Allow myself to introduce...myself...

[TheBourne]

Hi everyone, just joined you forum (actually just realized it existed a few days ago) and can say browsing the forums has brought me a lot of insight and assurance as to why I am in this field. Currently I am in my third year of aerospace engineering at Ryerson University (don't worry I'm not here to spam you with my resume lol) but I am coming up to a decision that will probably decide my career path and overall fate (might be a little overdramatic). Anyway by 4th year we are supposed to streamline into either AIRCRAFT or SPACE SYSTEMS, and I am really at a loss for what I should choose. I think I mainly got into aerospace for the fact that I would once like to see the exploration of space evolved into something more grand, but in my lifetime I'm just not sure that it would be wise to choose the space stream, as my gut feeling tells me I would get stuck doing satellite sensors or something I find bland and really uninteresting. On the other hand I feel as though in the aircraft stream I could further my knowledge of aerodynamics and in-atmosphere performance and could lead me to what is popular in this day in space (ie private manned spacecraft like spaceshipone etc.). I known this is my decision and the owness is on me, but my real question to is if my thinking is in check? Am I being realistic? Any advice is very much appreciated! Thanks and look forward to getting to know you all!

Jesse

 

[jmw]

On the contrary, it might be that space exploration is about to burgeon now that private money is involved.
There have been some useful links in these fora to some of the recent successes.
On the other hand the aero-industry seems to lurch from one rough patch to another with the news that the Airbus consortium is to shed 25% of its workforce.
Doubtless you will find examples of doom and gloom and of optimism for both sectors but the main thing is not to write off the space sector too soon. It isn't all about satellites.

JMW

http://www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

[TheBourne]

Hi JMW and thanks for the response. I am well aware that space is about to skyrocket due to private money and organizations getting involved, and I definitely want to land a job in the space industry eventualy, my main concern is that I might be better equipped to do this with an aircraft bacground rather than a space systems background? I know it may sound foolish to think this, but as far as I know Ryerson's space program is focused mainly on satellite control and orbital mechanics/control rather than propulsion (which is a common course between the two streams in fourth year) and aerodynamics (ie this would be useful for escape and re-entry). For the record I attended a presentation regarding the space stream put together by some of my professors, and even they said your options are more tangible with a aircraft discipline.

Jesse

 

[rb1957]

as an aero., i think the space industry has to expand several orders before it becomes comparable to aircraft. mind you my father didn't recommend aero. to me as i went into uni. all those years ago, as the field is pretty small, compared to mech.

that being said, control theory is good to know, and applicable in fields outside of spacecraft. and at the end of the day aero. grads work in the space industry, and space grads in the plane industry, so it's not like you're really burning any bridges; and (a little dose of reality) what you specialise in at uni. isn't critically important to your first job (as you know very little, sorry).

from your post you want to ultimately work in the space industry ... so go with it and good luck.

 

[TheBourne]

Thanks RB and JMW, hopefully I can make my mind up by next Fall!

 

[GregLocock]

Which one will be easiest to get internships in? Do that one.

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.