) for not a ton of money. There are cheap way of getting the metal cut (i.e. water jet) and then the most expensive thing would be welding.
