Help for Senior Aerospace Engineering Student - Graduate School & Job Search

[markt11]

Hi,
I'm a senior in Aerospace Engineering at University of Illinois. I wasn't able to get an internship over the summer and am having a hard time finding a job.
I have a 2.9/4.00GPA and most companies won't even call me back for an interview. I've already had my resume reviewed by my the career building office.
I'm sure I can bring it up to above a 3 by the end of this semester but don't know what to do.

If I can't find a job, I might apply for graduate school and see if I can get accepted anywhere. Looking at http://grad-schools.usnews.rankings...te-schools/top-engineering-schools/aerospace", what kind of GPA is Princeton or Univ of Maryland looking for? What other aerospace engineering graduate schools are there for students with below average GPA?

Also, how do I find smaller aerospace companies? I keep applying for jobs at larger companies (Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman) because I can't find smaller companies. Illinois only has a couple of aerospace companies. I don't mind moving away from IL. I'm even willing to do an internship over the next summer. I feel stuck and don't know what else to try.

Thanks

 

[Cyrus]

I'm not going to lie, a 2.9 GPA is very low and you will have a hard time getting into a top graduate school with it.

The reason why you're not getting jobs is because the economy tanked. I've been doing some work with Cessna and the person on the phone told me they had to lay off a lot of people there. So right now is an absolutely horrible time to find a job, especially when they are going to want to hire back the people with experience they had to lay off over hiring someone that's green.

UMD requires a 3.2 minimum, but that doesn't mean you'll be competitive or get in with that GPA. I had a 3.96 back when I applied. There are ways around the low GPA if you do the professional masters and try to switch in, but then whoever picks you up as an advisor will require that you get straight A's to stay on since you are high risk to them.

I will say that if you're only getting a 2.9 as an undergrad, graduate school is going to eat you alive.

Going to grad school because you can't get a job is a very bad reason to go to grad school.

 

[minger]

Agreed. When I was applying for co-ops, many companies typically required a 3.0 for just an interview, most preferred higher. Undergraduate study is tricky because there is a lot of distractions and temptations, but if you want a decent crack at a job or graduate school, you'll want to try and get it up to at least a 3.3.

 

[srvs]

Out of interest, how many hours outside of classes were you studying to achieve such a GPA, Cyrus? (4 is the maximum everywhere, correct?)

 

[Cyrus]

Out of interest, how many hours outside of classes were you studying to achieve such a GPA, Cyrus? (4 is the maximum everywhere, correct?)

The answer is: As many hours as you require. I.e., I am not you and you're not me. Your probably much smarter than me and can do it in half the time. It matters what's right for *you*.