Here’s the problem. I want to be an aerospace engineer. There is only 1 university in my state that offers an aerospace engineering degree and I can’t afford to go there, nor can I afford out of state tuition. I read that mechanical engineering was the major of choice for people who want to be aerospace engineers without an aerospace engineering degree, so is that true? Can I get an aerospace engineering job with a major in mechanical engineering? And would double majoring or minoring in astrophysics help me at all? I am really interested in taking astrophysics classes. So is this an ideal way to get into the field without getting the actual degree?
Mechanical Engineering is certainly a fine way to get into the industry. It also offers more flexibility. As for taking Astrophysics classes, I don’t think it makes much difference. If you want to take them and have the time available in your curriculum, go ahead.
I have worked my entire 40 year career in aerospace as a structural engineer working on NASA projects. My degree is in civil engineering with a area of expertise in structural analysis. The engineering principles don’t change from civil to aerospace.
In fact, very few of the engineers I work with have aerospace engineering degrees. There are material engineers, mechanical engineers, system engineers, etc.
Just go for the degree in mechanical engineering and do your job searches in the business area that interests you.
I used to work at Boeing and in my department of about 70 people, I only remember two people with aerospace engineering degrees. Most people had hard science and engineering degrees like ME, CE, CS, EE, IE, Math, and Physics.
We did have one guy with a Ph.D. in Fisheries. He was great at statistics.
I remember one designer who had a degree in English. Best written engineering orders ever. And he could actually spell words correctly without spell checker (which didn’t exist in those days).