<p>So, as I approach my senior year as an AE major at Wichita State, it's time for me to choose my electives. So far, my favorite subject is aerodynamics, and I completely despise structures. This is, in a sense, good, since my biggest dream (and almost impossible to achieve) is to be an aerodynamic engineer for a Formula 1 or other Motorsports teams. My question is, in the likely case I don't get a job working with race cars, are there enough aerodynamic positions in the aerospace industry? Should I take most, or all of my electives in the aerodynamics area? I know I should do what I like to do, but I also want to be able to get a job. I would also try to get a master in aerodynamics, if that makes any difference.</p>
<p>Anyway, any input would be great! Thanks</p>
<p>Hey ecjuventude1913. As a fellow AE student and one with interests in fluid dynamics/aerodynamics as you, I believe you should take courses on things you either are passionate about, such as aerodynamics in your case, or things that might be helpful. Given that, I would at first glance tell you to take most of your electives in aerodynamics and see if there are any other little topics you might like to learn about that might help you, like programming or mathematics. </p>
<p>In terms of a job, from what I know, most aerospace companies, as you can imagine, need aerodynamicists. NASA and other government agencies who do aerospace work need aerodynamicists as well. I think you should be alright, but you may want to try talking to some professors who focus on aerodynamics to get a better picture, and even just google “Aerodynamicist Jobs” or something like that. </p>
<p>Hope I said some things that might be helpful!</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply! The only thing I am concerned about is whether to take all electives in aerodynamics( including cfd) or take some electives on finite elements and programming, for instance. They would be important, but im not sure how much i would enjoy those classes</p>
<p>No problem! Well, the thing is programming can be self taught to a good extent due to many places online where you can get help.Given that, you could just take time to try to learn MATLAB or Java or C++. Also, just so you know, the finite element method can be applied to CFD. But honestly, if you did any of those it would be good. </p>
<p>However, i would recommend taking majority aero/fluid dynamics courses and consider doing a programming class or something. Programming is a valuable skill to have, especially if you want to learn CFD or numerical methods like finite element methods down the road. What year are you? How many electives will you be ale to take?</p>
<p>Hey aerokid, sorry for the delay in answering. I can take 4 electives, but one of them is going to be a Matlab class. I am thinking about CFD, intermediate aerodynamics and Finite elements. I’m a senior, but I am gonna be a 5th year senior, so there is plenty of time to take them. My biggest concern right now is whether I am gonna be able to get a job or not when I’m done. I am from Brazil, and I would like to get a job here, which seems really difficult. If i take those classes, is it possible to get a job working with CFD in an area other than aerospace engineering, in case i can’t get a job in that area, or that limits me?
Thanks again</p>
<p>No problem! And since I am passionate about all those things you listed I would say do them. CFD is used outside of aerospace. They use it for developing cars, boats, games, movies, aid in advancement of our understanding of fluids and I am sure there are many other areas. However, you should message me with courses you have taken and a little bit of your interests.</p>
<p>CFD is definitelyt used a lot outside of aerospace industries. You can even find common applications in biomedical engineering that use CFD (i.e in blood flow). </p>
<p>Have you searched what job opportunities are available in Brazil? What majors are in demand? Specifically, what specific areas within that major are in demand? Once you find out that information, you can narrow your interests and focus your electives on those areas. Don’t paint yourself in the corner though as that may limit you from other options.</p>
<p>Ideally, majoring in mechanical engineering would’ve given you more opportunities to explore, but less focused. AE is more of a sub-major of ME. You will see tons of ME majors finding AE-related jobs, but vise versa is not as common. That’s not to say you won’t be able to find a job outside of the AE field though. If I were you, I’d definitely do some hunting at your desired location and pick a few job areas that sound interesting and focus your electives on those areas. You should definitely take the MATLAB class, it’s arguably the most common programming language used in engineering industries, regardless of the area.</p>
<p>Alright, my laptop broke again, sorry once more for the delay on replying. First off, I would really like to stay in the USA for 5-10 years after I graduate, so I am trying to find a way to take classes I enjoy and at the same time have job prospects here. In Brazil, with an aerospace engineering degree, i can virtually do anything, since we have just 1 school that offers the major, and Embraer and Helibras need more engineers than Brazil can supply. CFD is an area that is really interesting, specially combined with aerodynamics. Plus, it opens possibilities to get jobs in areas other than the aeronautical, in case things go wrong, so I don’t end up sleeping in my parents’ couch. Matlab I am gonna take for sure, CFD as well, and I am almost sure i will take FEA. That leaves one more elective for me to choose. I am leaning towards composites. Thanks for the help so far!</p>
<p>Why FEA?</p>
<p>Composites is a good choice from the materials aspect.</p>
<p>FEA is valuable to learn. It is prevalent to fluid problems, but finite volume is used ore so due to conserving quantities. However, it is very valuable for solving linear problems, especially boundary value problems, and has been found to be very good for structures and thermal problems.</p>
<p>Also, I would believe CFDhas some decent job prospects. Another area is controls/dynamics. You can get a job with almost any place doing that!</p>
<p>Hmm, never thought about controls/dynamics. It is pretty interesting as well. Yeah, I’m kinda set on CFD, composites and FEA, and now I might add an elective in controls. In an unrelated question, does anyone knows how much having research done as an undergrad impact on chances of getting a job, or is only benefitial for grad school? Thanks for all the replies!</p>
<p>Well have fun with those man! I feel like research will look alright to companies, but I think it is more useful towards grad school. I would imagine companies might prefer actual internship experience since I would imagine it shows you have a clue how industry works, while you won’t really know that (usually) in a research environment.</p>
<p>Yeah, that’s what i thought. I have one summer internship already, and I am trying to get another one, to boost the resume. Thanks for the help</p>