Aerospace Engineers : Are you happy?
My son is currently thinking of pursuing aerospace engineering in college -- aerospace engineers what are your thoughts on your jobs and careers? Do you regret it? Would you have pursued something else? Any advice?
When I see my hardware flying in the sky or roar from a launch pad - I think to myself “It was all worth it”.
How many other times do you wonder if you you should have taken the more money making career path (software engineer)? Not sarcasm. Not being a software engineer and being paid 30% lower for more work makes me wonder it all the time.
Not often. When I was an adolescent I was very much into game programming and wanted to be a programmer. However I fell in love with the night sky and the idea of the exploration of the unknown. And so that became my bliss.
Don’t let him get into this slow, boring, low paying career. It’s not worth the 4 yrs or mental turmoil. Study comp science instead
Especially if he is only getting a bachelors degree he probably wouldn’t work in an aerospace role probably something generic anybody with an engineering degree can do
I feel aerospace engineering is a bit too focused and specialized for an undergraduate. You are really limiting your future roles. Do CSE and if you really want go for an aerospace company ada SWE so you can transition elsewhere if you don’t like it.
I think for the most part, people that age still are unsure of what they truly want. If it's a calling for him, encourage him. For most people once you get a better understanding of working life, there's a much greater appreciation of WLB, compensation, location if work, and ability to seek/obtain various opportunities. These later qualities are less so when having an aerospace degree vs something more universal like a CSE or SDE background.
You hit the nail in the head with this comment
Don't do it. It's a specialized degree which pidgeon holes you into only being able to work for certain companies. If your son really wants to work in aerospace just major in electrical or mechanical engineering, that way he can at least work in other industries if he doesn't find anything
Also OP should assume bad sample pool of responses because Blind seems geared towards tech and software. Also people are usually here because they are comparing and thinking of other opportunities that are more appealing and when reading other Blind post (related to tech jobs) they do seam more appealing.
best response i've seen in this thread so far. electrical or mechanical will get you very very far in aerospace... as high as you want to go... plus are both way more versatile/useful to other companies or professions. solid advice.
Do mechanical or structural engineering, and then get into aerospace with that discipline
For the record, I have a degree in environmental engineering, worked in aerospace quality, got laid off, got into software, contracted at Microsoft, then got hired as a software engineer at Boeing. Life is funny and your career is what you make of it, not your degree choices.
It just depends on how you can span out your career. Degree is minimum requirement in aerospace, but that’s also a secondary as career movement. I’ve been a propulsion guy in my entire career. Been in military, government, engine company, airplane company, dealt with many small and big companies as a regulator. I am satisfied with what I do and how I support my family. However, I know how much my peers make as aerospace engineers; if I was in middle of the salary pool, I probably wouldn’t be enjoying my life as much. I probably won’t be able to support my family as single income and regret the choices I’ve made. As many have said, aerospace engineers are limited in work location; however, I believe many of desirable areas in continental US got aerospace presence. Still, incomparable to being an SWE or ME as diversified career choices.
Most aerospace presence is on the outskirts of major cities or in 2nd tier cities. Manufacturing and design is usually located near eachother making the manufacturing location the common denominator. They aren't usually located near city or metro cores
Technology is slow, pay really sucks and you often times get holed into one company without many options to move around. I would do software engineering instead.
Do comp science instead.