Mechanical engineers have a wide range of job opportunities. They may be management, sales, development, research, or design or production engineers in industries such as food, steel, chemical and heavy and light engineering. They also can work in service industries such as transport and gas, water, and electricity.
Mechanical engineers are vital to the running of plants. Without them production would be impossible. Each plant is likely to be different. Some are large, some are small and most are complex. The main operational objectives of safety, efficiency and profitability are common to them all and demand a range of technical and personal skills from the engineers.
Mechanical engineers are concerned with machines, mechanisms and energy conversion. Mechanical equipment is at the core of the plants. Each plant is different from the next: the machines are particular to the process involved in making the end product and mechanical engineers are involved in their design, building and operation. They are at the forefront of technology: pressing the limits of material capability, developing new materials of construction, specifying complex machines and doing all of this with the most sophisticated design techniques.
Mechanical engineers’ jobs are demanding and exciting. Their skills, technical and managerial, are used to the fullest. In plant operation the job is to keep the plant running and stimulate the team to make better use of equipment to improve performance.
Mechanical engineers are at the core of production: they manage plant and equipment, they manage people. In fact, they manage our future.
Exercise 12. Read the following text.Is it about your specialty, technology of machine design.
I am a second-year student of Machine-Building Department of Tver State Technical University. My specialty is technology of machine design.
Technology of machine design is a subject which studies processes of machine parts. Machining deals with the usage of different kinds of complex equipment such as: various machines, cutting instruments, all kinds of devices, fixtures, adapters, etc.
The subject of technology of machine design is taught at special technical higher schools and at our University, too. Almost all sorts of machines, mechanisms, machine-tools, instruments and apparatus are manufactured in our country inсluding modern high-precision machine tools, giant turbogenerators, electronic computers, atomic reactors, various automatic devices and other equipment.
Students of the machine-building department must know modern machines, cutting tools and special equipment which is used to perform machining operations. An engineer working in this field of science should work out new types of production. These machines may be designed for operations on a fully automatic cycle. They may have special equipment including control. These machines can be used to perform not one but many operations at once: milling, sawing, centering, facing, chamfering, drilling, turning, etc.
Automation of all industrial processes is of great importance at today’s stage of the development of engineering. The number of automatic plants in our country is growing and will continue to grow.
So much can be said about the development of our machine-building industry. I can only add that my specialty is extremely interesting and I shall master it successfully, I’m sure.
Exercise 13. Answer the questions.
1. What is your specialty?
2. What does the subject of technology of machine design study?
3. Where is the subject of technology of machine design taught?
4. What sorts of machines are manufactured in our country?
5. Why must students of machine-building department know modern machines?
6. What operations can be performed at once?
7. What should engineers do to develop machine-building industry?
Exercise 14. Read the text again and be ready to speak about your speciality.
Exercise 15. Read the dialogue “At a Plant” and be ready to reproduce it.
Two students meet in the factory grounds of a plant. One, Ivan, is a second-year student, the other, Boris, an undergraduate. They shake hands and start talking.
| Ivan
| Hello, Boris! I didn’t expect to meet you here. I thought you were going to have your pre-diploma practice in Moscow.
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| Boris
| I am going to Moscow in a day or two, but I have to collect some material here, in the design office of this plant. And what are you doing at the plant?
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| Ivan
| you see, I’ve joined the SNTO of our faculty. I have been asked to organize an excursion to this plant and to get ready to give the students a general description of the plant at our next sitting. A detailed description of shops and processes will be given by the chief processing engineer during our excursion. I’ve just spoken to him.
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| Boris
| Well, what shops have you seen?
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| Ivan
| First, I went to the foundry. As foundry is my speciality.
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| Boris
| Is it? I thought you were studying forging and pressing, same as I. So, what have you seen in the foundry?
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| Ivan
| I made a tour of its major departments: sand casting, mould casting, die casting, precision casting, and centrifugal casting.
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| Boris
| you seem to have forgotten one more department. I remember having my first industrial training there, namely investment casting.
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| Ivan
| I haven’t forgotten anything. I didn’t mention it because the method is closely related to precision casting.
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| Boris
| I think the students will get interested in mould casting and die casting.
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| Ivan
| May be you are right. Mould casting is a high-speed method by which at least 500 castings can be made from a single mould and the number may be even higher, depending upon the metal being cast.
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| Boris
| And what are you going to tell them about die casting?
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| Ivan
| First of all, that in this process the molten metal is forces into a permanent mould under pressure, the mould consisting of two parts. Then I’ll tell them that the method is particularly good for casting non-ferrous alloys. The engineer will show them the casting machine and explain the whole process in detail.
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| Boris
| And who will tell the students about forging, pressing and stamping?
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| Ivan
| The engineer will. He said he would show us the new press line for cold-sheet stamping and the automatic forging set-ups. He said that these forging set-ups consist of mechanical and hydraulic presses integrated by automatic material handling devices. I have never seen such set-ups.
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| Boris
| This is the most advanced technology. I’m going to do my diploma project on this very subject. I could tell you a lot of interesting things about it, when we meet in autumn.
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| Ivan
| Good. What do you think, Boris, about the assembly shop? I, personally, was greatly impressed by it! I have never thought that a shop working in three shifts could be so clean! Besides, it seems to be very quiet, as compared to the other shops, despite everything being on the move. (Looking at his watch) I must be running now. Good-bye!
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| Boris
| good luck!
|
Exercise 16. You are going to read part of a leaflet prepared by a large employment agency. It gives advice on what to do and what not to do at interviews. Choose the most suitable headings from the list A-F for each part (1-5). Notice that there is one heading which you do not need to use.
| A
| “What did you leave your last job?”
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| B
| What else should you do during the interview?
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| C
| “What did you do in your last job?”
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| D
| How should you prepare for the interview?
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| E
| “Why do you want to work for us?”
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| F
| What questions should I ask my interviewers?
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|
| __________________________________
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| | · Find out as much as you can about your prospective employers and the business they are in. think about the questions you are most likely to be asked, and at least three questions you would like to ask them. Then make sure you arrive for the interview at least fifteen minutes early. Here, by the way, are four of the most frequent questions interviewers ask. Think calmly about them while you are waiting.
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| |
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|
|
| __________________________________
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| | · Don’t just give the name of the job. Describe the main duties and responsibilities the job involved. Then pause and see if your interview has any further questions.
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| |
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|
| | · Be as positive as possible. Emphasize all the things you learned that you think will be useful in the new job. Be sure to mention any promotion or advancement you had.
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| |
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|
| __________________________________
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| | · Never say “It was boring”. Instead, say that you didn’t think you could make use of your full abilities. Don’t criticize your previous employer. If you lost your job through no fault of your own, briefly describe the problems the company had. Never give you prospective employers the impression that you are bitter.
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| |
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|
|
| __________________________________
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| | · Don’t talk only about what you hope to get from the firm. Emphasize what you think you can do for them and all the things in your previous experience and training that you think will be useful in the new job. Be sure also to mention something you have learned about your prospective employers that impressed you.
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| |
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|
| __________________________________
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| | · Relax. Be yourself.
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| |
|
|
| | · Look at your interviewer when he or she asks you questions.
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| |
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| | · If you don’t understand a question, politely say “I’m not sure if I understand. Do you mean …”
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| |
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| | · Remember the questions you would like to ask. Be sure to ask at least one or two before the interview is over.
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| |
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|
| | · At the end, thank your interviewers for seeing you.
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Exercise 17. Read the sample job interview for students and recent graduates and be ready to answer the same questions.
| Why did you select your University?
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| | I chose to go to a university because I like being part of a large group. The world is a big place, just as my university, and the parallels between the two will better help prepare me for post- university life. Also, my university has a really strong school of sciences and I wanted to study under the best minds in the country.
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| Describe your most rewarding college experience.
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| | My most rewarding university experience occurred even before I arrived on campus as a freshman. Two weeks prior to orientation day, the university offered an “outward bound” program that first year students could participate in. During those two weeks, I overcame fears, made life long friends, and gained the self-confidence I needed to start my university journey.
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| If I were to ask your professors to describe you in three words, what would they be?
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| | Sharp, intellectual, humorous.
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| What was your greatest strength as a student?
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| | I enjoy working in large and small groups because I love the different ideas that are generated, as well as the quality of work you can create, when multiple brains work together.
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| How has your college experience prepared you for a career?
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| | I learned a lot about myself during my four years in university. I faced challenges that I never thought I would come across and in turn, I have become more confident.
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| Tell me about your work experience? How has it prepared you for a career?
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| | I’ve had a job every summer since I was 16 years old. My primary reason to work was to have some extra spending money, but what I didn’t realize was that I was actually sampling careers to see where I fit in. I worked as a mechanical engineer assistant at a local artificial fibre combine during the summer before my freshman year of University. It was then that I discovered what I wanted to do for my career. I decided I would to go to the University and focus on becoming a mechanical engineer and that’s what I did. I have been working in the same combine ever since.
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| How do you plan to overcome your weakness?
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| | One of my greatest strengths – and a weakness – is my passion for what I am doing. For example, while in the university, I had a variety of courses at the same time and had more of an interest in one than the other. I sometimes caught myself paying more attention to one over the other which is apparent in the end results.
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| What unique attributes can you bring to this company and position?
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| | My strongest attribute is my determination. I take on every challenge head-on and do what I need to accomplish my goals, even when the challenge is difficult.
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Exercise 18. We use certain expressions in different social situations. Match the following expressions and responses. When do we use these expressions? Translate them into Russian.
| How are you?
| Sleep well!
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| Hello, Jane!
| Yes. Can I help you?
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| How do you do?
| Good morning!
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| See you tomorrow!
| Fine, thanks.
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| Good night!
| Pleased to meet, Ela.
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| Good morning!
| Not at all. Don’t mention it.
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| Hello, I’m Ela Paul.
| Thanks.
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| Cheers!
| Same to you!
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| Excuse me!
| That’s very kind. Thank you.
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| Bless you!
| Bye!
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| Have a good weekend!
| How do you do?
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| Thank you very much indeed.
| Hi, Peter!
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| Make yourself at home.
| Cheers!
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Exercise 19. How polite are you? In the following quiz choose the right answer.
a)
| You are on a bus. The person next to you is playing loud music. What do you say?
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| A
| “Would you mind turning your music down, please?”
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| B
| “Excuse me, but I can’t read my book with all that noise!”
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| C
| “You’re very rude, aren’t you?”
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|
|
| b)
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| You’re in class. The student behind you is kicking your chair. What do you say?
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| A
| “Can you stop that, I can’t concentrate!”
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| B
| “Teacher! He’s kicking my chair!”
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| C
| “Stop that now!”
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|
| c)
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| It’s the middle of the night. Your neighbour’s dog is barking. You can’t sleep. Do you …
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| A
| phone your neighbour and say “Could you stop Mitzy barking, please?”
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| B
| phone the police and say “Would you come quickly, there’s a dangerous animal at Number 22!”
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| C
| open the window and shout “Shut up!”
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|
|
| d)
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| You’re having a romantic dinner in a restaurant. A man near you is shouting on his mobile phone. What do you say?
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| A
| “Do you mind moving somewhere else?”
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| B
| “Waiter! Please tell this man to go outside!”
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| C
| “I’m sorry, but we’re trying to be romantic here!”
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Exercise 20. How polite are you? In the following dialogues choose the suitable reply.
a)
| Susan
| Hi, Mary. How’s life?
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| Mary
| __________________________________
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| | A
| Fine, thanks. And you?
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| | B
| Very well, thank you. What about you?
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| | C
| How do you do?
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| | D
| Thanks, nice to see you.
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b)
| Miss Brown
| Hello. Could I speak to Ann Jones, please?
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| Secretary
| __________________________________
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| | A
| I’m afraid she’s away from her desk right now.
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| | B
| She isn’t here.
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| | C
| She’s on another line.
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| | D
| I don’t know where she is.
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c)
| Teacher
| Give me that book. Will you?
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| Student
| __________________________________
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| | A
| Very well, then.
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| | B
| I couldn’t say for sure.
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| | C
| Just a minute.
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| | D
| Here you are.
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d)
| Clerk
| __________________________________
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| Customer
| I’d like to book two roundtrip tickets to Boston.
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| | A
| What do you want?
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| | B
| May I help you?
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| | C
| What’s the problem?
|
| | D
| Have a nice trip!
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e)
| Friend
| __________________________________
|
| You
| OK, see you.
|
| | A
| Would you excuse me, please? It’s time I was going off. Good-bye.
|
| | B
| Can I talk to you?
|
| | C
| Well. I must be off now. Bye.
|
| | D
| I’m afraid I must be going now. Good-bye.
|
f)
| Student
| Could you help me?
|
| Librarian
| __________________________________
|
| | A
| Wait a minute. Can you come later?
|
| | B
| Oh, I haven’t seen you for ages. Would you remind me of your last visit here?
|
| | C
| What?
|
| | D
| I’d be glad to. What is it?
|
g)
| Receptionist
| __________________________________
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| Guest
| I’d like a single room for one night.
|
| | A
| What is you name, please?
|
| | B
| What do you want, sir?
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| | C
| Good morning, sir. I’m at your service.
|
| | D
| How long are you going to stay at the hotel?
|
Exercise 21. Complete the following conversations with the phrases from the boxes, say in what situations they are possible, learn them by heart and act them out. Pay attention to the expression in bold and translate them.
a)
| I’m sorry
| Excuse me
| of course
| Sorry
|
| A
| _________! Can I get past?
|
| B
| _________?
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| A
| Can I get past, please?
|
| B
| _________. I didn’t hear you. Yes, _________.
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| A
| Thanks a lot.
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b)
| That’s right
| Oh, what a pity
| Congratulations
| Never mind
| I hear
|
| A
| _________ you are going to get married soon. _________!
|
| B
| _________, next July. July 21. Can you come to the wedding?
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| A
| _________! That’s when we’re away on holiday.
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| B
| _________. We’ll send you some wedding cake.
|
| A
| That’s very kind.
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c)
| Hurry up
| all right
| Oh, dear
| Just a minute
| I haven’t a clue
|
| A
| _________! Look at the time! _________, or we’ll miss the train.
|
| B
| _________! I can’t find my umbrella. Do you know where it is?
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| A
| _________. But you won’t need it. It’s a lovely day. Just look at the sky!
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| B
| Oh, _________. Let’s go then.
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d)
| Good luck
| See you later
| Same to you
| Good idea
| What about you
|
| No, of course not
|
|
| A
| _________ in your exam!
|
| B
| _________. I hope we both pass.
|
| A
| Did you go out last night?
|
| B
| _________. I went to bed early.?
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| A
| Me, too. _________ after the exam. Let’s go for a drink.
|
| B
| _________.
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Exercise 22. Read some proverbs, try to guess their meaning. Give their Russian equivalents.
1. The best things in life are free.
2. A stitch in time saves nine.
3. Still waters run deep.
4. He teaches ill, who teaches all.
5. You can’t take it with you when you die.
6. Better untaught than ill taught.
7. Don’t cross your bridges before you come to them.
8. Soon learnt, soon forgotten.
9. Even a worm will turn.
10. It was the last straw that broke the camel’s back.
11. The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.
12. If the stone falls upon the egg, alas for the egg! If the egg falls upon the stone, alas for the egg!
13. Where there’s a will there’s a way.
14. Marry in haste, and repent at leisure.
15. One tongue is enough for a woman.
16. If you wish good advice, consult an old man.
17. The best advice is found on the pillow.
18. All clouds bring not rain.
19. You can’t tell a book by its cover.
20. Bad news travels fast.
21. No news is good news.
22. Live and let live.
23. Birds of a feather flock together.
24. Tell me who you go with and I’ll tell you who you are.
