What Engineering Discipline Should You Choose for Your Future?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the exploration of various engineering disciplines, specifically Electrical, Mechanical, and Aerospace Engineering. Participants share their thoughts on job prospects, personal interests, and experiences related to these fields, with a focus on the implications for future career choices.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses interest in Electrical, Mechanical, and Aerospace Engineering, emphasizing a desire to work in defense or national labs rather than traditional automotive roles.
  • Another participant argues that job prospects for Aerospace Engineering graduates are favorable due to a current shortage of aerospace undergraduates and upcoming retirements in the workforce.
  • A participant shares a personal anecdote about securing a summer internship with a top defense contractor, suggesting that opportunities in aerospace are available.
  • Concerns are raised about the perception that Aerospace Engineering jobs are difficult to obtain unless one pursues an academic career, with a participant expressing relief at hearing positive job prospects.
  • There is a discussion about specialization interests, with one participant considering thermal sciences and fluid dynamics, while acknowledging the competitive nature of aerodynamics.
  • A later reply advises caution in taking personal anecdotes as definitive guidance, noting that real-life experiences in engineering can differ from expectations, leading some to switch careers or return to academia.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the job market for Aerospace Engineering, with some asserting that opportunities are plentiful while others convey skepticism based on common perceptions. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the overall job prospects and experiences in the field.

Contextual Notes

Participants' claims about job prospects are based on personal experiences and anecdotal evidence, which may not reflect broader trends or individual circumstances. There are also varying assumptions about the nature of work in different engineering disciplines.

ObHassell
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Okay, so I'm still exploring my college future, so I was wondering if anyone could tell me about various engineering disciplines.

I'm interested in Electrical, Mechanical, and Aerospace Engineering, but if I do mechanical I don't want to work for a car company, I want to do defense organization like Raytheon or go work for a National Lab. I would do aerospace (specifically thermal/propulsion), but all I ever hear is that it's impossible to get a job in Aerospace, even when we aren't in recession. I would also do Electrical, but all I ever hear about those programs is that it's basically a 4 year long tutorial on "how to use this program" and I don't want to do that...I'm more interested in the theory and working with my hands.

All I'm asking for is what are people's opinions on engineering disciplines...I'm not worrying about salary, because I know I'll do fine. What I'm worried about is liking what I do (for instance, optical engineering sounds cool, but once you really look at it, you're building the components for the more common engineering disciplines...I guess I'm more holistic.)

thanx
 
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It really isn't hard to get a job as an Aerospace Engineer graduate, especially if you go to a decent school. Actually, it should probably be easier as there is a definite shortage in the number of aerospace undergraduates at the moment and the soon exodus of current aerospace employees from the work force due to retirement.

I already have lined up a summer internship with one of the top defense contractors, could have gone with another one as well actually, and still waiting on some others. They seem to be doing quite fine, I'm sure.
 
WOW...thank you SO much for giving me a real story of the job prospects! Collegeboard said that Aerospace engineering should be increasing at the normal rate, but all I've ever heard was that if you don't want to do academics, it's impossible to get a job. Thank you for giving me some good news! I'm going to the University of Arizona...not the best...but definitely not the worst. I don't think I'd be bad, I'm very smart and am very good at science and math...that's why I would like to specialize in thermal sciences...maybe even fluid dynamics...that sounds alright, but I would imagine everyone would be trying to do aerodynamics because it sounds so much cooler...and you can really see your work (the body of the plane I mean)
 
Lol, much to learn about life young kimosabi.
 
ObHassell said:
WOW...thank you SO much for giving me a real story of the job prospects! Collegeboard said that Aerospace engineering should be increasing at the normal rate, but all I've ever heard was that if you don't want to do academics, it's impossible to get a job. Thank you for giving me some good news! I'm going to the University of Arizona...not the best...but definitely not the worst. I don't think I'd be bad, I'm very smart and am very good at science and math...that's why I would like to specialize in thermal sciences...maybe even fluid dynamics...that sounds alright, but I would imagine everyone would be trying to do aerodynamics because it sounds so much cooler...and you can really see your work (the body of the plane I mean)


Well, take all personal/anecdotal advice with a grain of salt (including mine), but yeah, there are definitely prospects out there!


I'm also very interested in the propulsion side of things...my classes are quite interesting. Are you looking more for the space or atmospheric side of aerospace?

I'll also like to point out that real life work doesn't always seem all cracked up like it's supposed to be. I know of several aerospace engineers (And engineers in general) go into what they thought would be their ideal companies only to find out that it is a disappointment, so they switch to a different career/go back to academia.
 

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