Academic Advice from Aerospace Professionals

  • Context: Programs 
  • Thread starter Thread starter april-slawson
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Academic Aerospace
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on academic and career advice for pursuing a career in the aerospace industry, particularly from the perspective of someone transitioning from a physics background to electrical engineering (EE). Participants explore the implications of degree choices, potential career paths, and the challenges of entering the aerospace field.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to major in EE and questions whether a Bachelor's in EE would be sufficient for a career in aerospace.
  • Another participant notes that many jobs in aerospace are available for EE graduates, particularly in avionics, suggesting that staying with EE may be beneficial.
  • Some participants caution that switching to aerospace engineering for a master's degree would require significant additional coursework not covered in a typical EE curriculum.
  • Concerns are raised about the job market for aerospace positions, particularly for someone entering the field at an older age without prior experience, suggesting that lower-level qualifications might be necessary to gain entry into the industry.
  • One participant emphasizes the cyclical nature of the aerospace industry, indicating that job availability can vary significantly over time.
  • A participant requests clarification on what constitutes "lower level qualifications" as suggested by others, seeking practical advice on how to improve job prospects.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of support for pursuing an EE degree while also highlighting potential challenges in entering the aerospace industry, particularly regarding age and experience. There is no consensus on the best path forward, as opinions vary on the feasibility of transitioning to aerospace engineering and the job market's accessibility.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the importance of prior experience and qualifications, as well as the need for potential additional coursework if switching fields. The discussion reflects uncertainty about the job market and the impact of age on employability in aerospace.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering a career in aerospace engineering, particularly those transitioning from other fields or with non-traditional educational backgrounds, may find this discussion relevant.

april-slawson
I want a career in the Aerospace Industry. My original major was Physics, and after my first year of a three-year community college degree, I have learned much more about what different degree's lead to what jobs. I am a solid A student, English, Geography, Computer Science, and Mathematics are subjects I have taken so far. I want to stay in my current city due to family obligations, and the University here offers EE and ME.

I think that I want to major in EE, even though that will take me six years in all to graduate. It seems it will be the most stimulating and rewarding for my interests. I like to work hard, I like to build things, and I enjoy mathematics. I haven't had the opportunity to take physics in college yet. I am 25 years old, I took seven years off to work minimum wage jobs, and spent the last three semesters catching up to where incoming Freshman start at since my high school only offered up to Pre-calc.

1. Will I be able to pursue a career in the Aerospace Industry with a Bachelor's In Electrical Engineering?

2. (Opinions) Would it be beneficial to pursue a Masters in Science in Physics after earning an EE? Can I pursue a Masters in Aerospace Engineering after obtaining an EE?

Reference https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/the-should-i-become-an-engineer-thread.15898/page-54
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
There are a great number of subjects in Aeronautical Engineering that would not be in the normal EE curriculum, so switching to aero for a masters would require a lot of catching up. There are a lot of jobs for EE in aerospace because of the large amount of avionics in modern planes. So you might want to consider staying with EE if you go on for a masters. My recommendation is to decide if you are more interested in the EE subjects or Aero subjects and go into that as soon as practical. The longer you wait the harder it will be to switch.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: april-slawson
working in the aerospace industry with an EE degree is not hard to do, 1/3 of the engineers I know in aerospace are EE's...
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: april-slawson and FactChecker
Sorry but a reality check is needed here .

The chances of you getting a graduate entry job in the aerospace industry when you eventually complete your degree are not very good .

At 30 + with no employment history , no experience and commonplace qualifications you might even have difficulty finding any job at all .

Best bet as things stand is for you to get some lower level qualifications quickly and then take a technician level or even a low skill level job in the industry and work up your qualifications and job status from there .
 
Last edited:
The aerospace industry is notoriously cyclical. There are times when it will be very hard to get a job and other times when it will be relatively easy.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: april-slawson
Nidum said:
Sorry but a reality check is needed here.

The chances of you getting a graduate entry job in the aerospace industry when you eventually complete your degree are not very good.

At 30 + with no employment history, no experience, and commonplace qualifications you might even have difficulty finding any job at all.

Best bet as things stand is for you to get some lower level qualifications quickly and then take a technician level or even a low skill level job in the industry and work up your qualifications and job status from there.

You mentioned "lower level qualifications," can you expand on what would fall under that for me?
Thank you for your reply and practical advice
 

Similar threads

Other Finding a research topic in the Aerospace field
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Summer 2024 Internship in Aerospace Engineering in Europe
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Ideas for a research project for my Aerospace dissertation?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Most Fundamental or Important Class for Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Programs Looking for Computer Engineering advice (going into 8th grade next year)
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
2K
Courses Double degree in APhys and Materials Science Eng. or BS/MS in MechE?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Other Master's degree advice to work in the Space Industry
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Finding Your Path to the Aerospace Engineering Industry
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Can I pursue an MS in astrophysics with a BS in studio art?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Programs Is a Physics BA a good route for exciting CS/Engineering Work?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K