Aerospace Engineer

Aaron Noriega

ENG.101, Weds. 6pm

Aerospace Engineer

            I chose aerospace engineering for my career path because of my seven years of aerospace training from the military. Combined I have over 3,000 hours of training on flying, maintenance of aircraft, aerial gunnery, missile defense, combat rescues, and air support. With this knowledge and background I feel that I have the general idea and skills to accomplish my education goals.

            The job description starts with a detailed time lined of events starting from our ancestors looking at birds in the sky pondering how they’d one day soar through the open skies. They would attempt to strap wings made of whatever was around them. It wasn’t till the 18^th century when humans started floating with balloons. Till finally two men finally took flight in 1930 with the first airplane.

            From commercial airliners to astronauts, everyday engineers study and invent new ideas for people to travel faster and cheaper or put mission plans together to send more things into space. You must have a vast knowledge of aeronautics and astronautics to move up the chain of command. Much work is needed to develop something new for the world to use or do something new everyday. Testing and development is the key to all of the engineering we do. Without it we would probably fall out of sky being test dummies for flights on airplanes or rocket ships.

            Salary can vary on position held, education level, and experience. Ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 or more a year. Companies that an engineer could be considered for employment would be Boeing, Lockheed, and NASA. Advancement can depend on the person’s ambition and interest to develop and invent new ideas for the company. Companies are looking for improvements of an existing product, energy efficiency, or creating a new patent for airplanes or spaceships. Starting from a little a grunt working on engines trying to figure out why oil keeps leaking from it to a CEO running a multi-billion dollar company, it’s really all up to you.

From the Ferguson’s Career Guidance data base it states:

Aerospace Engineers who offer their services directly to the public or perform work that affects the life, health, or property of the public must be licensed as professional engineers (P.E.). Every state and territory, as well as Washington, D.C., has its own licensing requirements. For specific information, contact the board of engineering examiners for the area where you wish to practice. (McDavid, Richard A., and Susan Ecahore-McDavid)

            As an entry-level applicant you would need a bachelor’s degree in of course, aerospace engineering, but through this recession I’m sure prior experience is a must or a master’s or greater would be expected. That being, said I have a great adventure that lies ahead of me.

“McDavid, Richard A., and Susan Ecahore-McDavid.”