Hello. I am currently a high school senior who will go to ASU with a major in Aerospace Engineering. However, I am having doubts that I am not going to like my future job or I will not find Aerospace jobs (because I was told by a teacher that the number of jobs in the Aerospace field is declining), which is why I want to do Mechanical Engineering. Because the two engineering fields are similar, I was thinking why not do both. So my questions are: Is taking a double major worth it? If it is not, then should I take Mechanical Engineering as my major and have a minor in Aerospace Engineering? Or should I just take Mechanical Engineering only?
I don’t think (someone can correct me if I’m wrong) but ASU doesn’t offer a dual or double degree program with ME/AE.
Most of your classes the first year, will be shared between ME and AE (physics, calculus, etc.). You’ll have time to decide if you want to switch. Once on campus, you will meet your professors, other students and recruiters and that should help you with your choice.
You may also want to think about the accelerated degree program, where you can earn your BS and Masters in 5 years. That’s a much better way to spend your time, money and effort vs a dual degree.
I would also recommend you join a design team, as that may help you determine if you want to do ME or AE. Design teams have different types of engineers working on the same project. You’ll get to do a little “ME” as well as seeing what’s possible with an AE degree.
Good Luck!!
It would be pointless, if the school even allowed it. They’re essentially the same degree. You don’t need an aerospace degree to work in aerospace. Most engineers in the field have mechanical and electrical backgrounds.
This is such an overused, misleading statistic. It’s true, of course, but it’s not like there are hordes of aerospace engineers sitting at home unemployed while a bunch of mechanical and electrical engineers sit in the jobs they wanted. The real reason is there is a need in the aerospace industry for all of these specialties. There is a lot of overlap between aerospace and mechanical engineers, but there are certainly jobs that are geared more toward one or the other as well.