How to make the best of my situation doing a second B.S. in ME?

College Majors Engineering Majors
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I graduated recently with a GPA on the low-side from Cal Poly Pomona (3.08) in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics/Statistics in 2014. I applied to a handful of universities to see if I could get into their master’s programs because I felt I could make up some coursework, but I did not receive admission to any.

I was advised that I should do a second bachelor’s since I have zero engineering courses under my belt.

I applied and was accepted to the University of Louisville for Mechanical Engineering. I don’t think they’re the greatest engineering school, but it’s a reasonable commute from work (20 min). I can’t really move away from here. I currently work as a software engineer and my rent is as low as I can get it living here. I also have many ties to this place that depend upon my support. I tried to look for a way out to get into a better school and be able to live wherever, but I don’t think it’s possible at this point.

U of L’s curriculum has 2 mandatory co-ops that will be part of the degree and I will have to either take a leave of absence from the job or quit completely. I will be discussing this with my bosses once I get my financial aid ironed out.

My mindset is to totally turn myself around this time because I did not take school as serious as I wanted to the first time. My last year was the only year I really showed that I cared. I want to make the best grades possible, do as much research as I can, participate in all of the teams and competitions offered out there that I can, and really make this degree count this time.

Given that i just really put myself out there and keep my GPA up, am I ever going to have a shot at getting a co-op at a place (since U of L is not a “great” engineering school) like NASA? Boeing? Lockheed Martin? SpaceX?

I want to go into the aerospace industry after I graduate.

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You might try to read Quora answers. According to a former HR person, Spacex tries to recruit the top 1% of the human population and focuses on the top engineering programs for college recruitment, as a way to make the first cut. They look at FSAE competitions when looking outside the top schools, and other hand on types that make some demonstrated project in rockets, robotics etc. Do they have rocket propulsion there at U of L?

from Business Insider re Reddit AMA
They also took the time to explain what it would take for to someone to earn an internship at SpaceX:

On the software side, actual coding experience (hobby or class projects) look great on your resume. We also love to see passion about space; feel free to dork out on your resume or interview. We use C++ a lot but there is also plenty of Python, C# and even some Matlab is used here. Some experience with lower-level systems such as the networking stack doesn’t hurt. Align yourself with a professor and attach yourself whatever he or she is working on. High altitude balloon projects are now relatively easy to get started with a few friends and can be very applicable.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-get-a-job-at-spacex-2013-2#ixzz3gLJ1a2aG

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So you are working in California or where?

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UTC Aerospace systems is on their list of schools with coops. They have bought a lot of companies you have heard of, . Merger of Hamilton Sundstrand and Goodrich (not just tires), building aircraft brakes right there in Louisville. Coop there and you may be able to coop elsewhere for next session somewhere else in the US, with more aero- or more space flavor, depending on your dreams and aspirations :->

I think the coop might be better for you than you think, except maybe financially, since you may make more money now that the coop will pay. However, the coops will make you a legitimate mechanical engineer rather than some math/computer major who wants to be an engineer and will get you some contacts out in the field.

NASA hiring is pretty rare, keep your eyes on USAJOBs. Aerospace in general is a bit slow and cyclical, so a solid ME degree will have more options (and non-space, non-aero ME is often similar, design is design, analysis is analysis, etc and it pays the bills).

Your computer background will come in handy with your CAD and analysis packages, you may be able to do some things others can’t do.

U of Louisville is accredited. You should ask around the ME department, especially the aero-flavor professors, and see what companies they have contacts with, contracts with (better) or have sent employees to. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

If you can keep working, keep your cost of living low, maybe find an employer who will let you code and go to school, it’s really all good. Again, though, at some point you have to step over into ME, or it will always be computers first.

Keep your cost of living low and live a students life with work to pay the bills while you get your BS in ME.

1 Like
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@BrownParent: Thanks for the tip. I will try looking on that website some more for advice.

@DrGoogle: I work in a neighboring town to Louisville. I am currently in Kentucky.

@PickOne1: Thanks for your detailed advice. I also figured it’d be better to major in mechanical rather than aerospace because of the more flexibility.

I will ask around and see what I can find out about. I talked to my boss today and he basically told me with all of restricting we’re doing, I’d have to talk to his boss about if and how to keep my job going while doing this degree. We’ll see what happens. I’m being more proactive about looking for other jobs that can give me some freedom in doing school too.

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If you are working as a programmer now why go get a ME degree?

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/29/technology/code-academy-as-career-game-changer.html

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What about online degrees. Some of them allow you to take class and then if you get good grades you can apply to the Master Program.

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It’s not about the the money. It’s about enjoying what I’m doing and not dealing with the drudgery of being in a cubicle coding or solving customer issues.

Working as a developer has given me more programming skills than I ever imagined I would have, but it’s a job that doesn’t make me happy because what I’m coding is so boring. The customers treat developers like crap.

I like coding on my own time for things I want to create. 2 years into this job and I still hate it, but I am attending school now and they’re being flexible about it. I plan on co-oping in the fall and that’s when I will make the transition. :slight_smile: