<p>I get the impression that AE undergrads can go into a job after graduating, build experience and work their way up in rank/salary with time. Of course, theres the option of pursuing a MS or PhD to become more specialized and earn a higher level first job, but at the cost of losing years of work(job) experience.</p>
<p>Can anyone comment on this? That is, the validity of either of these statements. Is AE really a degree where working out of undergrad and never earning a MS/PhD acceptable? Especially in terms of your salary.</p>
<p>From what I've heard, unless you want to go into management or start your own engineering firm, only a Bachelor's may be an advantage. Once you get into the higher degrees, it's even more theory--which takes you towards the field of academia. Having real engineering work experience may be looked at more highly.</p>
<p>On the other hand, getting an MBA after your engineering degree will put you into the management track. You can get too specialized with earning a Master's and PhD, making it more difficult to get hired. An aerospace engineering degree is already more specialized than a mechanical engineering degree, for example. It may be more worth your while to figure out what type of work you want to do, get a job, gain some experience, and re-consider grad school if you think it could help your career (and, many employers will pay for it).</p>
<p>Much more opening up in the private sector, though. But yeah, a lot of the companies (big, reputable companies, too... not just the little ones!) that I interviewed with were in complete and utter denial about the fact that the shuttle program was going to end, and that funding was going to be cut. When I asked them how they were going to reorganize after the shutdown, they were like, "The president said we're going to the moon."</p>
<p>Yes, I think it will rebound. Just based on history, the aerospace industry is very cyclical by nature. It varies with the economy, the amount of government spending (NASA), and the number of start-up companies, etc. It goes up and down a little bit every few years or so. But, I wouldn't worry. Even with the industry down, if you are applying now or soon, you may just have to put more time and effort into the search. There are always jobs available. Also, if you are willing to expand your search criteria to a company that isn't a complete match, or something in a related industry, even more opportunities arise.</p>
<p>If you search for 'cyclical aerospace industry' online, you can find out more information about what I'm talking about.</p>
<p>Aeronautical has to do with aircraft, and Aerospace (or astro) has to do with spacecraft. Some schools distinguish between the two with different degree names, and some schools (like mine) call the degree an Aerospace Engineering degree, and have an area of concentration. It's a difference of maybe 6 or so classes here (last two years of the four year degree vary from aero to space track).</p>
<p>why not just become an officer in the air force? its kinf od competitive, but they treat you well and match your job to your degree (usually). But yu can get it written in a contract from what i understand.</p>
<p>This thread has definitley been a serious blow for me...If theres such a job crunch for US citizens, what will happen to us internationals graduating in AE??As i know there are close to non job opportunities for intels as of now.....and someones suggesting that the situation is about to worsen....<almost weeping=""></almost></p>
<p>if you are an international, why are you doing AE in the first place? 0____0;</p>
<p>I'm a permanent resident, and even then, there's serious limit on aerospace companies you can apply for.</p>
<p>I couldn't even submit my resume to Boeing, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman during on-campus recruiting.</p>
<p>(it seems Boeing does have jobs which does not require citizenship if you go to their website though... but they required one when they did oncampus interviews)</p>
<p>that pretty much left me with only Lockheed and United Technologies. And even then, there are limited number of jobs available for non-citizens.... but i'm just telling you, you don't have much companies to choose from, and if you get rejected by Lockheed, what then?</p>
<p>it seems automobile industry is no better right now... only Toyota ever came to my school to hire MEs. what's funny is that GM only came to hire ECEs.</p>
<p>
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if you are an international, why are you doing AE in the first place?
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</p>
<p>Maybe they <em>wanted</em> to study aerospace engineering...?</p>
<p>I dunno, dude. Talk to your professors... I'm sure they've seen plenty of international students, and that they've seen where some of them have ended up working.</p>
<p>im just saying, if i were him, i would have done ME instead of AE, since, at least in my opinion, ME degree provides as much opportunity as AE to enter aerospace industry.
if that didn't work out, ME ppl can still apply for other jobs in ME field.</p>
<p>;) Well, I'm not saying it was the <em>safest</em> of routes...!
But yeah, there are plenty of avenues into aerospace engineering without restricting yourself with an aerospace engineering degree. Mech, structures, elec... all good degrees for aerospace applications.</p>
<p>If, however, you're stuck with aerospace engineering, my best recommendation is to get your PhD in it and be so instrumental at what you do that Uncle Sam has no choice but to Werner-Von-Braun you...!</p>