Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 3/19/2010

Question
I am planning on joining the Air Force as an aerospace engineer, and as such I had a few questions that I would like to be answered:

What is a typical day like for you?
What are the best aspects of this profession?
What are the least desirable aspects of this profession?
What does it take to succeed?
What educational background is required?
Are there related jobs?
What professional organizations or associations are affiliated with this career?
Are there any hot topics or controversial issues associated with this career?
Are there any magazines or periodicals that people in this field typically read?
Are there any books, TV shows, or movies that adequately portray people in this profession?
What does the future hold for this particular career?
What kind of quality of life does this career afford?

Some of the questions seem odd, this being because this is technically part of an English assignment I have to do; I need to interview an expert in the work field that I am interested in. However, despite the original motive, these questions still apply to me, and I would appreciate your input. Even though you might not be an aerospace engineer, I think that being in the Air Force is a major part of my career, not just what I do in the Air Force. Any input you can give would be most beneficial, thank you.

Answer
Andrew,
I was given your question to answer while others are away.
Wow - That quite a shopping list of questions you have there.  I'll do my best to answer your concerns.

1.  Since you want to be an aerospace engineer I assume you wish to become an officer because only officers are engineers.  Did you have in mind to be a pilot? (Because many of them are aerospace engineers# or strictly a Research %26 Development type engineer designing things?

2.  No way you'd want MY hectic job #base commander# until you've had many years of AF experience.  If you give me an answer to #1 then I can tell you what that job would be like.

3.  The best aspect of this profession is knowing you're working to support a greater cause #your country# and not just supporting yourself and/or a family.  Also, what you learn is awesome.  It's amazing how much civilian life is run like the military.  Major corporations are run very similar to the military organizations.  For instance, my job as a base commander is like being the mayor of a city.  Someday when I retire I'm confident that I can do almost any job out there in civilian life #except maybe brain surgeon#.

4.  If there are any less desirable aspects of an AF profession I honestly don't know what they are.  I love every minute of every time I wear a uniform.  Some people don't take orders very well and therefore don't like that part.  Everybody has a boss.  Even the president of the U.S. answers to the U.S. citizens and Congress.  If my boss asks me to do something...I have no problem doing it.  Maybe if you want to travel and see the world as an aerospace engineer you'll probably only get to see the great state of Ohio with occasional trips to Massachusetts.  That's where all the AF engineers are assigned.

5.  As with any job, to succeed you need to do your absolute best.  Even it it's digging a ditch...I want to be the best ditch digger there is.  Learn every facet of your current job.  Military officers are expected to have a BREADTH of knowledge, not a DEPTH of knowledge.  A person who knows a little bit about a lot of things is more desirable than a person who does just one thing extremely well.  You might be the world's best tire changer, but somebody who understands a little bit of all the car parts is more valuable.

6.  Again, your answer to #1 will depend on the educational background necessary.  In general, a Bachelor's Degree in ANYTHING will get you into the Air Force as an officer, but your specific job in the AF will determine what is required.  If you wish to be an aerospace engineer then it only makes sense to obtain a degree in aerospace engineering.

The reason that your degree can be in anything, is that the military wants to see if you have the dedication to see a job through to completion, and what better way to do that than to stick-with-it until you've earned a 4-year degree?  Later on, after you've had about 8 years in Service, they'll ask you to obtain a Master's Degree #at their expense#.  You can go on to obtain as much education as you like.  This proves you're constantly learning.  As an example, I have two Ph.D.'s.  I didn't NEED them, I just WANTED them.

7.  There are many civilian jobs as an aerospace engineer.  The majority of NASA employees are ex-military.  The same with the major aircraft manufacturers.  Boeing, as well as Lockheed-Martin constantly recruits from within the military.  Most of them pay between $120,000 - $140,000 /year.

8.  There are many military and civilian professional organizations and associations affiliated with aerospace engineering.  Most of them you can join NOW in anticipation of your career for less than $50 per year.  It never hurts to plan ahead.  Perhaps the best is the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics #AIAA).  Check out their website at www.aiaa.org

9.  By looking at the AIAA website in #8 you will see the hot topics and controversial issues.  For the AF it's designing a reusable space vehicle to replace the shuttle.

10.  Again, I refer you to the AIAA website.

11.  Have you ever seen Tom Hanks in Apollo 13?  The engineers on the ground are working fervishly to solve the astronauts problems with limited power, loss of cabin heat, shortage of potable water, and the critical need to jury-rig the carbon dioxide removal system.  If I was Captain Lovell I would have been worried about the waste removal system because my pants would've been full during that crisis.

12.  The future of aerospace depends heavily upon politics.  When the economy improves, the space program will pick up and the military will receive additional funding for new aircraft, space platforms, etc.  Because of the advanced knowledge of aerospace engineers they're highly qualified for just about anything if the need arises.  If the economy stays bad and people are scrounging for jobs, who would you hire to work on your car?...an ex-cop or a former aerospace engineer?
3.  From what I've seen their quality of life is great.  AF officers in general have it great.  I don't think I could've picked a better occupation than being an AF officer.

If I can help any more, just ask.
Colonel Howell