Chemical Engineering - need thoughts regarding a disappointing visit

aeromom
Wed, 19 Nov 2014 14:37:55 +0000

Like post #9 above and the OP’s experience, our visit was similar way back in 2011…and I’m SOOOOOO glad my S found a way to combat the negative feelings from 1 meeting w/ 1 poor person throughout the 3 (!) days we were there. We had an excellent time right up until a meeting w/ someone who undid the entire visit within the first 5 minutes of talking with us. He basically said similar things: there are no internships for aerospace students; there are limited jobs for aerospace engineers; he can’t place aero graduates in the industry (and couldn’t remember the last time he had done so); aerospace is a dying industry (ha!); etc. It completely deflated my S about going to UA in the first place, and really rocked his core passion for even pursuing an aerospace engineering career. It was that bad.

FORTUNATELY, the next morning, right before our departure, I suggested that we visit the Ferg, where there was a University Days tour starting. All of the tables were set up with student ambassadors and representatives from each major/college, and you could wander around to talk with them. While I went off to find some free tchotchke to take home to make myself feel better…my S just by chance happened to see some aerospace engineering students he had met the previous day, and he told them of his poor experience w/ Mr. “X”…and they proceeded to completely negate the negative about UA, about the department, and about careers in aerospace. Yes, you do have to find internships and co-ops on your own (at least in aero); yes, you do have to work harder at getting yourself out there into the workforce, coming from a small program such as aero at UA…but these students told my S not to listen to the old man and reassured my S that THEY were thriving at UA.

Try to read (in a positive way, or at least in a neutral way) what that professor was really saying, as jrcsmom suggests, instead of it being all negative. When I look back on my S’s meeting, I can see where that Mr. “X” was coming from (altho we didn’t like what we heard at the time). He was probably trying to be helpful in suggesting that my S try some other things other than aero (e.g., add an ME minor or take some business classes to become more marketable out in the workplace). My S interpreted it all the wrong way; and Mr “X” completely underestimated just how determined and passionate my S would be at succeeding in his chosen field!

The rest is history. I’m not going to bore you with all of the magnificent things my S is doing right now and that he has managed to accomplish to date at UA (it would truly sound so over the top). Success can often be found at the intersection of opportunity and luck. It is not merely by chance, however, that so many students at UA are doing amazing things. The smart, savvy, determined ones are rising to the top, and there are plenty of rungs on that ladder to help any students who want to climb to their success.

It is wise to check out your feelings, and perhaps UA is not the right place for your D. But do check out your feelings with others. CC is the place to get some great advice and different perspectives. Good luck with your decision!