Job Prospects for Mechanical and/or Aerospace

Question: Dear Mam, since childhood my daughter used to see the discovery channel and was very much impressed by the Aeronautical Engineers. Now she has completed her schooling and is likely to join college for Mechanical Engineering. After that she wants to do her masters degree in Aeronautical Engineering. I am a little bit confused about her decision regading the job prospects. Can you please help me? Its urgent.
posted by shikha, delhi on March 29, 2012

Answer by Missy Cummings

I think your daughters plan is an excellent one. Mechanical Engineering is a more general degree than Aerospace Engineering, with significant overlap in many of the courses. In fact, in the US, many departments are combined Mechanical and Aerospace. As far as job prospects, both degrees open many doors and one degree will not likely be better than the other. In the US, companies like the fact that engineers know how to work hard, focus, and develop evidenced-based solutions for problems. At MIT, many Aerospace Engineers actually get hired by financial companies because of their mathematical abilities! So you should not worry too much about her desire to choose Mechanical Aerospace, both will provide her an excellent foundation. Mary (Missy) Cummings