Are Engineering Professors Conducting Research and How Can I Get Involved?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the involvement of engineering students in faculty research, specifically within the context of aerospace engineering. Participants explore whether engineering professors conduct research, how students can secure research positions, and the potential benefits of such positions for future academic and career opportunities.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that engineering students, like physics undergraduates, should seek out research opportunities with faculty members.
  • There is a mention of a successful case where an aerospace engineering student conducted research in plasma propulsion, leading to a graduate position in nuclear engineering.
  • Concerns are raised about the original poster's lack of awareness regarding engineering professors conducting research, implying potential issues with their current academic environment or engagement.
  • A participant notes they are transferring to a research university, indicating a belief that this will enhance their opportunities for research involvement.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of certainty about the availability of research opportunities in engineering. While some affirm that engineering professors do conduct research, others highlight the need for the original poster to be more engaged in their department to find such opportunities. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the best approach for securing research positions.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the original poster's uncertainty about their current academic environment and the implications of transferring to a new institution. There are also unresolved questions about the specific processes for getting involved in research as an engineering student.

Who May Find This Useful

Engineering students considering research opportunities, those interested in the relationship between academic research and industry, and individuals exploring pathways to graduate education in engineering may find this discussion relevant.

Angry Citizen
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I'm an aerospace engineering student, and I'd like some information from fellow or former engineering students about, well, being an engineering student. I know engineers tend to do summer internships to gain experience.. but I also understand that physics undergrads try to involve themselves in faculty research. Do engineering students do the same thing? Do engineering professors even conduct research? If so, how do I go about securing a research position? And is such a research position useful during job searches and for intellectual fulfillment?

I'd just like to establish a game plan here so I can maximize my educational experience. I'm interested in certain theoretical aspects of my field (notably plasma propulsion and fluid flow modeling), so I'm hoping I can find something to do in that area.
 
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Do you plan on going to grad school after or go straight into industry?
 
I'm not sure. Probably grad school.
 
A good friend of mine was an aerospace undergrad who did research in plasma propulsion, actually. He's now a nuclear engineering grad student and his group just got a government grant for plasma propulsions, so yes it definitely happens.

The only thing that worries me is that you didn't know that engineering professors did research. Either your school is not a research university or you're not really involved in your department at all, neither or which is great for your chances of actually finding and getting a research position.
 
A good friend of mine was an aerospace undergrad who did research in plasma propulsion, actually. He's now a nuclear engineering grad student and his group just got a government grant for plasma propulsions, so yes it definitely happens.

The only thing that worries me is that you didn't know that engineering professors did research. Either your school is not a research university or you're not really involved in your department at all, neither or which is great for your chances of actually finding and getting a research position.
 
The only thing that worries me is that you didn't know that engineering professors did research. Either your school is not a research university or you're not really involved in your department at all, neither or which is great for your chances of actually finding and getting a research position.

Well, I'm not actually at the school yet. I'm transferring to Texas A&M from a community college, and it's definitely a research university.
 

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