Could really use some advice on final semester as undergrad 5

[saber1357]

Hello! I will soon be starting my final semester in my undergrad career, studying Aerospace Engineering with a focus on air-breathing propulsion. I would highly like to pursue a career in the propulsion field (as well as find a place that will pay for masters), so I'm looking to make myself as marketable as possible with an undergrad degree.

Last semester I acquired a research project position with a graduate professor. Unfortunately, due to my heavy coarse load, I was unable to contribute a significant amount to the project. This upcoming semester, I only need 3 classes to complete my degree, I have a choice between having a relatively small coarse load and being able to significantly contribute to the project, or filling my schedule with extra classes to achieve a minor in CAD.

In your opinion, which choice do you believe is the better way to go and will look better for an employer?

Thank you very much for any input!!
-Vlad

 

[001012]

Go with any extra class that you can take. For a job, start with Air Force, go to USAJOB.COM and see how many job is available for you, do not waste your time with small companies too little to learn.

 

[rb1957]

do you want to design (= draw) or analyze ?

if the former that some CAD would help; if the latter, probably not (and project experience would probably help more in either case).

sorry, but jobs in the AF ? do you want to design/analyze new engines, or work with the ones that are there ? sure the AF does some research, but i'd go with a commerical engine c/o (PW, GE, Lycoming, RR, ...)

and "air-breathing engines" covers a heck of a lot ... jets, props, UAVs, scram jets, ... which in particular ?

 

[FeX32]

I knew many students that would kill for the research opportunity as an undergrad. This however will most greatly benefit you if you then pursue graduate studies. It not only gives you the experience and connections but it increases your chances for scholarships and fellowships ect.

If you desire to go into industry right away I suggest the CAD however.


Fe

 

[IRstuff]

I don't think you need a minor in CAD, but CAD knowledge would certainly be useful. However, why can't you do both? Take a class in CAD and do the research. At the very minimum, you go to your job interview with actual work experience on actual hardware, and you can at least lay claim to knowing how to use at least one CAD package.

TTFN

FAQ731-376
Chinese prisoner wins Nobel Peace Prize

 

[kontiki99]

Developing CAD programs might be a science, but to use CAD is to use a tool. I don't think additional classes for a "minor" in the use of a tool use makes much sense.

Certainly learn how to use CAD tools, but there must be better minors to support your chosen interest. More thermo? I used to know a guy that worked part time customizing engine control chips for a racing team.

Working for a professor is great if you want to do graduate work. Masters and PHd seem to require some level indentured service with the associated vow of poverty.

One thing about civil service jobs, the level you start at is 100% about your GPA.

 

[saber1357]

Thank you all extremely much for all the responses!! It seems that valid support exists for both choices. I would like to eventually pursue masters, but not right away as I am craving to get some real industry experience right after my undergrad. And I already learned a CAD software (CATIA), but the minor in CAD covers topics related to CAD, such as rapid prototyping and the like. I unfortunately cannot do both as choosing to pursue the extra classes would fill up my coarse load again, and not give me enough time to contribute towards the research project. And I am also not looking towards going into the AF, but more to companies that deal with commercial engines, such as RR or GE.

My main concern was whether a minor actually meant something and looked impressive to employers. I would not like to pursue CAD in the industry, and am aiming specifically for working the compressor stages in turbofan/jet engines. So pretty much in your experiences, would you say that a minor looks more impressive on a resume, or does research experience; both of which are somewhat related to the area that I would like to pursue a career in?

Again, thank you all very much for the responses!

 

[IRstuff]

OK, here's another bit of advice. Preciseness and accuracy in communications is as important as many of the technical aspects discussed. To that end, a sequence of classes is a COURSE, not COARSE, although some courses are quite coarse, in the rough sense.

Also, make sure that you spellcheck your resume, and have at least a couple of other people proofread it.

TTFN

FAQ731-376
Chinese prisoner wins Nobel Peace Prize

 

[KENAT]

You can work for the airforce as a civilian, however for what you want to do I doubt it's a great fit.

The right small companies can offer a lot to a new wanna be designer, given that the govt and OEMs are subcontracting more and more design work to smaller places and focusing on the project management, requirements definition...

Posting guidelines faq731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

(probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484​

 

[saber1357]

Thank you everyone for the help!