I have been set on majoring in aerospace engineering but I keep hearing about how it’s hard to find a job with that degree because it’s too specialized. People have told me to go ME or EE instead and try to get a job in the aerospace industry that way. But then I have also heard that ME and AE are pretty much interchangeable. Can someone provide me some insight on this topic, please?
You have to decide if you want to be in the aerospace industry or if you want to be an aerospace engineer.
You can work in the industry with LOTS of different degrees, even civil ( @HPuck35 ). If however you want to truly be an aerospace engineer, and do meaningful work, you’ll likely want an advanced AE degree. You can do that with an undergrad in ME ( @boneh3ad ) or AE.
I have a kid majoring in art. The job prospects for that degree are way lower than aerospace engineering! Sometimes you have to major in what you are passionate about.
The advice above to decide if you want to be an aerospace engineer or just work somewhere where aerospace-related work happens is a good one. If you could be happy as any kind of engineer, may as well major in the more generally applicable degree. But, your work will be somewhat different. Aerospace is a cyclical field and it’s hard to say whether it will be “up” or “down” four or five years from now when you finish your undergrad degree.
@AroundHere I have considered pursuing ME as an alternative but the aerospace industry is where I would like to work the most. Some people tell me it’s easier to get a job in aerospace as an ME than it is to get one outside of it as an AE. But then I have also had people tell me the 2 degrees are interchangeable.
There are a lot of mechanical engineering programs that offer a track or concentration in aerospace along the way. For example, CalTech has this. If your college does not, you’d still have some time to talk to students and academic and career advising before making your final choice. I think the first intro courses would be the same for both ME and aerospace majors.
Engineering degrees are not completely interchangeable, but there is a lot of overlap.
Again, in the industry, or as an AE. It’s not the same. Which do you want? Thing is…you might not even know right now, and that’s perfectly fine.
My son is a ME and he’s worked in the aerospace industry, just not as an AE. He did mechanical engineering for an aerospace contractor.
The safest route is to get an ME undergrad and if you become very passionate about the subfield of aerospace engineering, get a graduate degree.
On the practical side, you’ll have FAR more schools to choose from if you choose ME.
@eyemgh I know I want to work on aircraft/spacecraft (preferably for a defense company). I’m just not sure which aspect of them yet, as of now propulsion or anything involving the engines is what I would lean towards. The only reason I’m worried is that an AE degree doesn’t have as many fallback options as an ME degree.
@asin26 I think the notion that AE degrees can’t land you ME jobs is a bit of a myth. This is anecdotal (so take it with a grain of salt) but I currently work at an office furniture company and a few of my coworkers actually graduated with an AE degree. Most recruiters/employers realize that aerospace and mechanical engineering share a lot of overlap.
Echoing other posters if you want to work in the aerospace/defense industry then you can be *almost any kind of Engineering. If you want to work specifically on the airframe, aerodynamics and other “aircraft” specific parts only then aerospace engineering might be for you. If it’s just the industry then find a degree you’re passionate in. Aero E is much more limited than Mech E. I would do Mech E myself.
Aerospace and mechanical engineering are closely enough related that they are housed in the same department at my university (and others). They’re the same basic science (mechanics) with different examples.
An aerospace degree is, whether technically warranted or not, going to be slightly more restrictive on your initial career path. That said, if you are 100% dead set on working in aerospace, why does that matter?
My son also pursuing Aerospace, and I made a same warning to him as a father at first…
But in reality, it’s OK… SOME fields in AE, ME, CE, and even naval architecture majors are compatible enough to jump into the next (structure and materials as per my experience). For example, I am a structural engineer in Offshore Oil and Gas, and my team of engineers came from those fields, and they are all doing equally great.
You will always find a way if you pursue what you love and never give-up. Good luck!
@RForrestR Thank you!