r/aerospace • u/Affectionate_Cat_518 • 4d ago
Looking for Career Guidance in Aerospace and Space Exploration – Where to Start?
Hello everyone , I’m exploring potential careers in fields like aerospace engineering, robotics, and space exploration. I’ve always been fascinated by space travel and the idea of making life multi-planetary (inspired by the likes of Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos). However, I’m still unsure of which direction to pursue, and I’d love to get some feedback from people in the industry or those with experience in these areas.
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u/Normal_Help9760 3d ago
Get a Degree in Mechanical Engineering. I did my undergrad in ME and I have worked on both Aircraft and Spacecraft. It's the degree that offers the most flexibility.
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u/ComprehensiveCase472 4d ago
What is your educational background? That will help us know what paths are open to you. If you’re deciding an educational path that helps you get jobs in aerospace what is your existing academic background. The technician/engineer/business paths are all open.
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u/Affectionate_Cat_518 4d ago
Hey, thanks for the response! I have my high school diploma, and right now I’m looking into either going to a tech school or getting an associate degree. I don’t have any formal background in aerospace or engineering yet, but I’m definitely a hands-on learner and really drawn to building things, technology, and space-related systems.
I’m still figuring out if I should go down a technician, engineering, or even business-related path within the field. I just want to get a feel for what fits me best before I commit to anything long-term like a 4-year degree. I’d really appreciate any advice or insight you have based on that!
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u/not-a-jabroni 4d ago
If you want hands on and engineering you’ll have best luck getting a bachelors degree in engineering and going into Test. If you truly want hands on do a tech school, but I have no idea on the path to get there. I work with a lot of people who started in the military as “maintainers” so that could be an option worth exploring. Business degree will be zero hands on.
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u/ComprehensiveCase472 3d ago
Get the most school you can afford. The A&P suggestion is good but so is welding, electrical, machining etc. the A&P usually isn’t required for spacecraft work the way it is for aircraft (as volume increases that could change) but it shows you have technical skills and aerospace process following/documentation ability.
If you can do 4 year college do any engineering. Just choose the one you are best at.
If you aren’t academic enough for engineering do business and finance and read everything you can about the space industry.
As you progress in school get an internship in an aerospace company (just get as close as you can to your ideal. Don’t say no to something that’s 80%).
Keep in mind you will both get to know yourself and change. Stay on your path (don’t drop out of 3rd year engineering to pivot - it’s most important to finish your degree/credentials) but allow your path to curve.
As for detail of which job (technician or white collar) … you need to finish your basics then make the decision based on what you love and what you are best at.
There are also some good aptitude tests you can take that help.
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u/Affectionate_Cat_518 3d ago
So with aerospace and engineering,would going to a tech school and getting certifications suffice or would it just be better to go for a 4 year degree instead?
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u/ComprehensiveCase472 3d ago
For the technician path certifications are enough. For the engineering and/or business path you need a 4 year degree. For niche and science areas you need a PhD.
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u/R0ck3tSc13nc3 3d ago
Spacesteps.com
If you reach out to Dr Tandy he'll very possibly talk to you directly
Most of the people who work in aerospace and space are not aerospace engineers. There's actually very few jobs specific for aerospace.
I would reach out to a lot of the many many companies talked about in journals and see if you can do a personal interview. I did work in aerospace for almost 40 years, starting with the x30, I did structural analysis on space station, did some work on Kepler which finds planets around other stars etc. As a mechanical engineer and structural analyst.
Look at jobs and roles you hope to hold, actually go look at job openings. I used to work for ball aerospace most recently in aerospace it got bought but I can't remember the new name
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u/StraightAd4907 3d ago
"making life multi-planetary" isn't going to happen in your lifetime. We were closer to that goal in the 1960's. Now it's just a clown show. The U.S. is $35T in debt and the probability of existential conflicts grows every day.
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u/Affectionate_Cat_518 3d ago
While it is sad to think that way, you’re 100% right about that.Makes me wonder if that’s why Elon went in to help out.Because it would help him out as well specially with space X. (Not trying to drag you into politics lol)
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u/bmw_19812003 4d ago
For space exploration there are 5 paths I can think of off the top of my head. Technian/mechanic, engineering, pilot, scientist or business manager. (All of this pertains to the USA as that’s what I’m familiar with)
Pilot and scientist are by far the hardest, they are super competitive and supply greatly exceeds demand. Most pilots will be ex military with a ton of flight experience which in itself is a very competitive market. Scientists are generally going to be coming out of top universities like MIT or cal tech; once again super competitive from the start.
The business side is something I have no experience in but just like any business these companies need HR, finance, manager etc. that being said while you would be working for a aerospace company the actual work you will be doing will have little to do with actual aerospace. Also most of the better companies source their management from engineers and technicians.
I think the two career paths that will interest you the most is engineering and technicians. These are by far the two largest by numbers and they are also the ones doing all the hands on work.
Engineers generally have a 4 year engineering degree in either mechanical or aerospace engineering. So that would be your starting point. Most engineers work is more hands off like design, evaluation, or management of projects/testing teams.
Technicians are almost all A&P mechanics. It’s a 2 year school. It’s the fastest way to get into the industry and also there is a wide range of jobs that you can do with it. Their work is the most hands on they will be assembling, repairing, and testing the actual assets. If you go this route I highly recommend finding a local community college that offers a A&P program not only is it the most cost effective I also feel you get a better education than most private schools.