What engineering major revolving around space should I choos

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    Engineering Major Space
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the choice of an engineering major related to space and technology, particularly focusing on the interests of a high school freshman. Participants explore various fields, including aerospace engineering, and consider the implications of personal interests and misconceptions about the profession.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a strong interest in space and technology but is uncertain about pursuing aerospace engineering due to a lack of interest in flying.
  • Another participant clarifies that becoming an aerospace engineer does not require being a pilot or undergoing astronaut training, addressing misconceptions about the field.
  • A participant suggests that the original poster might prefer a broader major that allows for innovation and exploration beyond just rockets, such as mechanical or electrical engineering.
  • There is a recommendation for the original poster to pursue a broad mathematics program in undergraduate studies, implying that interests may become clearer over time.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of exploring various disciplines before making a decision, suggesting that there are many options available that may align with the original poster's interests.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that aerospace engineering is not solely about flying and that there are other relevant fields. However, there is no consensus on which major would be the best fit for the original poster's interests, leading to multiple competing views on the matter.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that the original poster may not have fully explored all available disciplines, indicating a limitation in their current understanding of the field options.

Who May Find This Useful

High school students interested in engineering, particularly those focused on space and technology, as well as individuals considering various engineering disciplines.

Tanklesstree
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I'm a freshman in high school (i know I'm young) but I have a driving interest in space and technology i like to work with my hands and or computer so I thought it would be a good idea to study areospace engineering but I rethought and decided I don't really like the idea of flying I just like space and tech, you know like a space elevator or project that will revolutionize the world, I want to create something different from what the world has seen, I'm always interested in the latest tech and I want to be a part of a group with the challenge to build that, revolving around space and tech,but I don't know if aerospace engineering and working for NASA or another major will be a good fit for my personality.
 
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Tanklesstree said:
I'm a freshman in high school (i know I'm young) but I have a driving interest in space and technology i like to work with my hands and or computer so I thought it would be a good idea to study areospace engineering but I rethought and decided I don't really like the idea of flying I just like space and tech, you know like a space elevator or project that will revolutionize the world, I want to create something different from what the world has seen, I'm always interested in the latest tech and I want to be a part of a group with the challenge to build that, revolving around space and tech,but I don't know if aerospace engineering and working for NASA or another major will be a good fit for my personality.
I think you are laboring under some misconceptions about aerospace engineering.

You do not need to be a pilot or know how to fly to become an aerospace engineer.

If you have a phobia about flying, that's something you must address in another manner (and avoidance is not always a good way to deal with such problems).

Similarly, if you want to get a job as an engineer working at NASA or the ESA, you do not have to undergo astronaut training or go into space.
 
SteamKing said:
I think you are laboring under some misconceptions about aerospace engineering.

You do not need to be a pilot or know how to fly to become an aerospace engineer.

If you have a phobia about flying, that's something you must address in another manner (and avoidance is not always a good way to deal with such problems).

Similarly, if you want to get a job as an engineer working at NASA or the ESA, you do not have to undergo astronaut training or go into space.
I know that, what I meant to say was the concept of flying. I know I don't have to be a pilot but the I like the space part about the major more than the fact that I'm learning to make a rocket fly, it still interests me but I was just wondering if there was a better major related to space and tech but not all about rockets if u know what I mean. And one where I can innovate, and change the world. But I'm guessing that aerospace engineers do that too at nasa, building new kinds of rockets
 
Find a good broad mathematics programme for your undergrad and what you actually want to do will probably bonk you on the head somewhere along the way of 3/4 gruelling years.
 
Tanklesstree said:
I know that, what I meant to say was the concept of flying. I know I don't have to be a pilot but the I like the space part about the major more than the fact that I'm learning to make a rocket fly, it still interests me but I was just wondering if there was a better major related to space and tech but not all about rockets if u know what I mean. And one where I can innovate, and change the world. But I'm guessing that aerospace engineers do that too at nasa, building new kinds of rockets

I would say your best bets are mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or aerospace engineering, depending on what you want to do.
 
Tanklesstree said:
I know that, what I meant to say was the concept of flying. I know I don't have to be a pilot but the I like the space part about the major more than the fact that I'm learning to make a rocket fly, it still interests me but I was just wondering if there was a better major related to space and tech but not all about rockets if u know what I mean. And one where I can innovate, and change the world. But I'm guessing that aerospace engineers do that too at nasa, building new kinds of rockets

My advice to you is that you choose a BROAD, more generalized area, rather than focusing way too much way too early. Based on my unscientific poll of members of this forum, there is a very good chance that you will end up in the field that you envisioned for yourself at this stage of your life. Read this:

https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/career-poll-2.667559/

I will also say that you haven't done enough "window shopping" yet at your age. There's a whole world of various different disciplines out there that you haven't even heard of. Why put on blinders now? You should, instead, look far and wide at what is available out there.

Zz.
 

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