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What are some pros and cons of becoming an aerospace engineer?

I am a 10th grader who has some interest in the aerospace field and was curious on some of the pros and cons. #engineering

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Peter’s Answer

When you study aerospace engineering, you're likely to be challenged by a broader range of subject matter than in any other single engineering field. Aerospace engineering at MIT, for example, presents such a complete and integrated set of subject areas that they had to create a special major, "16-ENG" (the aeronautics and astronautics department is number 16) for students who want that breadth and depth while not necessarily specializing in aero & astro applications. The web site for 16-ENG describes it as offering "a deeper level of understanding and skill in a field of engineering comprising multiple disciplinary areas (e.g., autonomous systems, computational engineering, engineering management), or a greater understanding and skill in an interdisciplinary area (e.g., energy, environment and sustainability, or space exploration)." If you look at a modern automobile, a submersible craft for undersea research or industrial tasks, or any number of other complex products, the integration of hardware and software and thermodynamics and fluid mechanics and control system behaviors that's required in aerospace will also be seen in these other non-flying areas – hence that demand for this relatively new major offering.

So far, I've just answered a question you did not actually ask, concerning the *study* of aerospace engineering. Everything so far has amplified just the first point made in Robert's answer above, "it can be very difficult to make it thru the education." The question you actually asked about becoming an aerospace engineer, Robert substantially answers, so perhaps I can add that people I know in aerospace engineering have to be able to handle a lot of pressure and not infrequently, disappointment: a project like building a new spacecraft, or developing and selling a new airliner, are big bets with high risk as well as high reward. Projects start hard, staff up to handle hoped-for success, and then get either a red light or a green light. Years of work may turn into decades of involvement in a satisfying project, or may…not. That said, of the many people I know in this field, ranging from satellite control algorithm developers to astronauts, none of them seems to wish they'd done something else. They love what they do and they are rarely not engaged by their work.

Peter recommends the following next steps:

Admission to top engineering schools, which are the only ones with top-flight aerospace engineering departments from which the best companies tend to hire, is highly competitive. Do more than classroom stuff. Fly some rockets, or get a pilot's license, compete in FIRST Robotics, or build a submarine if you want your application to stand out -- and if you find you don't enjoy that, pick another field.
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Robert’s Answer

Without going into a finite listing of pros and cons, I wanted to offer some thoughts for your consideration. My advice on looking into aviation is that it can be very difficult to make it thru the education. With that said it is not impossible obviously, but you need to understand that it will be hard and require commitment and perseverance to succeed. The job of aerospace engineer varies depending on whether you work for an airline or support shop, a design company, a production company, or a civil aviation authority. If your education is sufficiently difficult, you should find that all the actual jobs you can do are easier than the schooling.

Secondly, aviation is a small community and every opportunity should be explored and contacts cultivated. You never know if who you are dealing with may open another door or a past relationship may come back later to offer success in your current role. Like so many things, aviation is never a one person job and working with a team is key so be sure to start building those skills in school.

Lastly, fear of the unknown never justifies inaction so face the challenges within aviation with confidence and a positive attitude. Be the person who keeps learning and welcomes the most difficult task ... if you can master that you will set yourself apart from the rest.

Robert recommends the following next steps:

Look into universityies that have strong Co-op programs, seek out mentors in high school via linkedIN
Thank you comment icon Robert, great advice. Your comments on education and relationships are insightful. Thank you. Sheila Jordan
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Kate’s Answer

To add on to the great answers already provided, I would suggest also looking into mechanical engineering. It will give you a bit more broad overview than aerospace engineering would. This allows you to have more options once you graduate since like the others the aerospace industry is small and does get affected pretty heavily by economic downturns. You can take electives closely related to aerospace engineering like thermodynamics as well. I would also suggest getting an internship (or two) in the aerospace field to see if that is really what you want to do. If it is you can always get your masters in aerospace to expand your knowledge if you want.
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Ashley’s Answer

Like said above Aerospace Enginneering is a more specialized field and therefore a smaller community and less jobs, however with commercialized space there are more job. So a con is that the jobs are not in every city like other engineering disciplines like civil or mechanical. But if you love spacecraft or planes then there are not much better options. Not to say that other fields like Mevhanical Enginners dont work on planes or spacecraft but it is not the ficus. During your schooling in aerospace the projects are focused on planes and space. Fewer colleges have AE degrees but it is still a lot. I dont think I would have as much fun in school if I had not done AE, and it got me my dream job. I don't disagree with the recommendation to look at Mechanical. It is a bit more broader for more options and you can still get an aerospace job. The college and internships make the difference.

Good luck. It takes work during college but worth it if you want to design or work in aerospace.
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