Aerospace engineering design

Education

The most common way into aerospace design is through studying a relevant degree at university, following on from A-levels (or equivalent) in maths, physics and another subject. There are over 30 aerospace and aeronautical engineering degrees in the UK, many of which are accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS), helping you on the route to chartered engineer status. There are also specialist undergraduate degrees such as engineering with management or space systems engineering.

The content of aerospace and aeronautical engineering degrees now tends to be similar; a more important distinction is between the BEng (three-year, degree level) or MEng (four-year, Masters level) programmes. Often employers demand an MEng degree, as a Masters qualification is an essential component for chartered engineering status. However, most also accept a BEng with a separate MSc which you may prefer if you want to specialise in a particular aeronautical field at postgraduate level. Lots of employers also accept BEng graduates, but many require at least a 2.2 for entry onto their graduate programmes. Some also take A-level results into account, so if yours are of concern, seek advice!

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Alternatives

The career choices in aerospace don’t end with flying and engineering. Consider:

• Airport and airline operations: specialist degrees now exist in this area
• Regulation: engineers, lawyers, human factors experts and medical teams work to ensure crew and passenger safety through aircraft design and safety regulations
• Air traffic control: monitoring the thousands of aircraft flying in UK airspace each day requires highly numerate and confident individuals, and is well remunerated!

Getting ahead

Whichever area you choose, as well as completing academic or vocational training, being able to offer the right skills is vital for the workplace. While an aeronautical engineer, pilot or airline executive will use very different professional knowledge to carry out their duties, they will use similar skills to apply it effectively, such as communication or problem-solving. These skills are transferable because they can be developed in other contexts and enhance employability, as possessing them makes candidates more appealing to potential employers. Skills can vary from the intangible – such as teamworking, innovation or leadership – to more easily measured proficiencies that you learn both inside and outside the classroom, such as IT or languages, acquired through formal qualifications. Simply listing skills on your CV is not enough; you will need to provide evidence, based on your experiences gained up to the point of your application. This includes your studies, work experience (industrial placements, voluntary or community work and part-time jobs all develop skills), sports – good for teamwork skills – and extra-curricular activities, such as college or university societies where you have taken an active role.

How would you illustrate and articulate examples on your CV or application form, or – if the former go well – at an interview? It is worth spending time preparing your examples before you even start applying for placements or jobs. Aim to produce a set of examples that are original, interesting and make you stand out from the crowd. However, don’t forget that the application process is not just about you! Take some time also to research the company you are applying for – through press articles, annual reports, conferences or lectures you have attended – and use this research in your application to prove your motivation. get all of that right and your career could well climb to the very highest altitude!

Web watch

• RAeS Careers Library Advice on entry routes, job hunting and making applications www.raes.org.uk/careers
• Pilot training Organisations that promote training options for young pilots in the UK www.gapan.org, www.airleague.co.uk
• Apprenticeships Sites where potential apprentices can meet their potential employers www.apprentices.co.uk, www.lsc.gov.uk