4 answers
Wesley
Student
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What career paths can I take if I decide to major in aerospace engineering?
#aerospace-engineering #engineering #aerospace
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4 answers
Lane Taylor
Chief Engineer - Aerospace
7
Answers
Brooksville, Florida
Updated
Lane’s Answer
Within the aerospace 'umbrella', there are many topics and specialties. As Dr. Uger mentioned above, the current boom in the space sector is quite exciting, along with newer developments in supersonic technology and other related topics.
My specialty is structures, although I've moved into the executive level now. This is a difficult question to answer, because based on my personal experience, the classes I took in college, structures is the last thing I would have wanted to do. I studied mostly thermodynamics and propulsion (still a very exciting field, currently), and honestly hated my structures classes.
However, once I started working in the field, I loved it! :)
So I would recommend if you are really interested in the aerospace sector, go for an actual aerospace degree (most in the field have mechanical or other specialties). This will expose you to the various aspects that might pique your interest (one of my favorite classes was 'Space Mission Analysis and Design').
If you can get internships during college, that will likely go a long way towards helping you make your choices.
Good luck.
My specialty is structures, although I've moved into the executive level now. This is a difficult question to answer, because based on my personal experience, the classes I took in college, structures is the last thing I would have wanted to do. I studied mostly thermodynamics and propulsion (still a very exciting field, currently), and honestly hated my structures classes.
However, once I started working in the field, I loved it! :)
So I would recommend if you are really interested in the aerospace sector, go for an actual aerospace degree (most in the field have mechanical or other specialties). This will expose you to the various aspects that might pique your interest (one of my favorite classes was 'Space Mission Analysis and Design').
If you can get internships during college, that will likely go a long way towards helping you make your choices.
Good luck.
Dr. Ugur GUVEN
Professor & Senior Engineer
3
Answers
London, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Dr. Ugur’s Answer
This is actually an exciting time to be an Aerospace Engineer with so many different paths opening up in the aerospace sector. You can work either in the aeronautics sector or in the aerospace sector. With the expansion of the aviation sector in coming years and in the boom of space industry in the next few years, there are many opportunities for you to work as an aerospace engineer. However you will need to choose your specialization such as Aeronautics, propulsion systems, control systems, satellite systems, etc. Take a look at the various summary lectures of some of these topics in https://aerospacelectures.com/ and see which subsegment piques your interest. Depending on your specific interest, there are certain recommendations that can be made for your future career.
Joseph Neilson
Radiation Detection Physicist
219
Answers
Oxford, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
There's a couple of great answers here already, but I'll just add that taking an aerospace engineering degree doesn't restrict you to just working in aerospace. I know you're probably choosing aerospace engineering because you want to go into an aerospace career, but if for whatever reason that doesn't work out or you change your mind in future, the knowledge and skills you learn studying aerospace can also be applied to a whole range of other areas.
I've met several ex-aerospace engineers where I work in the nuclear industry, and there'll be plenty of other areas you can go into. In the energy and power industry more generally, think how similar a jet turbine is to a power generating turbine, and you'll see how aerospace skills can be immediately applied; and it's broader than that - any field that uses large-scale engineering will likely have career paths where an aerospace engineer can fit in well.
I've met several ex-aerospace engineers where I work in the nuclear industry, and there'll be plenty of other areas you can go into. In the energy and power industry more generally, think how similar a jet turbine is to a power generating turbine, and you'll see how aerospace skills can be immediately applied; and it's broader than that - any field that uses large-scale engineering will likely have career paths where an aerospace engineer can fit in well.
Ashley Dunn
Project Engineering Manager
14
Answers
Fort Worth, Texas
Updated
Ashley’s Answer
As Joseph said above, you are not limited to the Aero Industry, I have been in and out of the Aero Industry. Also in any field you can stay technical, go into management, or go into Program Management. There are many options and I agree with those above that you want to pick a specific thing that iterests you, like controls, structures, thermodynamics as an Aero degree is pretty broad and I recommend extra projects and work in a field you like. But this is a exciting time and any degree in engineering will serve you well.
It is tough to ask someone how they got in thier position, it is usually a winding road that can't be duplicated but have the same theme, that the worked in a area, explored, met other is other areas and were recommended to apply to new jobs or looked for opportunities to learn.
It is tough to ask someone how they got in thier position, it is usually a winding road that can't be duplicated but have the same theme, that the worked in a area, explored, met other is other areas and were recommended to apply to new jobs or looked for opportunities to learn.