Need some advice

[brierpatch1974]

Needing some advice on education path. I am currently a double major in aerospace/mechanical engineering. I am in need help on what to get a Masters in. A part of me wants to go the aerospace route while another part of me wants to go the Mechanical route. Any advice?


Thanks

 

[KENAT]

What do you want to be when you grow up, and how realistic of a path is that for you given all other constraints you probably have based on many and varied factors?

For hardcore aerospace/defense you'll likely need a security clearance at some point which is worth considering now.

Where are you willing/able to live - do any of these places have much aerospace?

Are you willing to work on weapons related technology?

These are just some issues you may not have thought of which may need to be factored into your decision making.

Posting guidelines faq731-376

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

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

 

[monkeydog]

Why are you getting a double major?
Why do you want to get a Masters in Mechanical or Aerospace engineering?

 

[Sparweb]

If you're so wrapped up in school that you don't really know what you want to do when you're out of it, but need to know what it is like out of school to go in the right direction when you are in school, then don't stay in school any longer than you have to! (how's that for a run-on sentence?) You can work/live/travel/try things for a while, get your bearings, and then come back for your Master's when you know you're ready.

I did that (minus the Master's part), and it did me good.

Judging by your alias name, if "1974" is the year you were born, then you're as old as I am, meaning you've already been working, before getting the Mech/Aero degree you're finishing now. If that's the case (I'm just speculating) then it's obvious that someone like me, on a web forum, can't know you well enough to give you meaningful advice!

STF

 

[blakmax]

Aargh, I can't resist a comment. In 1974 I was a young man about town. I wonder what his mother's name is! ;-)

I started out as a Mech and strayed into materials science, still with a Mech Masters. (Probably explains the comment above!) After 23 years working in research in a topic I loved at a level which required a PhD I recently was awarded an honorary doctorate in engineering from my old uni.

Serious advice? Go with the flow. Find a topic you really, really find interesting and do not let qualifications (or lack thereof) get in your way. It is far more valuable to love the work you do than to take home a large pay packet and be totally miserable.

Regards

Blakmax

 

[rb1957]

why not get both ?!

but seriously, the two fields are not necessarily that far apart; pick one. Mech is more general and is not rejected by (sensible) Aero employers and would probably be more appreciated in non-Aero jobs.