- #1
Dude McCheese
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Hi all,
I am a third year Bachelor of Aerospace engineering student at an Australian university seeking career advice. I am currently 22 and will be 24 when I graduate. As it stands, I am looking at committing to a 3 year period of service in the Australian military as an aerospace engineering officer, however my ultimate goal is to complete a PhD and work as a designer (aerodynamicist) in Europe or the States. Another attractive option is to complete a PhD then work at Defence Science and Technology Organisation as a researcher, here in Australia.
Should I join the military, I will be about 30 years old by the time I complete my PhD (3 years military service, then approximately another 3 years of study for the PhD). From the experience of other forum members, I was wondering whether it would be difficult to pursue a design job at this age? Do most large companies like to recruit younger applicants?
The role of an aerospace engineer in the Australian military is, for the most part, in the field of maintenance. Whilst maintenance is a very rewarding and interesting career for many engineers, I really do want to pursue a career in design. Accordingly, I want to join the defence force more for the broader military experience (read: adventure) rather than the engineering opportunities it presents.
I am currently quite a good student and am not concerned about the financial strain presented by studying a PhD between the ages of 27 and 30. I have an enormous passion for aviation/aerospace and am not swayed toward any particular career path because of financial gain.
My question again, if I only complete a PhD at 30 will my age be disadvantageous in pursuing an aerospace design role in Europe or the States?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I am a third year Bachelor of Aerospace engineering student at an Australian university seeking career advice. I am currently 22 and will be 24 when I graduate. As it stands, I am looking at committing to a 3 year period of service in the Australian military as an aerospace engineering officer, however my ultimate goal is to complete a PhD and work as a designer (aerodynamicist) in Europe or the States. Another attractive option is to complete a PhD then work at Defence Science and Technology Organisation as a researcher, here in Australia.
Should I join the military, I will be about 30 years old by the time I complete my PhD (3 years military service, then approximately another 3 years of study for the PhD). From the experience of other forum members, I was wondering whether it would be difficult to pursue a design job at this age? Do most large companies like to recruit younger applicants?
The role of an aerospace engineer in the Australian military is, for the most part, in the field of maintenance. Whilst maintenance is a very rewarding and interesting career for many engineers, I really do want to pursue a career in design. Accordingly, I want to join the defence force more for the broader military experience (read: adventure) rather than the engineering opportunities it presents.
I am currently quite a good student and am not concerned about the financial strain presented by studying a PhD between the ages of 27 and 30. I have an enormous passion for aviation/aerospace and am not swayed toward any particular career path because of financial gain.
My question again, if I only complete a PhD at 30 will my age be disadvantageous in pursuing an aerospace design role in Europe or the States?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.