Visiting local engineering companies

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on a high school senior's inquiry about visiting local engineering companies to gain insight into the engineering work environment, particularly in the field of Aerospace Engineering. Participants explore the feasibility of such visits and suggest potential contacts within companies.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to understand the engineering workspace and suggests contacting local companies for a visit.
  • Another participant supports the idea, suggesting that companies would likely be open to student visits and recommends impressing them for potential internship opportunities.
  • A different participant reiterates the initial inquiry and advises contacting the Human Resources department for a better chance of arranging a tour and meeting engineers.
  • Another suggestion includes checking with the college the student will attend, as they may have useful industry contacts for work experience.
  • A participant notes the potential benefits of connections between university engineering departments and industry, highlighting opportunities for research and job prospects.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that reaching out to local engineering companies for visits is a good idea, though specific recommendations on whom to contact vary. There is no consensus on the best approach, as different participants suggest different contacts and strategies.

Contextual Notes

Some suggestions depend on the willingness of companies to accommodate student visits, which may vary by organization. The effectiveness of university contacts for industry connections is also not universally established.

Who May Find This Useful

High school students interested in pursuing engineering, particularly in Aerospace Engineering, and those seeking insights into the engineering workplace may find this discussion beneficial.

Johnx014
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I am a high school senior graduating in a couple of weeks. This summer, I'll be starting college on track to complete a degree in Aerospace Engineering. I'm fairly certain engineering is what I want to pursue, but it's still unclear to me what the engineering work space and day-to-day would be like. I had the idea to get in touch with some local companies. Do you think they would be open to letting a student visit and see what they do there? Who would be the best person to contact?

edit: Realizing this may be the wrong thread. My apologies, if it is.
 
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Johnx014 said:
Do you think they would be open to letting a student visit and see what they do there? Who would be the best person to contact?
It's a great idea and I'm sure they'd be willing to show you around. Impress them and they might invite you back for summer work or an internship. Contact the secretary and they can help you.
 
Johnx014 said:
I am a high school senior graduating in a couple of weeks. This summer, I'll be starting college on track to complete a degree in Aerospace Engineering. I'm fairly certain engineering is what I want to pursue, but it's still unclear to me what the engineering work space and day-to-day would be like. I had the idea to get in touch with some local companies. Do you think they would be open to letting a student visit and see what they do there? Who would be the best person to contact?

edit: Realizing this may be the wrong thread. My apologies, if it is.

Contact their Human Resources (HR) department. You have a pretty good shot at getting a brief tour and contact with working engineers.
 
Also, check with the college you are going to attend. They may have some good contacts for work experience for you.

A contact between an engineering department at a university and an industry can be brilliant. It can put money, talent, and curiosity together to produce great research. The result can be lots of good journal articles and lots of advances in some industry. Many people get rich and famous.

At the worst, such contacts are good prospects for jobs. This is true both during our degree, and after you graduate.
 
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