I want to know if I can succeed as an Aerospace Engineer major

[AstroPhysics Enthusiast]

I am a current student at Texas A&M University. I am changing majors from Industrial Distribution to (speculatively) Aerospace Engineering. The only thing holding me back is the "natural intellect factor". Basically want to know that if I put forth the effort and time, will I succeed? I have an outright passion for physics and anything space related. Because of this, I would specialize in astronautics rather than aeronautics. I enjoy my physics and calculus classes and am an A-B student with around a 3.4 GPA. My dream, as most other aerospace engineers with specialization in astronautics, is to develop and design any sort of craft, satellite, vehicle that would be used in space. I am looking for any feedback that outlines what "type" of person succeeds in this major and what does it take to be successful. More specifically: Is this possible or is it just a dream such as wanting to play professional sports in the MLB, NFL, Premier League, etc. Thank you for your feedback!

[CharonY]

I cannot comment specifically on anything regarding aeronautics for reasons of having no clue about degrees and potential careers in this area (though I would think that the market is not terribly big).

In the years in academia I have not yet found a single example of natural intellect factor. The important bit is not only to put efforts into something (anything you want to master, really) but also enjoying putting the efforts it. If you do not like what you do it is going to be an uphill struggle. You can still succeed but you would have to utilize a disproportionate amount of time as you will lack of in focus and motivation.

Also you have to be certain that your "passion" also includes (and in the end, is dominated) by the day-to-day things that the degree entails. I.e. it is not about designing fancy spaceships or create giant mutant monsters (for totally unrelated example on which I am certainly not working on) but the nuts and bolts of its elements that you will have to be interested in.

 

If you think that is the case and you can get and stay motivated (really, it is a marathon, not a sprint), I see no fundamental reason why you should not succeed. And, on a final note, an academic career is sometimes indeed compared to a sports or rock star career (except of course for the money, sex and drugs... well, recreational ones at least). The reason being that only a smallish fraction will be able to stay in academia there is immense competition, cut-throat system and so on. However, a degree in engineering obviously also allows for jobs in industry, so that is not too bad in that regards. Getting a degree is really the easy part and again there is no fundamental reason why one should not be able to get one. The better question is what to do afterwards as the degree never guarantees a career.

Edited February 25, 2013 by CharonY

[AstroPhysics Enthusiast]

Thank you for the response, it is much appreciated. Regarding some of the "nuts and bolts of its elements", my favorite subjects are physics, math/calculus and I am further interested in technology, innovation, and space. Even though physics and math can get pretty advanced, difficult and frustrating at times, I still think I have enough passion to "finish the marathon". Any other nuts and bolts of the elements of aerospace engineering I will not come across until taking some classes and learning more about it. The thing that makes me the most uneasy about it is I am more interested in the astronautical side of the field and worry that the chances are too low to land a job in the astronautical side. What happens if I do not get the chance to work in the astronautical field and will have to, for example, work for a car company analyzing a new model's aerodynamics. This would not be something i am interested in enough to enjoy a career in. Are my standards too high to have a good chance at being happy with what happens after I receive my degree?

Also, I as far as the academics go, I am willing to ride my education until something prevents me from going any further, whether that be money, family, or simply not getting accepted into a Master's or PhD program.