What should I study of Aerospace Engineer and applied physics

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the educational paths for a career in the aerospace industry, specifically comparing the merits of pursuing a PhD in Applied Physics versus a PhD in Aerospace Engineering, alongside the potential benefits of obtaining a Master's degree in either field. Participants explore the implications of these choices on career prospects, job stability, and salary expectations.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that a Master's degree may be more beneficial than a PhD, depending on the specific career path within aerospace.
  • There are claims that a PhD in Aerospace Engineering might limit job opportunities due to the narrow focus of the field.
  • Others argue that a PhD could be advantageous for research positions, particularly in institutions like JPL or ESA.
  • Concerns are raised about the financial implications of pursuing a PhD versus a Master's, with some suggesting that higher degrees do not necessarily correlate with significantly higher salaries in aerospace.
  • Some participants emphasize the importance of deciding whether one wants to be an engineer or a scientist, which could influence the choice of degree.
  • There is a discussion about the relevance of Applied Physics and Computing+Mathematics for careers in aerospace, with varying opinions on which might be more beneficial.
  • One participant notes the importance of geographical considerations, such as job availability in Spain versus the USA, and the need for language skills in different countries.
  • Another participant highlights that high pay often comes with managerial responsibilities, which may not appeal to everyone.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on the value of different degrees and their impact on career prospects in aerospace. There is no clear consensus on whether a PhD or a Master's is preferable, nor on the best field of study for future job security and salary potential.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention varying job markets and educational focuses in different countries, which may affect the applicability of their advice. The discussion also reflects uncertainty regarding the long-term value of specific degrees in a rapidly evolving industry.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering a career in aerospace engineering or applied physics, particularly those interested in the educational pathways and job market dynamics within these fields.

Willelm
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[[Moderators note: several similar threads have been merged]]

I want to work in the aerospace Industry as someone important and successful, like the administrator of NASA. As I'm 15 years old I'm thinking about my future careers and after a long while, I know that I want to study more than 1 career. What do you think is best, a PhD in Applied Physics and a Master in Aerospace engineering, or a PhD in Aerospace engineering and a Master in Applied Physics?
 
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You got some very good advice two days ago (back when you were 17), for example:

Alcathous said:
I agree with others who say to focus on the next one or two years

That advice is as good today as it was then.
 
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Vanadium 5post: 5207055 said:
You got some very good advice two days ago (back when you were 17), for example:
That advice is as good today as it was then.
Yap I know, but in this case I'm not defining this as about my skills and age, but about the future prospect of that, what is better and all of that. And what selection is better for the Space Industry and more well paid. Thanks for your anwsers.
 
I had read in many posts that maybe is better a master than a PhD, but mainly it depends in the career. So, the question is that, with a PhD in Aerospace engineering you earn more money than with a Master, and if yes, how much more? Becouse if not, maybe I think is better to study a Master in Aerospace engineering and then a PhD in Applied Physics. Thanks for your anwsers. I'm very good at logic.
 
A PhD is an academic degree. In academics new technologies and engineering techniques are developed. But universities don't design planes. If you want to work as some research institute that develops new technologies or does fundamental research into engineering principles, linking the academic world of applied physics with the engineering world of industry MSc, then maybe you should get a PhD in Aero Eng. Say you want to work at the JPL or at ESA or at a university.If you are going to build airplanes in industry, something you can only learn inside said company, why do you need a PhD in applied physics?

Earn more money? Oh, do not open that Pandora's box.
If you want to make as much money as possible, don't go into STEM.
 
Willelm said:
I had read in many posts that maybe (it) is better (to achieve) a master than a PhD, but mainly it depends in the career.
From what I have herd from professionals in that area of science, Aerospace is a very narrow field area. It is a hard area of science to get into as there is a high demand but not enough jobs to fill. For this reason a masters degree is very useful in giving you that extra qualification. However most people assume that with a PhD in Aerospace, it will be easier to find a job as you would have even more qualifications; however this is not the case in the Aerospace industry. Since Aerospace is such a narrow field, a PhD is not advisable because it only limits your skill set even more and actually makes it even more difficult to find a job at the end of the day.
 
You need to make up your mind about if you are an engineer or a scientist. You earn your MSc in that field. Then you get a PhD position to appeals to you the most, at that point. It will be clearer what kinds of problems you'll want to work on at that point.

You can probably get the same job anyway, MSc or PhD, when it comes to AeroEng.
 
Okay
Dr.Physics said:
From what I have herd from professionals in that area of science, Aerospace is a very narrow field area. It is a hard area of science to get into as there is a high demand but not enough jobs to fill. For this reason a masters degree is very useful in giving you that extra qualification. However most people assume that with a PhD in Aerospace, it will be easier to find a job as you would have even more qualifications; however this is not the case in the Aerospace industry. Since Aerospace is such a narrow field, a PhD is not advisable because it only limits your skill set even more and actually makes it even more difficult to find a job at the end of the day.
Ok thanks for your anwsers. This means that a PhD in Aerospace engineering is not advisable so then, I'm talking about earn with the master of this field, a PhD in Applied Physics. Is Applied Physics also good to work in the Aerospace Industry? Would be better a Computing+Mathematics PhD?
 
Not advisable for what? For earnings?

There's many different problems that need to be solved both scientifically and engineering-wise. Some are general, others are niche.

If all you know now is that you want to work in the aerospace industry, then AeroEng is the way to go. If you want to do research in that field, you can always get a PhD in that area. Otherwise, you can get an industry job with an MSc.

There's people scientists in (applied) physics that are needed in the research that is associated with aerospace. Computing or mathematics, even more niche, in areospace.

If you want the biggest salary, running a hedge-fund or selling the company you created are the ways to go. Maybe think about a law or (quant.) economics degree in that case.
 
  • #10
What's better to work into the Aerospace Industry, study Applied Physics or Mathematics+Computing Sciences?, all those at a graduate level (you know, PhD). And if you can, please tell me what is more well-paid. As always thanks for your anwsers.
 
  • #11
Let's put pay aside for a minute.

What do you mean by "better"? Job stability? Working conditions? Interesting work (whatever that might mean)?
 
  • #12
Willelm, you ask the same question over and over and over and over. It's disrespectful. It's also unlikely that the answer will change after one day. You are either 15 or 17 - you seem to oscillate between the two - so it's way premature to worry about your exact path through graduate school. You need to be focusing on the tasks at hand.
 
  • #13
Vanadium 50 said:
Willelm, you ask the same question over and over and over and over. It's disrespectful. It's also unlikely that the answer will change after one day. You are either 15 or 17 - you seem to oscillate between the two - so it's way premature to worry about your exact path through graduate school. You need to be focusing on the tasks at hand.
Sorry. I didin't want anyone to be angry with me. Also there is a problem, I'm spanish and some answers are difficult to me. But Ok, I know that the answer will change, but I only want to know what career of them is more well-paid. An nowadays anyone had answer me. Is not a subjective question. I don't care about if at the end, at 20 years or like that I will choose the worst career and worst paid. I Only want to know what career of them has more future in the next 20 years and, today, what is more well paid and related to the space Industry. Thanks.
 
  • #14
Most people here will assume you are American if you do not mention your country. Different countries have different industry focus.

Boeing and Airbus are the two major aerospace companies. Does Airbus have plants in Spain? Or are you willing to move to France (meaning you learn to speak Fluent French). How easy and convenient it is to get a job differs a lot depending on things like this.

I don't know a lot about Spanish industry, and it may not matter if you are willing to move all around Europe and learn either French or German alongside English. But when I think of Spanish high tech I think about solar energy or telecom.
Maybe they actually have a lot of smaller companies that work for Airbus, ESA, BAE, I don't know.Well paid? You think highly educated people with jobs go hungry? Or do you think they will have 5 houses by age 40?

Anyway, you only get high pay as an employee when you are in charge of a lot of people/a lot of budget. So everyone wants that position. And once you get said job, many people find out they don't like the pressure and responsibility that comes with it.
 
  • #15
Ok, thanks for all. Only tell that I would want to work in USA because there is where STEM is more developed. That's why I like people asume I'm American (Yem, I'm a little bit antinathionalist)
 

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