Expert: Ray Wilkinson - 8/26/2006

Question
hello ray,

I have completed my bachelors in electronics and communication engineering. i look forward to do my masters in aerospace/aeronautics.

first of all which industry would be more preferable aerospace or aeronautics ? (according to market conditions) and what is the job scenario in US for these two industries ?

secondly, a masters from a good university does surely gets a job, but does a moderately ranked university (like in 40's to 70's rank according to US-news) get u a job too?

how secure is the aerospace/aerunautical industry in the coming years for pursuing masters in it.

Answer
Hi Anant

Congratulations on completing your Bachelor degree. I would say currently that aeronautics would be an easier industry than astronautics for getting a job, as it's a much bigger industry. However, it does depend where you are, as some areas have a strong astronautics industry locally. Remember there are many second- and third-tier suppliers, as well as the major names, and many graduates work in companies most people have never heard of. These smaller companies can be excellent to work for, as there can be opportunities for progression there, and you usually get to see the whole product, and much of the development cycle. In the very large companies, you may never see the finished product.

However, I believe the astronautics industry is going to grow rapidly over the next decade or so and beyond, because of space tourism. Richard Branson has formed Virgin Galactic, with Burt Rutan's SpaceShip Two, and plans to fly his first paying paseengers into space in 2008 or 2009. This WILL happen. Also, there are three spaceports about to be built (New Mexico, USA, Dubai and Singapore), and the New Mexico site is already under construction.

Secondly. it isn't the degree that gets the job, it's the person who holds it. Having the degree only gets you to the interview - you then have to convince the employer you are the right person to be offered the job. A mid-sized (500 employees) company near me is based in a city with a world-famous University, but never employs anyone from there, because they tend to be boffins rather than practical engineers. They actually take more graduates from the University where I work than anywhere else, even though we are not a top-ranking University. I can't comment on the US situation I'm afraid, as I'm not up to date on it.

Finally, the industry is notoriously 'boom and bust'. In the 11 years I worked in the industry before becoming an academic, I faced redundancy twice, although I was never actually laid off. It's heavily dependent on confidence (civil) and government policy (military). Think September 11th and Iraq. This won't change, so you just have to accept it, I'm afraid.

I hope this helps you, and good luck.

Regards

Ray.