Expert: Paul Soderman - 5/30/2004

Question
hi,
i write from kerala in india doing my +2 and wish taking up aeronautical engg next year. i know what the job is all about. i hav scored 92% in my cbse 10th grade exam. im not sure if this is good enough a mark for the job speaking acadamically, and wish to know if someone of my standard would get a job in the same abroad or does aero engg ask for more.

my family doesnt like me going for aero engg saying it is less of scope. is it well paid? is it too hard to get a job in the field?

ARE there options to take btech in mechanical engg and then mtech in aeronautics.

please reply soon


Answer
Hi George

I can't answer your first question because I don't know what a cbse 10th grade exam is.  Suffice it to say that if you do well in math and science you can do well in aeronautical engineering.  As to the pay, it is better than some engineering fields, not as good as others.  But it is very adequate.  Job opportunities exist, but are limited by the reduction of new aircraft development programs in this country and elsewhere.  However, aircraft are not going away so there will always be a need for someone who undertands aerodynamics.  Mechanical engineering is very close to aero, but requires a slightly different academic track.  Bio tech has some similarities to aero, such as fluid mechanics, but the bio part is unfamiliar to most aero engineers.  Good luck.

Paul