I chose to study aerospace engineering because of my passion for the field. For those who don't know, aerospace engineering focuses on the design optimization of aircrafts and spacecrafts. An aerospace engineer is interested in air dynamics, structures, aircraft stability and control.
I chose to study at Virginia Tech because it is by far the best engineering school in Virginia. I believe the aerospace program at Virginia Tech is rated among the top 10 programs in the nation.
Another factor in my decision to pursue aerospace engineering is the flexibility that the degree affords graduates on the job market. Aerospace engineers have nearly unlimited job potential. For example, aerospace engineers work in the car industry to create aerodynamic designs that save the driver money as fuel costs continue to rise.
The admissions process was quick and simple. Most universities require students to submit 2 or 3 essays during the application process, but Virginia Tech makes essays optional.
Generally, a bachelors degree in aerospace engineering takes 4 years. However, because a few of the aerospace engineering classes have a high failure rate, some students need to retake a class the following year, so it takes them 5 years to graduate. For me, I am on track to graduate in 5 years, not because I failed a class, but because I decided to distribute the coursework for my current semester over 2 years. This way, I will be less stressed and hopefully earn better grades.
My curriculum consists of 136 credits of coursework and labwork. Coursework is divided into 7 areas, including general education requirements, technical electives and specific aerodynamic engineering classes. In their freshman and sophomore years, students typically take general engineering classes as well as statics, physics and calculus classes. In their junior and senior years, students transition into more concentrated classes.
In addition to classes, students take a series of engineering labs that become increasingly more intense as they advance through the program. While freshmen and sophomore labs tend to be more general, junior and senior labs are much more intense and hands-on. For example, seniors have the opportunity to work on designing and building a small airplane.
The biggest strengths of my program are the prestigious faculty and the rigorous, hands-on curriculum. Students are prepared to work in the field through their contact with great professors and from experience gained during internships and co-ops.
I have not done an internship in my field, although a few of my classmates have. Virginia Tech provides students with multiple opportunities to find internships or co-ops, including a job fair in the fall that is specifically for engineers.
I would advise an aerospace engineering student to remain disciplined. Students need to maintain a strong work ethic and avoid being distracted by leisure activities.
I would also advise students to take a look at past homework assignments and practice exams when studying for tests.
I live off campus, but only have a 10 minute commute to school. I usually ride the bus, and because bus fees are incorporated into my annual tuition, this mode of transportation is definitely cheaper than driving a car. However, the commute can be inconvenient at times, so certain students may be more inclined to skip classes.
I think it is pretty common for students, especially upperclassmen, to live off campus. At Virginia Tech, I think two-thirds of students live off campus. Because freshmen are required to live on campus, most off campus students are sophomores, juniors or seniors.
Although I am enrolled in only 12 credits, I spend about 80 to 90 hours per week studying. This is mainly due to the intensity of my homework assignments. Most of my homework involves group projects or the use of a computer. For example, I often work with computer programs, such as MATLAB and Mathematica.
After graduating with a degree in aerospace engineering, I would like to get involved with computational fluid dynamics. I am also interested in designing aircrafts and spacecrafts.
Most aerospace engineers with a bachelors degree face limited advancement in the aerospace field. Fortunately, some companies hire aerospace engineers with a bachelors degree, and then pay for their masters degree education while they are on the job. The most lucrative positions are open to aerospace engineers who hold a doctorate. They typically earn $90,000 to $100,000, whereas engineers with bachelors and masters make between $65,000 and $75,000.
In addition to high salaries, aerospace engineers have great prospects on the job market. As long as people continue to fly and use aircrafts as a consistent mode of transportation, aerospace engineers will continue to be employed.
I would tell a student who is interested in aerospace engineering that they need to development good time management skills, work hard and get involved. If you manage your time well, you will work efficiently and have time to relax.
A bachelors program in aerospace engineering requires hard work. In particular, incoming students should be prepared for the challenging classes that they are required to take during their freshmen year. These classes are specifically designed to weed out students who are not ready to be an aerospace engineering major.
Once enrolled in the aerospace engineering program, students should get involved with organizations and social clubs. During my freshmen year, I joined the design team as well as an engineering fraternity. Being part of a fraternity enabled me to step outside of my comfort zone and gain new experiences.
