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Questions for an Aerospace Engineer:
Questions for an Aerospace Engineer:
What does the day of an Aerospace Engineer look like (more in-depth)?
What are the average hours per week? Is there mandatory over-time?
Is this a very creative job? Or is it your assignment very structured?
Is the job very dynamic? Is there always a new assignment to work on?
Is it so difficult that you need to do research outside of work (internet, seeking another professional, books, etc.) or do the job training & academic education suffice?
What do they mainly ask at an interview? Does NASA offer apprenticeships?
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Robert’s Answer
The answers to your questions around the job of an Aerospace Engineer will vary depending on what area of the general field you go into. All AE jobs will be the basic 8 hour days but different companies will offer different levels of flexibility on how you get those 40 hours per week and/or 80 hours per pay-period, some jobs even offer night-shift liaison engineering for airline operations. If you go into the aircraft (or sub-component) design areas, you will get to use high-level 3D modeling and printing tools. If you go into the aircraft operations and continued maintenance and safety areas you will be more hands-on with the parts and components. If you go into the safety oversight or policy areas (typically later in your career) you will have more high-level understanding of the aircraft design but then less specific knowledge of any one system or part. Aerospace also has a large international footprint thanks to globalization. There are opportunities around the world for US-training AEs. Most of these jobs are with the big companies and/or the FAA or ICAO, but there are also international opportunities with other Civil aviation authorities who don't have access to a steady stream of qualified engineers. Also, don't forget that there are literally emerging markets in space and drones which are both heavily dependent of AEs. Quite literally (and pun intended) the sky is the limit to what an AE can do in their career.
If you live in GA (or near), then the Georgia Institute of Technology is the place to go. Annually ranked in the top 5 of all Aerospace schools in the world.
Find a mentor; if you are already attending GT, then check out their AE Mentors in Residence program for more detailed advice and guidance on career paths
Co-op, find out if you like the AE jobs in real time between semesters
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Thank you for answering my question. I am curious, where can I find apprenticeships for this career? Do you know what I would need to get hired by my first company? Also, I am studying to become an Aerospace technician first & have an apprenticeship while studying this trade to have experience up my belt. Next, I want to start studying Aerospace Engineering at the university. Is this a good idea or should I skip studying Aerospace Technician & enter a university immediately to study Aerospace Engineering?
M
Most of the the AE schools have connections to the industry via their internal internship and/or co-op programs. The only pre-req usually is to be a 2nd year or higher AE student with good academic standing. From there you can make the needed connections while in school to help line up your first AE job. While getting your Aerospace Tech license is commendable, it will typically not make things easier for you to land your first AE job. In many cases you can save yourself the time and money by just jumping in an going straight for the AE degree. For example, many airlines see value and offer incentives for their engineers to also have A&P Certificates... However, outside the airline ops world, this extra credential is not as valuable for your career advancement.
Robert Sprayberry, MRAeS
Thank you so much for answering my questions. It really clarified a lot of things. Now I have a lot to think about. Thank you again. :-D
M