Expert: Paul Soderman - 11/26/2008

Question
Dear Paul

I am pretty much impressed by the suggestions you give to the people and this time I am sure I’ll get what I am looking for. I am a hopeless mechanical engineer to be honest. I have a degree in mechanical engineering which is now seven years old. During these seven years of my career, I was just employed two years as a mechanical engineer. To be honest, I am very good in mathematics and other engineering subjects and finished my degree with very good CGPA too and consider myself very creative and curious type of person. However, in real life I was never lucky enough to get my dream job. Now I am totally hopeless about my career as a mechanical engineer coz after seven years I feel like my skill and creativity has been rusted already. This is why I am thinking about studying aerospace engineering which was always my passion. spending another three years for degree sounds odd to me(which might not be, what you think?) and doing one year post grad in aerospace feels like I wont get enough knowledge to keep my confidence up. I am totally lost and in dilemma. Please help me with good suggestion. I have great hope that you would definitely suggest me to sort out this problem. This question is now too long so I have got to stop here. Many thanks

kind regards
Rohit


Answer
Rohit
Going back to school to restart a career is a good option.  With your degree and experience you might be able to design a program that suits your needs and does not take three years.  You probably have most of the required course credits in basic engineering and could brush up on any math or fluid mechanic and aero courses you need to get an aero degree.  I suggest visiting an engineering school that you might like and talk to the chairman of the Aero Engineering department.  He could suggest a program that would get you up to speed in short order and tell you what is required to get into  grad school.  A masters degree would really help your job opportunities.
Paul