Hello again, welcome to another instalment of Career Walk.

GSAT results have been out for about a week now and our news feeds have been bombarded with the joyous stories of those children who passed for their school of choice, and in the same breath, we have read about the devastation of those who have gone to not-so-ideal schools. This might be a cliché, but truth of the matter is, each one of us is born with innate talents and skills that can be harnessed regardless of which high school we attend. The key thing is to identify that talent or skill and use it. In the end, reaching your career is your responsibility.

That said, this week we will look at the profession of a mechatronic engineer.

Firstly, mechatronics is an interdisciplinary field in science and technology that integrates electronic systems, mechanical systems, control systems, and computers, used mainly in the automation and robotics industries.

A mechatronic engineer not only designs and builds robots and supercomputers, which is really the highest level of mechatronics so far, but also carries out instalment, operation and maintenance of any automated machine. In other words, a mechatronic engineer Is like being a mechanical engineer and an IT specialist all in one.

There are others aspects of this profession that are not mentioned here, this is just a summary. If you are interested in the field, this is just to give you an idea of what mechatronic engineering involves. The details are for you to go and research.

To pursue a degree in mechatronic engineering, subjects such as information technology and mechanics are mandatory. Similar programmes are offered locally at the University of Technology, the HEART Trust/NTA and the Caribbean Maritime Institute.

The Labour Market Research and Intelligence Department listed mechatronic engineering as a skill on demand in the aviation and logistics industries, so acquiring this skill would not lead to a dead end.

Until next time, be strategic in choosing the career that’s just for you.

— Sharlene Hendricks