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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]This is a great thread, very interesting. Any advice from the engineers here on your thoughts between a mechanical engineering focus vs an aero focus? My son will soon begin his second semester and will need to make this decision somewhat soon. He’s in a general first-year engineering program now, which is where all Eng students start at his school. He’s really unsure which way to go. Both are very popular and hard to get into at his school, but he should have a shot at either hopefully. And he’s interested in both, so he’s trying to weigh the pros, cons, etc and will spend some time talking to his Advisor. But I thought I’d throw the question out here.

And a note to those asking about engineering and difficulty - it’s tough. My son did really well his first semester (he’s at Purdue), but it was with A LOT of work. I assume it will only get more difficult! One thing I will say is that he felt very prepared and felt his NoVA HS did a good job getting him ready. [/quote]

I'm the woman who wrote a few posts ago about sobbing in my parents house sophomore year.  After that, I switched from MechE to Aero.  It wasn't easier (in fact I'd argue that in some ways aero is harder, although they are very similar curriculum) but I was excited and passionate about the aero classes in a way that I wasn't about Mechanical.  The PP is probably true that MechE is more broadly hire-able, but I graduated with several job offers and 27 years into an Aero career I've never had a hard time getting a job.  I've also found that Aero engineers are often more passionate/excited about their jobs that a typical MechE/EE who maybe falls into the "like math, seems like an ok job" career path.  I genuinely like the people I work with.[/quote]

Not too many schools offer aero as a major though. It's mechanical, with perhaps an aero focus.

But yeah, passion is pretty critical. Do you want to build a plane? Do you want to build a rocket?

If that's not exciting when you're 19, it might not be the best major. The grind is real. There has to be a purpose.[/quote]

Agree on passion!  I started as an aero/astro major because I loved the idea of space exploration but I got super depressed looking ahead at my required course load of fluid mechanics and similar.  I ended up switching to computer engineering, where I was excited about 90% of the classes rather than preparing to grit my teeth through 90% of the classes.  Best choice I ever made, and am very happy in my career as a result.[/quote]

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