What area of Aerospace should I specialize in?

RichInPitt
Wed, 18 Dec 2019 07:09:36 +0000

From what I’ve seen, “Aero” majors typically concentrate in aircraft, spacecraft or control systems. So either the physical machines themselves or the electronics that help them fly. And flying through air, with wings that provide lift, drag, etc., is very different than a spacecraft through the vacuum of space.

Many/most schools have a common first year program for all engineering and then a common second year program for all Aero majors. It’s only at that point that you select the 4-6 electives specific to your area of interest. I would suggest you wait until you’re through Statics, Dynamics, Fluids, Controls, and other core coursework to understand which is more attractive to you.

I thoroughly enjoyed the mechanical courses, so went down the path of machine design, vibrations, etc., courses and steered clear of feedback/controls-related courses after the core curriculum. My D is doing the same. But others enjoyed the electronics path.

Engineering is typically one of the higher paying majors and I don’t think the difference in earnings between specialization should override doing what interests you.