How the Aerospace Engineering Major Prepares You for the Job Market
Aerospace engineering is a complex field comprised of many disciplines of study. Engineers must possess the knowledge of basic sciences and mathematics in order to work in the field. Aerospace engineers design, develop, produce, and test new aerospace vehicles, such as military jets and commercial aircrafts. To do so, they must consider many factors that would affect flight, such as the aerodynamics of the aircraftís shape and exterior and the sturdiness and weight of the materials used. They must also factor in the safety of the aircraft and develop accurate navigational and emergency systems. Finally, the comfort of the passengers aboard the aircraft must be taken into account, so engineers are also responsible for figuring out ways to pressurize the vehicle in high altitudes. The aerospace engineering major provides students with courses that build their understanding of flight mechanics, flight propulsion, aerospace design, and many other related topics. This educational background enables aerospace engineering graduates to quickly join in the work force because they already possess the technical skills and knowledge required in the field.

Best Career Paths for Aerospace Engineering Majors
Aerospace engineering majors are prime candidates for working with airline industries and government aerospace organizations, according to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. The best career paths for an aerospace engineering major are:

• Aerospace Engineer. Aerospace engineers can specialize either in aeronautics or astronautics. Aeronautical engineers work either with developing and improving commercial aircrafts, military jets, helicopters, or missiles. They work on creating the design of the craft itself as well as its instruments and communication equipment. An astronautical engineer does essentially the same work as an aeronautical engineer, except they work with spaceships and rockets rather than aircrafts. The average annual salary for aerospace engineers, which includes both aeronautical and astronautical engineers, is approximately $87,610, though salaries tend to increase as the engineerís degree level increases, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For example, an aerospace engineer with a bachelorís degree in the field earns about $53,408 annually, whereas an engineer with a masterís degree earns about $62,459 annually.
• Pilot. Pilots are responsible for the safe transportation of cargo and passengers on an aircraft from one location to another. They fly airplanes, often working with either commercial airlines, the government, delivery services, or private individuals. Pilots must be proficient in operating an aircraft safely, as well as keeping within the regulations of air space laws. They communicate with air controllers to avoid disasterous collisions, as well as to give people on the ground updates to their progress in the sky. Commercial pilots earn an average salary of $65,340, according to the Bureau.

How to Market Your Aerospace Engineering Degree
Earning an aerospace engineering degree is an important step towards starting your career in the aerospace industry. However, you will also need to know how to market your degree to potential employers in order to prove to them that your education makes you an excellent candidate for the open position. The best way to market your education is to be specific about the skill sets you learned in class. For example, on your job application cover letter, specify some of the most challenging and relevant courses you took while in school and explain what you learned from it. For example, you may mention that you worked on a big project for your flight mechanics class where you successfully built a small-scale aircraft. Be sure to mention all of the challenging projects you tackled and how those projects helped you hone your skills in the field. Reassuring employers that your educational background helped you develop real-world skills is the most effective way of marketing your aerospace engineering degree.