Expert: Ray Wilkinson - 1/24/2009

Question
Hi,

I have read your profile and i have to say that i am very impressed.

However, the main reason i am on here is to ask a question regarding becoming an Aeronautical Engineer. Not for me but for my younger brother.

He really enjoys Maths, Physics and Engineering so being an Aero Engineer popped into mind.

How would my brother go about the doing this? I understand he would have to do some kind of Honours degree but he needs advice for what to do before this and then which Degree to go for.

I would really appreciate your professional advice and incite into this matter.

many thanks

Andrew Stirling

Answer
Hi Andrew

Thanks for the compliment. I pursued a normal engineering career, and there's no reason why your brother can't do the same. Just remember that the aerospace industry is at least as prone to boom and bust as any other.

I'm assuming that he's in the UK - if he's anywhere else he will need advice from someone more local than me.

The subjects you mentioned are exactly the subjects he'll need - in particular, good maths is very important as all engineers will at some stage have to get involved with hard sums. If he wants to become a chartered engineer, then he will need an Honours degree to get the simplest route. An MEng degree, assuming it is fully accredited, will result in better employability and a faster route to Chartered Engineer. Most take an extra year, and transfer between BEng and MEng during the course is normally possible in Universities that run both (some don't).

The University is very much a matter of choice, but there are two main things to consider. Firstly, the reputation of the University - this is not simply a matter of finding the highest in some league table or other, as some of the top Universities tend to produce boffins rather than practical engineers. This is fine if he sees a future in research or academia, but many companies need engineers that have good practical understanding. My own institution, the University of Hertfordshire, prides itself in producing practically oriented graduates rather than boffins, but there are of course many others (so this doesn't turn into a UH advert).

Secondly, your brother will be spending three, four or maybe even five years there, so a pleasant environment (the people and the location) may be important. An extra year (normally the third) spent on an industrial placement in industry is very useful, is a paid post and often results in an offer on graduation from the placement company. Employability is much improved and allows the graduate to lift out of the 'pack'. We find that final-year performance is often improved, resulting in a better degree classification.

If you or your brother would like to discuss an application to us, or would like to come on an open day and see our facilities, please feel free to give me a call on 01707 284298 or leave a message for me on 01707 284253 (I'm out of the office a lot). He can also take a look at our website at http://www.herts.ac.uk/courses/schools-of-study/aerospace-automotive-and-design-...

Good luck to him with his chosen career, whatever he chooses to do.