Research Assessment #1

Date: 13 September 2017

Subject: Aerospace Engineering

MLA citations:

RyersonCareer. YouTube, YouTube, 7 Sept. 2011, www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCGx-HnvqGA.

Accessed 15 Sept. 2017.

YouTube, YouTube, 13 Apr. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxInAzfCN1w. Accessed 15

Sept. 2017.

Assessment:

In these early stage of discovering my topic of aerospace engineering, I wanted to focus

on the first steps of launching a successful career: college. As a senior in high school, the topic of
college is immensely relevant and can be either a great boost or noose for my future. The major
question that needed answering with this research assessment was: Should my major in college
be aerospace engineering and what benefits will such a major allow me in the future? I have
always struggled between the topics of aerospace and mechanical engineering due to their
equality in pros, cons, and subject matter. The subject of aerospace engineering is more in line
with my passion for space exploration, but mechanical engineering is a more practical and
versatile choice in the business world today. With these thoughts plaguing my mind I set out to
look for answers from a people I knew would have some answers: college students majoring in
aerospace engineering. Through the two videos I watched, I learned the valuable skills aerospace
classes give, the benefits of working in aerospace labs, and the versatility of aerospace from
those who were in my shoes just a few years before.

In the struggle between choosing an aerospace or mechanical engineering major, I

wanted to know what advantages aerospace had over the other. With A Closer Look- Aerospace
Engineering, the student Daniel stressed that the skills of troubleshooting, communication, and
software development that he learned in class were extremely helpful in his work. Some of these
skills can only be learned in an aerospace environment, especially software, due to the different
applications of different majors. I know that in any aerospace job, the skills of teamwork and
technology are a must, because those two characteristics make up a large part of an aerospace
engineers daily job. As Daniel mentioned, by learning those skills in an aerospace oriented
environment, it would much easier to translate them into a work environment and achieve
success. If I wanted to go into an aerospace job after college, as is my plan currently, then such
skills that students learn in the classroom would be invaluable.
 Like Daniel, Ariel Sandberg, from the second video I watched, also gained invaluable
skills and knowledge while pursuing an aerospace degree, but in a very different capacity.
Whereas Daniels insight provided more of a classical classroom benefit, Ariels insight shows
how students in aerospace engineering can solve real-world problems as part of their
coursework. She shows how students may design and build machines like solar panels for actual
corporations in aerospace labs. This concept completely blew my mind and greatly increased my
excitement for the major of aerospace engineering. I knew before watching that students would
complete lab work as part of their studies, but I didnt imagine something of the scale of real
world application and use. With this major, I would maybe get the chance to help solve real
space travel problems and collaborate with major companies as part of my coursework instead of
the normal internship route. With this information at the forefront of my mind, the choice
between aerospace engineering and mechanical is a lot clearer.

Also from Ariel, I learned that contrary to my belief, aerospace engineering is just as
versatile as mechanical. Ariel wanted to use her engineering degree to become a space advocate
and write about the importance of space exploration. I had never considered that one might use
an aerospace engineering degree in this manner, and the fact that it is possible opened my mind
up to a whole universe of other possibilities that might exist that align with all of my passions.
The knowledge that I am not tied down to a specific job after attaining the aerospace degree is
freeing. That fear of not being able to have job security was one of the greatest cons in choosing
the aerospace major, but as long as imagination and innovation continues, that will not continue
to be a negative for me.

After watching and learning from those two videos, I know that the aerospace major is
the right one for me. I might still have some doubts about the job itself, but I am sure about my
steps in ISM and in college, which is one step closer to success. Learning aerospace engineering
in college will allow me to immerse myself in the process of space exploration and finally learn
about topics I am actually interested in. And I cannot wait to engross myself in my mysteries of
space. Like Ariel says, I believe that space is the best of what we are, there is a purity to it; to
investigate the far reaches of our solar system just for our own philosophical and scientific
betterment. It is incredibly important and worth pursuing in my future.
 Notes

A Closer Look Aerospace Engineering:

- Linked in is a valuable resource

- It can help find jobs and contacts
- Classes helps with troubleshooting, communication, and software in the real world
- A professor-student relationship will expand your network
- Start a portfolio immediately
- Constantly update your resume
- Most important advice: take initiative
- Try being a leader, follower, technology person, etc. in school so you are sure of what
you want outside of school
- Teamwork is incredibly important

Meet an Aerospace Engineering Student: Ariel Sandberg

- With interests in astronomy and mechanical hardware, aerospace engineering was a

perfect choice
- Exploration of space and knowledge
- Versatility in aerospace- solar panels, aerodynamics, rockets, etc.
- College lab missions research, design, build and test solar panels
- Unique learning opportunity in aerospace labs
- With writing, she wants to become a space advocate
- Uses her degree for credibility
- Mixes her two passions (writing + space)
- Space explorations will be immensely important in the upcoming decades