Is majoring in Aerospace Engineering unwise?

<p>So lately I've had thoughts of going into the aerospace industry. I know the competition is stuff, and that's what kinda worries me about majoring in aerospace engineering. What if you can't get a job at a Boeing or Lockheed Martin? What is there to do? </p>

<p>For someone who does want to go into the aerospace industry, but ideally wants to have a backup plan, do you guys think mechanical engineering would be the best fit? What engineering majors get hired by the industry the most aside from aerospace engineers?</p>

<p>electrical, materials, mechanical</p>

<p>I guess I should add that I do want to work on the actual infrastructure and engine. I'm pretty sure mechanical is the best fit, but I just wanna hear your guys' thoughts.</p>

<p>Yes!</p>

<p>Mechanical is a good choice over Areospace... Especially if the areospace jobs shrink as much as predicted, the mechincal degree will be applied to many other feilds, AND still allow you a job anywhere dealing w/ areospace. It's a win/win.</p>

<p>Have you been living under a rock? While they have predicted employment in the aerospace industry to decline, "they" (the DOL) have also said that there are going to be great opportunities opening up in the near future as the baby boomers retire.</p>

<p>And since most of us plan to continue traveling via planes in the future, I dont think it will be impossible to find a job. Although it will probably be a little harder than say ME.</p>

<p>We're definitely going to continue flying on airplanes in the future. I also don't believe that we'll stop sending up satellites, whether they're for scientific, militant, or communicative purposes. There are also several companies that are designing vehicles to take astronauts or tourists into space.</p>

<p>I don't see where aerospace jobs are shrinking. They may not be growing exponentially, but I don't see them decreasing very much. Especially with many of today's older engineers retiring over the next few years. I'm not an expert in aerospace job growth, but I'm seeing plenty of opportunities existing and being created in the future.</p>

<p>Yes, competition is tough, but a good aerospace engineering program will prepare you to work in engine design among other things. Visit your school's career placement office and see which companies recruit there.</p>

<p>Firstly the job outlook of most engineering majors is average to below average. The fact is there are such few engineering majors that in most companies engineering positions are going unfilled. </p>

<p>If you really are interested in aerospace then go for it. You will have the knowledge to do a variety of jobs outside of aerospace if you can't get a job doing that but I don't see that being a problem. There are very few aerospace engineering graduates...</p>

<p>Say I really want to go into aerospace engineering. Would you pick mechanical engineering at a top ranked engineering school like UC Berkeley (where there is no aerospace engineering program) or UCLA where there is an aerospace engineering program? </p>

<p>I'm also curious as to what job opportunities are available for aerospace graduates that aren't in the aerospace industry. My biggest fear of majoring in aerospace engineering is unemployment because the field is so specialized and there aren't too many aerospace companies.</p>

<p>Btw, I'm a senior in high school.</p>

<p>correct me if i'm wrong, but i thought that in aerospace you learn a little of everything.... some mechanical ([blank]dynamics, heat transfer, etc), some electrical/computer (control systems), etc.
so though it seems very specialized... its also, in a way, general...</p>

<p>Yeah, but I think it's harder to convince non-aerospace companies to hire you if you have an aerospace engineering degree. I kind of feel like there are more career options with mechanical or electrical (or structural) engineering-- like it's a safer bet, perhaps.</p>

<p>If your terminal degree will be a BS, I would suggest you stick with mechanical and take aero class as your electives. An undergrad aero degree, by iteself, will not qualify you to perform CFD or other aero simulations in any aerospace company. Engineers with just an undergrad education will typically do basic design work and checking...and you will be at a disadvantage relative to an ME for such things. If you are going on to grad school...fine get the aero undergrad. But if you go the ME route, with aero electives, you can still go to grad school in aero and if you decide to directly enter the work force you will have more options.</p>

<p>If you live and breath AE major in it. If it is just one of many interests, major in ME.</p>

<p>Thanks guys. I'm leaning more towards the ME route now.</p>

<p>Another suggestion, go to the websites of Boeing, Lockheed, Pratt, Sikorsky etc. Take a look at the engineering jobs, read the work involved then see what majors they require. </p>

<p>ME wins, but, go where your heart is.</p>

<p>Yeah, I've actually been browsing through the sites of Boeing and Lockheed. Seems like for a lot of their positions they don't really require a specific major. For example, they just say stuff like "Major in engineering or related field, mathematics, physics, etc." </p>

<p>I have no problem with going into ME since I <3 thermodynamics.</p>

<p>And ME will give you the deepest education without being overly specific.</p>

<p>I know a head of a Civil Engineering firm with a MS in Chem Eng. He says if the could do it over again he would do ME. You know so much and can do so much.</p>

<p>Just remember that "Aerospace engineer" sounds a lot cooler than "mechanical engineer".</p>

<p>
[quote]
Just remember that "Aerospace engineer" sounds a lot cooler than "mechanical engineer".

[/quote]
</p>

<p>And "stealth jedi ninja" sounds even cooler than that.
You may have job-finding issues as a stealth jedi ninja, too, though.</p>

<p>stealth jedi ninjas (or SJN's as we call them in the business [and by the business I, of course, mean the industry]) are superior to mechanical engineers but one notch below aerospace.</p>