Expert: Ray Wilkinson - 3/23/2009

Question
I am doing a degree aerospace technology at a UK university, and as placement are hard to come by for next year, i would just like to now if i finished my degree and got at least a 2-1 in it. what would i need to do next to become qualified to actually work on an aircraft as an engineer.what licenses would i need to go for and how to get them. thank you kind regards.

Answer
Hi Mohamed

There are two main routes for those wanting to pursue a career working on aircraft - to get a degree or to become a licensed engineer. Although there are one or two universities trying to combine them, they are not the same type of work at all. Licensed engineers are like mechanics, but much higher qualified and trained, and he work is essentially manual work. Those who are degree qualified are equipped to work on design, operations or project management, so at a different level altogether.

While it's possible for you to obtain licenses, with appropriate training, it's very much like starting again, as your degree is unlikely to get you any closer.

I'd suggest that you put a lot of effort into trying to get a placement - many companies will offer placement students a job at the end if they do well on their placement, so consider it a year-long interview. Employing a placement student when they graduate not only means they are a known quantity, but also that they are able to become effective much faster than someone who doesn't know the company and its working methods at all. This may mean that the work put into gaining a placement doesn't have to be repeated when you graduate. Of course, the company you go to may not offer you a job for a number of reasons, but at least you should then have had some interview practice, and also have experience to offer a future employer - a valuable commodity that can lift you above other candidates.

Good luck, whichever path you decide to follow.