What should I do if my school doesn't offer aerospace engineering?
The closest bachelor's degree to aerospace engineering my school offers is mechanical engineering. Should I stay on the mechanical engineering track and conduct internships related to aerospace or transfer to a different school with an aerospace major? What are some thoughts?
#mechanical #aerospace #engineering #ideas
4 answers
G. Mark’s Answer
I would strongly suggest you contact some companies that offer internships or co-op positions. This has the advantage of giving you concrete information on eventual employment, but also getting you some contact with folks in your chosen field. They can tell you if continuing in mechanical engineering covers their needs for new employees, as well as possibly getting you access to classes in other universities they may have arrangements with. While going to undergraduate school in Detroit, I co-opped at IBM in Poughkeepsie, New York. I had access to college courses at other universities and internal classes as well. I found it to be educational and a blast.
John’s Answer
Lillian’s Answer
Both of those options will help you get into the aerospace engineering field. If you're staying on the mechanical engineering track, make sure to also take electives related to aerospace as well as get internships in that field.
If your ONLY reason for transferring is solely because your school doesn't have aerospace engineering, I would say it's not worth transferring. If there's other reasons like the new school is more prestigious, is more well-known, is in a location that you like more, has more rigorous coursework, has more internship opportunities, or any other reasons, then I would say sure, go for it. In the end, both of these options are relatively even as it'll take you about the same amount of work to achieve both.
Andrei’s Answer
Hello Henry,
Mrs. Wang gave some excellent advice.
I have a friend that got his Aeronautical engineering degree, and was unable to find a job in the New York area. So, he went back and got his mechanical engineering degree. He mentioned that the mechanical engineering degree will open a lot more doors in the future, because it can be applied in just about every field out there, including aeronautical. With the mechanical engineering degree, he's worked on submarines, briefly with an aerospace part manufacturer, construction, and now with an electrical power plant that supplies at least 25% of the electricity for New York City.
If you are willing to move for a school, then you are most likely willing to move for a job as well. Ask yourself what is more important to you. An aeronautical engineer, will most likely find a job with one of the major aircraft manufacturers. You can google them, and ask yourself if you are willing to relocate to one of those places. NASA and the airlines are other options, but they too have their own locations.
In my opinion,I think the mechanical engineering will give you a broader range.
Good luck!