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HomeTopics...The Aerospace IndustryAerospace Engineering
Aviation and Aerospace Engineering JobsAerospace engineering is a specialized branch of engineering that deals with aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, rockets and anything else that flies. An aerospace engineer might design the electric system for a commercial plane, the propulsion system for an interplanetary probe or anything in between.
Types of Aerospace EngineeringThere are two types of aerospace engineering:
Aeronautical engineering includes all aerospace engineers who work with aircraft and flying machines that do not leave the Earth's atmosphere.
Astronautical engineers, in contrast, work with spaceships, satellites and other device designed to escape the Earth's atmosphere.
Both astronautical and aeronautical engineering are referred to as aerospace engineering. And, yes, aerospace engineers are indeed the "rocket scientists" so often referred to.
Aerospace Engineer SpecializationsAerospace engineering is not made up of people who prefer to work alone. The complexities of modern aircrafts and spacecrafts guarantee that any aerospace engineering project is a group effort.
Teams of aerospace engineers are needed to complete any aircraft: No single aerospace engineer could possibly study all of the engineering disciplines required for modern aviation. Aerospace safety, propulsion, electrical and computer systems are just some of the areas an aerospace engineer may choose in which to specialize.
Possible areas of specialization for an aerospace engineer include:
There are many other areas in which aerospace engineers choose to specialize, and each area of study is divided into its own specialties.
Aerospace engineers may also specialize in specific areas of the aerospace industry. One aerospace engineer might focus on aviation/aerospace safety as it applies to helicopters, while another may focus on the computer systems required for rockets and missiles.
And, of course, for the truly adventurous aerospace engineers, knowledge of aerospace engineering is often required for astronauts.
Aerospace Engineering DegreesIt is possible to earn aerospace engineering degrees at the bachelor's, master's and Ph.D. levels. Some colleges and universities have departments devoted to aerospace engineering, while others offer aerospace engineering courses within their larger engineering departments.
Aerospace engineers need a thorough understanding of mathematics and chemistry. Many successful aerospace engineers begin studying these disciplines in high school as preparation for post-secondary aerospace engineering studies.
Jobs for Aerospace EngineersThe aerospace engineering industry encompasses multiple disciplines and, therefore, offers a wide selection of jobs at different skill levels.
Competition for some of the higher level positions is often fierce, so aerospace engineering students are encouraged to take any internship or summer job that relates to the industry. The more experience a graduating aerospace engineer has, the better his chance will be of finding the perfect aerospace engineering job.
Mechanical engineering and electronic engineering are the two disciplines most often seen in the aerospace engineering industry. Currently, almost half of all aerospace engineers specialize in electronic engineering.
Aerospace engineers may be employed by commercial airlines and aircraft manufacturers, government agencies or the military. Both government agencies and private enterprises hire aerospace engineers who specialize in astronautical engineering.
Depending on the aerospace engineering discipline you choose, you may have to relocate to find the jobs you want. While an aerospace engineer can find work almost anywhere in the country, the aerospace industry is concentrated heavily in:
In spite of the industry's high profile in these states, aerospace engineering jobs are available across the United States. An aerospace engineer with the urge to travel can also find international work or a job in mobile aerospace engineering.
Resources
Avjobs. (n.d.). Aerospace Engineer Jobs. Retrieved January 23, 2008, from the Avjobs Web site: www.avjobs.com/careers/detail.asp?RecID=1.
Princeton Review. (n.d.). Career: Aerospace Engineer. Retrieved January 23, 2008, from the Princeton Review Web site: www.princetonreview.com/cte/profiles/dayInLife.asp?careerID=5. U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Statistics. (2007). Engineers. Retrieved January 23, 2008, from the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Statistics Web site: www.bls.gov/oco/ocos027.htm. |
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