Aerospace Engineering: Best Schools for Students and Career Opportunities

Aerospace Engineering: Best Schools for Students and Career Opportunities

This article is about Aerospace Engineering: the best schools for students, and career opportunities, therefore, every student who has an interest in aerospace, and aeronautical engineering should take advantage of this post to make the most appropriate decision.

A brief history of how aerospace engineering came about?

Sir George Cayley in 1804 and 1856, Jean-Marie Le Bris came up with the concept of lift, weight, and thrust from a suitable powerful engine and three-axis control of pitch, roll, and yaw.

This invention, therefore, brought about the first aeroplane to take off and climb on its own power, fly to a significant distance, and also make a controllable landing.

After this invention of fixed-wing aeroplanes, a lot of scientists also made impressive inventions and came up with helicopters and autogyro.

The first definition of aerospace engineering was given in 1958, this definition considered the earth’s atmosphere and outer space as a single realm.

As a result, it encompasses both aircraft (aero) and spacecraft (space), hence the word aerospace.

On October 4th, 1957, the first satellite was launched. The U.S aerospace engineers, also launched the first American satellite on January 13th, 1958.

In 1958, the National Aeronautics and space administration was founded as a result of the Cold war.

Rocketry and spacecraft are also another side of the aerospace engineering.

Other famous pioneers in aerospace engineering are Robert Goddard, Werner Von Braun, Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, Kalpana Chawla, and Neil Armstrong among others.

Although the engineering field was originally regarded as Aeronautical engineering”.

As flight technology advanced, to include craft operating in outer space, it later changed to “aerospace engineering” which has largely replaced the common usage.

What is Aerospace Engineering?

Aerospace Engineering is a branch of engineering that is concerned with the research, design, testing, development, science and technology, development, and production of aircraft and spacecraft.

It also deals with the science behind the forces and the physical properties of rockets, flying craft, aircraft, and spacecraft.

It also covers the characteristics and behaviors of aerodynamic, drag, control, airfoil, surfaces, lifts, and other properties

How many types of Aerospace Engineering do we have?

Aerospace Engineering is categorized into 2 major branches:

  • Aeronautics, which deals with aircrafts and related systems that operates beyond the earth’s atmosphere known as “aeronautical engineering”.
  • Astronauts which deals with spacecraft, missiles, rocket-propulsion system and other equipment operating beyond the earth’s atmosphere “astronautical engineering”. Astronautics is often referred to colloquially as rocket science such as in popular culture.

What do aerospace engineers do?

Aerospace engineers work full-time on regular schedules.

However managing larger projects can work overtime hours, especially when deadlines are approaching.

Most of the time, aerospace engineers spend time on office setting work with advanced computer equipment and sophisticated programs.

Aerospace engineers also work in manufacturing environments too.

They oversee the construction and implementation of designs.

Most Aerospace Engineers work for aerospace parts manufacturers, with smaller percentages working for private research facilities and engineering firms.

Is aerospace engineering a good career choice?

Aerospace engineering is one of the best numerous profession we have, there’s nothing wrong with majoring in aerospace engineering.

If you enjoy working on the computer or passionate about inventing new things.

Then a career in aerospace will be just the perfect choice for you.

An Aerospace Engineer is entitled to an average annual income of 102,720.

The lowest 10% aerospace engineers, makes around $65,450 while the highest 10% earns around $149,120.

How can I become an aerospace engineer?

Becoming an aerospace engineer entails that you have in-depth knowledge of mathematics and English.

To become an aerospace engineer or scientist, you will have to study the course for a period of four to seven years after high school.

What should an aerospace engineer have?

An aerospace engineer should possess the following skills;

  • Strong mathematical, analytical and problem solving skills.
  • Technical expertise.
  • Creativity and innovative thinking.
  • Team working.
  • Attention to details.
  • A strong awareness of safety issues.
  • Project and time management skills.
  • Communication skills- both oral and written.
  • Problem solving/analytical skills.
  • Leadership skills.
  • Innovation and creativity.
  • Interpersonal,
  • Organizational and planning skills.
  • Time management,
  • Commitment to keeping up to date with technical development.
  • The ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

What challenges do international students who studied aerospace engineering face?

Studies have shown that citizens who are studying in an American or European Union member country university, do not have difficulty getting employment.

However, for international students, in the U.S or European Union, securing a job with an aerospace company is almost becoming an impossibility.

This is not a discouragement, but a reality because the career is tied heavily to national security and defence. You can equally check out this Masters in Robotics Engineering| Best Schools and Course Prices it might be of your interest to.

What are the best schools to study aerospace engineering?

The choice of aerospace and aeronautical engineering matters if you want to study aerospace engineering.

This post explores you to some of the best schools that your dream can be achieved

  • Massachusetts Institute of technology: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is located in the midsize city of Cambridge. It is ranked 5th out of 1,715 colleges nationwide. This implies that MIT is a great college.
  • Worcester polytechnic institute: it is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized population of students. It is located in the city of Worcester, the U.S. it is ranked 51 out of 1,715 colleges nationwide and regarded as one of the best colleges to study aerospace engineering.
  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: RPI is one of the finest schools in the country. It is located in the small city of Troy, in the state of New York. RPI is also a private not-for-profit college. It has a moderately-sized student population. It is ranked 58th out of 1,715 schools.
  • University of Colorado Boulder: the University of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school, located in the midsize city of Boulder, Colorado. It is ranked 227th out of 1,715 colleges.

What are the career opportunities of an aerospace engineer?

An aerospace engineering presents you with numerous job opportunities, some of which includes;

  • Mechanical engineer.
  • Aircraft/spacecraft designer.
  • Data processing manager.
  • Military aerospace engineer.
  • Drafter.
  • Aerospace technician.
  • Inspector and compliance officer.
  • Mission payload specialist.
  •  Maintenance engineer.
  • Manufacturing system engineer.
  • Material engineer.
  • Automotive engineer.
  • Technical sales engineer.
  • Patent attorney.
  • Production manager.
  • Quality manager.
  • Control and instrumentation engineer.
  • Energy engineer.

Conclusion

With the best information about aerospace engineering at your fingertips, we believe making the right choices regarding aerospace engineering will no longer be an issue.

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