Next Frontier Industry Spotlight

Aerospace

What is Aerospace?

Aerospace engineering is the primary field of engineering concerned with the design, development, testing, and production of aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems and equipment. The field has traditionally focused on problems related to atmospheric and space flight, with two major and overlapping branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering. (Source)
At-A-Glance

$431b

Global Market Size
(by 2025)

$286b

VC funding into Aerospace start-ups since 2014

71k

Aerospace Engineering jobs in 2023

$131k

Average annual salary of Aerospace professionals

Aerospace Pathways

Everything you need to know to begin your own Aerospace career!

Next Frontier Industry Roadmap:
Aerospace

Want to start a career in Aerospace but don't know where to begin? Start here!

  1.  Do your research

Make sure you're well-versed in the basics. What is Aerospace? What's driving it? Who are the innovators? What types of Aerospace jobs exist? What are the major Aerospace companies? If you're interested in a specific company, be sure to learn about its culture and values. This can make a huge difference in your job search! 

2. Hone your "soft" skills

  • Problem-solving: When aerospace engineers must reduce fuel consumption, improve safety credentials, and reduce production costs, these skills help them meet the demands. (Source)
  • Teamwork: There are many engineering tasks that you will do alone. Writing code is a good example. Individuals can’t complete large engineering projects alone, however. Instead, they require teams and, by extension, teamwork. As a result, teamwork is usually a non-negotiable soft skill in aerospace engineering. In other words, employers want you to be just as committed to successfully achieving team and company goals as you are to personal goals. (Source)

3. Learn the essentials

Most aerospace employers will require at least a Bachelor's degree. You should also:
  • Have a strong foundation in advanced mathematics, such as linear algebra and Calculus, as well as chemistry and physics
  • Be proficient in programming languages such as C++ and MATLAB
  • Know how to use computer-aided design (CAD) software platforms such as SolidWorks

4. Build your portfolio

Be sure to include any relevant experience or projects you've completed, including internships, coursework, participation in robotics/rocketry clubs, or even submissions to science fairs. Include CAD models, prototypes, or any other visuals that demonstrate your skills and expertise.
Also make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date with your latest experiences and accomplishments and optimized using our Base 11 LinkedIn Optimization Guide.

5. Gain hands-on experience

Start looking for internships as early as your freshman year of college! Many companies, organizations, and government facilities have spots for freshmen. Once you get your foot in the door of a company, you may find it’s a pipeline to a full-time position. Some top aerospace organizations that are really competitive are NASA Pathways (a co-op deal), SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Aerospace Corporation, NASA JPL, and several smaller contracting companies. (Source)

6. Engage your community

Cultivate your network with a Base 11 community of like-minded individuals that you can connect with today using the community feature built right into this platform! We have a thriving community of students, early-career adults, and professionals on our discussion forums who can share insights, give advice, and help you on your STEM journey.
A Day in the Life of an

Aerospace Engineer

Coming Soon: experience what a day in the life of an aerospace engineering professional is like!
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Additional Resources

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Jobs & Internships

Exclusive opportunities including academic and professional internships as well as jobs from our Next Frontier Partners 

Courses & Training

Free and discounted courses and training programs designed to accelerate members into the STEM career of their dreams

Innovation Challenges

Solve real-world problems posed by top companies in STEM and earn cash prizes as well as potential employment opportunities

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