Is an aerospace engineering major limitting

HPuck35
Thu, 18 Apr 2013 14:10:10 +0000

I was graduating from high school in the early 70’s when they were laying off aerospace workers in droves. Aerospace was my first love as far as engineering fields went. I decided that going into aerospace was a ticket to the END of the unemployment line and I really didn’t want to do that. I ended up going into civil engineering, specifically structural analysis.

When I graduated, they were laying off civil engineers, so my plan totally backfired. I interviewed with several aerospace companies and one offered me a job. I worked there for over 30 years and recently retired.

Interesting to note all the different majors that you find in an aerospace company. You need all kinds of specialties.

On another note; my son went into mechanical engineering and then specialized in mechatronics (robotics to me). He is currently working as a software engineer.

Once you learn the basics of engineering, you can morph your career into almost whatever you want early in your career. As you gain working expereince in a specific field, you develope a “label” as to the kind of engineer you are. You are also paid for that experience, making it hard to change fields in your mid and late career (although not impossible)

If you are unsure about what field of engineering, then mechanical is certainly the most broad and may provide the most initial opportunities.