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re: Would you recommend aerospace engineering?
Posted on 1/14/21 at 9:01 pm to Boo Krewe
Posted on 1/14/21 at 9:01 pm to Boo Krewe
I considered aerospace engineering and decided it’s too cyclical given driven by government defense spending. In order of priority,
Chemical engineering
Mechanical engineering
Electrical engineering
Civil engineering
Industrial engineering
Biomedical engineering
Environmental engineering
The last one is pseudo engineering. You can swap mechanical and electrical. Starting salaries now are consistent with the list. The top 3 can work in virtually any industry. The others are more limited.
I’m nuclear. Didn’t make the list. I’d reconsider if Georgia Power, souther company, completes Vogel Unit 1 and 2 and they get it up and running.
No nuclear since 1984. It needs to come back. My career is nearly over. It’s been moribund in the nuclear industry since three mile island in March 1979.
Chemical engineering
Mechanical engineering
Electrical engineering
Civil engineering
Industrial engineering
Biomedical engineering
Environmental engineering
The last one is pseudo engineering. You can swap mechanical and electrical. Starting salaries now are consistent with the list. The top 3 can work in virtually any industry. The others are more limited.
I’m nuclear. Didn’t make the list. I’d reconsider if Georgia Power, souther company, completes Vogel Unit 1 and 2 and they get it up and running.
No nuclear since 1984. It needs to come back. My career is nearly over. It’s been moribund in the nuclear industry since three mile island in March 1979.
0
Posted on 1/14/21 at 9:15 pm to Boo Krewe
quote:
Would you recommend aerospace engineering?
No....that’s too specific a discipline. If aerospace is not happening in the year that he graduates, he won’t find a job. Instead, I would recommend electrical or mechanical....he/she can then work in aerospace or whatever is hot when he graduates.
Posted on 1/14/21 at 9:20 pm to Boo Krewe
I would recommend a BS in mechanical. He can always take some aerodynamics as electives. If he really wants to go the aerospace route, he will probably need a master's, which mechanical will set him up for perfectly. If he decides he just wants to start making money, mechanical can get you into damn near any industry. The specialized fields like aerospace, petroleum, etc tend to be more competitive because the opportunities are more scarce.
As for schools, he should look at Alabama-Huntsville, Georgia Tech, and aTm. That said, I graduated from LSU and had no problem getting job offers straight out of school.
As for schools, he should look at Alabama-Huntsville, Georgia Tech, and aTm. That said, I graduated from LSU and had no problem getting job offers straight out of school.
Posted on 1/14/21 at 9:21 pm to Boo Krewe
If he wants to learn a lot, work 100+ hr weeks but help change the world, go work for SpaceX. If he wants a cushy job go work for the defense contractors like Lockheed and Boeing.
Posted on 1/14/21 at 9:22 pm to Hangit
BiL did something similar. Graduated with a Mech degree & went into the Navy aboard a frigate for several years.
Now he's sitting behind a desk working for the DoD on capital hill. He's making +$200K a year as a special project analyst(not sure of his official title).
According to my dad (works at the DOE), there are a lot of former military officers with very cush jobs in every (non-partisan) department of our government.
If only I knew then what I know now when I was younger...
Now he's sitting behind a desk working for the DoD on capital hill. He's making +$200K a year as a special project analyst(not sure of his official title).
According to my dad (works at the DOE), there are a lot of former military officers with very cush jobs in every (non-partisan) department of our government.
If only I knew then what I know now when I was younger...
Posted on 1/14/21 at 9:22 pm to AtticusOSullivan
quote:
The problem is its easier for an electrical to do mechanical then it is for a mechanical to do electrical.
Yeah, that's just false. Go ask an electrical to design a thermal system and get back with me.
Posted on 1/14/21 at 9:29 pm to Boo Krewe
I would advise getting a degree in mechanical engineering and focus heavily on thermodynamics and fluid mechanics. That can get you into aerospace, but it gives a great base to go into other areas of engineering if aero doesn't pan out.
Also, your protégé needs to know that aero jobs are well fought after, so a good college record is a must and because it's so sought after, it's not as lucrative as other options.
Then again, the tradeoff for getting into aero is that you might get to launch shite off the planet.
And that's fricking cool.
Also, your protégé needs to know that aero jobs are well fought after, so a good college record is a must and because it's so sought after, it's not as lucrative as other options.
Then again, the tradeoff for getting into aero is that you might get to launch shite off the planet.
And that's fricking cool.
This post was edited on 1/14/21 at 9:33 pm
Posted on 1/14/21 at 9:39 pm to Boo Krewe
I have a Civil and MBA. TAMU/AU/GT will have the largest alumni base in the SE. That matters. Something to keep in mind depending where he wants to live.
Posted on 1/14/21 at 9:50 pm to AUCE05
Idk. I tried explaining all these things. He interested in colorado school of mines .
Posted on 1/14/21 at 10:23 pm to Boo Krewe
quote:
dk. I tried explaining all these things. He interested in colorado school of mines .
Colorado school of mines is an excellent school....he will do well if he attends there, particularly if he wants to live out west. I lived in Denver for a while after I attended college....cool city, but there is not much work for engineers out west.
In my experience, it is pretty useless to put too much effort into advising a young person, as they typically figure out on their own all of the things that have been said in this thread.
This post was edited on 1/14/21 at 11:00 pm
Posted on 1/14/21 at 10:28 pm to Spankum
not a good party scene tho 
Posted on 1/14/21 at 10:45 pm to Boo Krewe
My son graduates aero e in December 2021. He was just telling me there is a 300/1 applicant to internship ratio from his school a top 20 engineering school.
That particular field is cut throat to get a job in. However if you get through aero any of the other engineering can be doable.
That particular field is cut throat to get a job in. However if you get through aero any of the other engineering can be doable.
Posted on 1/14/21 at 11:26 pm to Boo Krewe
Any company that he can get s job with having a aerospace engineering degree he can get the same or similar job with a mechanical engineering degree, and will give him flexibility if he should want to work outside aerospace. Why not a Big 10 school, Purdue is a top 10 engineering school, heavy aerospace aviation emphasis if you want it, large percentage of engineering grads pick up a pilot license while there, airport is part of the campus, Air Force ROTC is also huge. I think as of now 2 dozen Purdue engineering grads have been astronauts including the 1st and last persons to walk on the moon.
This post was edited on 1/14/21 at 11:30 pm
Posted on 1/14/21 at 11:50 pm to Gaston
quote:
To me that’s too focused. I’d recommend science (physics) first, then a base engineering second (mechanical)...neither one of those would prevent you from being an aerospace engineer in grad school or industry. Unless, that is, you get into a top undergrad program in the country.
Materials is the best focus for aero IMO.
Good you are such an insufferable douche when this shite. You did all that and had to go back and get an engineering degree.
Boo Kreme, any of the engineering majors will be fine. Aerospace is going to be more limited in number of jobs. But overall great path and if he wants to go this away, have him do rotc like someone else said. Will give him a big leg up, especially if he can get an MBA.
In Louisiana and Texas, chemical is gonna be highest starting pay and best chance for advancement especially with an MBA and PE. Mechanical would be next then electrical.
If he is interested in the plants any of these should be good paths, civil should be next.
Posted on 1/14/21 at 11:57 pm to lsu777
Go the cheapest route btw.
And why do some of yall think people are still designing stuff after a couple years? I mean I guess some do, but its usually the weird ones that can't manage shite.
And why do some of yall think people are still designing stuff after a couple years? I mean I guess some do, but its usually the weird ones that can't manage shite.
Posted on 1/15/21 at 1:11 am to Sneaky__Sally
quote:
If he definitely wants to do engineering, no need to decide what specific discipline immediately - go to a school with several good programs and figure out what he is drawn to would be my advice.
This is good advice IMO.
Also, would consider majoring in Mech Engr and getting a minor/doing a double major in Aerospace.
I don't have my finger on the engineering demand pulse so don't know how demand projects out.
Best wishes and God bless your son.
Posted on 1/15/21 at 1:14 am to lsu777
quote:
Go the cheapest route btw.
Also worth considering. If unsettled on a specific engineering discipline, go a year or two to a community college. Much cheaper.
Posted on 1/15/21 at 2:46 am to lsu777
quote:
And why do some of yall think people are still designing stuff after a couple years? I mean I guess some do, but its usually the weird ones that can't manage shite.
It’s more like the ones that can’t design, and never should have been engineers to begin with move into management.
Posted on 1/15/21 at 6:30 am to Boo Krewe
I have BS Mechanical and MS Aero, the latter from Auburn.
Been working in Aerospace for over 30yrs. I work with MEs, Materials, EEs, Physics majors,
Having a Master's, I didnt have all the same courses as the undergrad AEs but there was alot of overlap between Aerospace and Mechanical. AEs need to understand structures, controls, etc as well.
Mechanical is broader and may get a foot in the door easier at a broader spectrum of businesses
I'd suggest looking at curricula for various majors to see what the classes are like. Electives and areas of concentration can allow for investigation into certain areas of interest.
Auburn has a very good engineering school, and I am sure it has changed alot since the 80s when I was there. The facilities certainly have improved. Mississippi STate was know for AE grads in the late 80s, early 90s, esp in the area of CFD. UF and GT also have good reputations.
Been working in Aerospace for over 30yrs. I work with MEs, Materials, EEs, Physics majors,
Having a Master's, I didnt have all the same courses as the undergrad AEs but there was alot of overlap between Aerospace and Mechanical. AEs need to understand structures, controls, etc as well.
Mechanical is broader and may get a foot in the door easier at a broader spectrum of businesses
I'd suggest looking at curricula for various majors to see what the classes are like. Electives and areas of concentration can allow for investigation into certain areas of interest.
Auburn has a very good engineering school, and I am sure it has changed alot since the 80s when I was there. The facilities certainly have improved. Mississippi STate was know for AE grads in the late 80s, early 90s, esp in the area of CFD. UF and GT also have good reputations.
Posted on 1/15/21 at 6:42 am to CheEngineer
Bang for your buck?
aTm is not cheap in state, let alone out of state. Now, it is a superior engineering program with a few in the SEC being somewhat closer to them than others (ie UF, Vandy).
Ftr, MEs are finding employment difficult right now.
aTm is not cheap in state, let alone out of state. Now, it is a superior engineering program with a few in the SEC being somewhat closer to them than others (ie UF, Vandy).
Ftr, MEs are finding employment difficult right now.
This post was edited on 1/15/21 at 6:52 am
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