<p>I am transferring to the University of Michigan this winter, and at the moment I am a declared EE major. I have always been intrigued by the aerospace field and have always wanted a career in it. If I lived somewhere near the aerospace industry I would undoubtedly major in aerospace, but Michigan is obviously far from it. </p>
<p>Here is the situation I am in. The first option is to go for the aerospace degree and chase the dream of working for NASA or one of the big aircraft companies, and also commit right now to moving far away (which I do not want to be forced to do). The other direction is to dual major EE and CE. This of course carries the advantage to allow me to live and work in virtually every part of the country, and will give me the opportunity to work for just about anyone.</p>
<p>So my question is, are there any concentrations of aerospace engineering that have a focus on electrical engineering? Is it possible to dual major the two (seems unlikely)? I thought I was just about done with trying to do aerospace, but I keep coming back to it. The courses just sound so interesting. It seems like many other industries need aerospace engineers, but I'm sure this is just minimally (anyone concerned about aerodynamics?).</p>
<p>I know I could get a job in the industry as an EE, but if I did that I would be disappointed about not getting the aerospace degree and going all the way with it. I know that electrical engineering is probably the smarter choice, but like I said, aerospace engineering would be my dream degree. It's just hard to let that go. </p>
<p>I was recently talking with my uncle who is a retired engineer for Ford. He told me about a friend who worked for the military side of Boeing. He said that he was often at desert testing grounds and working on aircraft carriers; however, after 17 years of living on the west coast, he has moved back to Michigan.</p>
<p>Can anyone tell me if there is any reason to attempt a dual major of electrical and aerospace engineering? What about a minor in aerospace? Would this benefit me in any way? I know this is a broad question and that I rambled on, but I would really appreciate any feedback on this. I will meet with my advisers in Ann Arbor on January 6, but I want to do my best to know as much about my situation as I can. Thank you.</p>
<p>There are a lot of electronic systems on aircraft so I am sure you would be able to find something in the industry if you played your cards right. Doing a double major with Aero and EE would be academic suicide. Just try to get some internships and connections in the aerospace industry and you should be good to go. From what I have seen AE's mainly work on airframe and engine design, so there are many other areas for other majors to work in.</p>
<p>As said, EE's do work on aircraft... but not dealing with the same things as AeroE's do. So if you want to be working in the airline industry (or with NASA for that matter) yes it is do-able as an EE, just not with the same focus.</p>
<p>BTW, UMich has a top AeroE program... so even if you aren't in the correct region of the US, a degree from there in AeroE wouldn't be wasted.</p>
<p>You can get an EE degree and enter the aerospace industry with no problem.
I don't know if you'd be doing the same work as those with aerospace engineering degrees, but you could still work at the same companies.</p>
<p>Another option is to do EE as your undergrad and aerospace in your graduate studies.</p>
<p>I know for a fact NASA and other aircraft/spacecraft companies hire EEs, MEs, ComputerEs, even Physics and math majors. They need all these people to make the aircraft work because as someone else said it is a complex system. It's possible that you may have to move far away from where you are now, but that is what you will have to decide after you graduate. Do what you're interested in most and rest should take care of itself.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the replies. I do know that I could get a job in the aerospace industry as an EE, but I also wouldn't be focused on the actual stuff related to aerospace (like aerodynamics and propulsion). Over the past few days I have moved farther from the idea of an aerospace major. I do believe Michigan's aerospace program is ranked third in the country for schools with a phd, but I also believe every single engineering discipline at Michigan is in the top 10. (EE around fifth or sixth ???)</p>
<p>I read or heard somewhere that it is difficult to get a good job with a bachelor's in aerospace compared to the more broad degrees, like mechanical or electrical engineering. That it is more necessary to get a master's in aerospace engineering, and that this is not the case for electrical. Can anyone elaborate on this idea? If this is the case, I will stay away from the aerospace degree. </p>
<p>I think this would be my ideal career pathway. Bear with me on the plausibility of this all happening. Get a dual major in electrical and computer engineering. Somehow get a job at a place like Kennedy Space Center (which to me would be by far the coolest location to work in aerospace, or any industry for that matter). Work there for five to ten years and maybe get an MBA and move into management. Move back to Michigan or somewhere closer to home and try to start up a business of some kind with all my experience.</p>
<p>Also, since I am here, can anyone tell me about the usefulness of also getting a computer engineering degree if I go the electrical engineering route? I believe it is only 13 extra credits, so it seems like a no-brainer to me. I think it would give me an good advantage over those with only EE.</p>
<p>Also, I do think the future for electrical engineers will be very bright. It's just that aerospace is well, aerospace. Knowing that James Irwin and Alfred Worden of Apollo 15 got a master's in aeronautical engineering from Michigan makes it hard to not deeply consider it as a major. Before college I knew I either wanted to be a pilot or an engineer. I would really love to pursue this degree.</p>
<p>In the end, I think I want the personal freedom to have a broad choice of where to live and work, instead of being forced to work for a a handful of large companies in select areas of the country.</p>
<p>Go for aerospace engineering if that is where your heart lies. With any sort of engineering degree you will be able to pick and chose where you want to work. Don't even worry about that...</p>
<p>Yes, but isn't aerospace too specialized? I mean, there are not aerospace jobs everywhere in the country. It seems that would be true for electrical engineering, though.</p>
<p>Aero is specialized, but what else can you bring to the table when you graduate and are looking for a job? Internships, part-time meaningful employment and ECs in college are certainly things that prospective employers will look at on your resume when applying for positions. Who knows, the engineering field may change drastically over the next few years--more aero/mechE people may be needed vs EE people. I would go for what you are passionate about--employers will see this!</p>
<p>The biggest problem for me is that I will likely have to move across the country. I am more worried about this than actually getting a job. I basically have to commit right now to move. Anyone else have to deal with this? </p>
<p>When I get back to campus next week, I'm going to talk with advisers and see what they have to say about those who have graduated with the aerospace engineering degree.</p>
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Yes, but isn't aerospace too specialized? I mean, there are not aerospace jobs everywhere in the country. It seems that would be true for electrical engineering, though.
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<p>I don't think I would call it TOO specialized. If you're worried about that then go for ME. I'd say EE jobs are pretty widespread though.</p>