Aerospace Question

aerokid1491 · 09-13-2012, 10:20 AM

Hey everyone. My current question is what areas of aerospace engineering are specifically most valuable for the industry? Is it best to focus in structures, controls, aerodynamics or anything else?

Thanks for your time!

Meesh6036 · 09-13-2012, 03:10 PM

Structures is where the big businesses like Boeing hire quite a bit from. But other companies obviously take a lot of students from the other fields, but probably a little less demand. I'd go with what you enjoy doing though. I thought I wanted to do structures until I went through my structures classes, and focused more on propulsion. However, I ended up with an avionics company so it didn't really matter anyway.

boneh3ad · 09-13-2012, 03:28 PM

Contrary to what meesh up here says, structures are not any more valuable o aerospace companies. All the major areas are pretty much equally important. There is probably a slight bias at airframes towards structures but then again, there is a larger hiring pool for that due to the prescience of mechanical and materials engineers. An engine manufacturer is going to probably skew towards propulsion guys. They all need aerodynamicists and dynamicists. Just do what you enjoy.

aerokid1491 · 09-13-2012, 07:06 PM

Well, I go to UIUC and have taken almost all the fluid dynamics/aerodynamics classes the aero department has to offer. However, I still have lots of time to graduate and have been planning to fill a decent amount of that time with advanced classes in computational courses that teach finite element/difference/volume for uses in fluid dynamics, thermal and structure problems. I have done a few classes on solving various problems with these but I want to just go more in depth.

Whatever time remaining I just wanted to decide whether I should do some extra propulsion or extra controls or something. I honestly like them all, although materials is my least favorite aspect. I was just curious what things I could take that would be the best. Thanks for all of your insight tho!

boneh3ad · 09-13-2012, 08:13 PM

Well first, Oskee wow wow!

Now that's out of the way, if I was still there I'd go out of my way to find a class taught by Bodony if you haven't had him before. I took viscous flow with him and it was awesome. Otherwise, I'd say your plan sounds good. I would say with any other free electives maybe explore dynamics or another area a bit that interests you if you are feeling bold!

aerokid1491 · 09-13-2012, 08:27 PM

Haha Oskee Wow Wow! I actually had incompressible flow and computational aerodynamics with him as well. He is a great teacher, haha. And alright, sounds great. I will surely look into that. Thanks again!

Gettalife · 09-23-2012, 10:17 PM

Tough question right now because the broader aerospace industry is going through large changes. For example on the defense side, with the US and european govt budget challenges, the number of near term new platform programs is very low. Since existing platforms will have to be extended further into the future, the aging aircraft challenge is growing. And the need for new capabilities will drive more new mission systems (where they can be afforded) in existing platforms. Fuel efficiency is also more important than ever for both commercial and defense. So in the end, agree with Boneh3ad - do what you like!