6 High-Value Minor Degrees for Mechanical Engineers in 2025

With the rise of widely available artificial intelligence tools, electrification, and the increasing demand for systems integration, today’s engineering students must seek a new answer to an old question: Which minor will help make me future-ready?

“Technology is changing quickly, and mechanical engineers feel the impact more than most,” said Mark Saltrelli, vice president of engineering recruiting at Kelly Science, Engineering, Technology & Telecom. “With the public accessibility of AI, embedded systems and machine learning tools, engineers can no longer afford to stay in their comfort zones. The core mechanical engineering skill set still matters, but how that work gets done and what’s expected on day one, looks very different than it did even two years ago.”

Minor degrees may not directly impact starting salaries, but they do help graduates stand out in a competitive job market. A well-chosen minor reflects initiative, expands one’s technical toolkit, and shows awareness of engineering’s future. 

Here are six minors that recruiters and employers find valuable in 2025, each offering mechanical engineers a way to accelerate their growth and stay aligned with where the field is headed.