Research Essay: Comparing and
Contrasting Professions Within One Major (Mechatronics Technology)

Prompt/Overview

·        
The goal of a comparison and
contrast essay is not to simply identify similarities and differences between
two concepts/objects. If you are trying to decide between buying two cars, for
example, you will compare/contrast them both in order to determine which car you will purchase. There is an end
goal to your analysis.

·        
The connection between one’s
studies and a future life path is an important relationship to figure out.

·        
In this essay, you will compare
and contrast two professions available
to someone with your degree or major (Mechatronics Technology) in order to determine
which profession is most advantageous to recent graduates, depending on
individual students’ priorities.

·        
If you plan to transfer to a
four-year institution but do not yet know what major you will choose, simply
choose a major that interests you and is available at a four-year college.

·        
Choose three or four specific
points of comparison that you find the most interesting; then analyze both
jobs. For example, what responsibilities does each job require? What types of
skills are necessary for each profession, and how would someone with your
degree qualify for the job? Are these jobs available everywhere or would they
require relocating to a particular region? Note that you should write about two possible careers that relate to one major.

·        
Since you will not be able to
discuss every aspect of each job, narrow your topic to focus on the
characteristics that you feel should be the highest priority. Your personal experiences with the job
should not be included in the essay; you’ll base your thesis on research.