Expert: Mark Janus - 11/30/2010

Question
Hello, My name is Zack and I plan on studying as an Aerospace Engineer. I am going to enter a university in Japan, but before that they are going to take an interview from me..
Here are my questions.
1.I know that Aerospace engineer build and design aircraft, missiles etc, but in my country it's impossible to build because there are no constructing factories. All we have are airports. But the university is going to ask me what are you going to do for you country when you graduate from our school? I can't just say i will design and build aircraft in my country, because it's impossible. What other things can I do, excluding designing or building aircraft??

2. I read a lot about Aerospace engineer but still confused. I read that the Aerospace engineer divides into segments like navigation and control systems, and I plan on going with it.. So what exactly does it do and if i study with it ( plan on constructing aircraft, but navigation and control systems is not about it!?) will I still be able to construct and design at other countries??


Thank you so much sir.

Answer
Only you know what you plan to do with your degree (in your country)... and if you don't, you may question yourself why you want to study in this field...

I know that aero engineers do a whole lot of things other than design and build aircraft...  aerodynamics is a huge part of aerospace... (wind turbines operate via large wings for example)....  structures... aerospace structures must be optimized for high strength and low weight which is very useful even outside of our field...

navigation and controls is very akin to electrical engineering and hence has applications outside of aero

Hope this helps a little,
mj