Aerospace Engineering
By: Jordan Ambs
School is (Somewhat) cool
The absolute minimum an aerospace engineer needs is a college Bachelor's degree; however, depending upon the work that he or she wishes to pursue, a Master's or perhaps even Doctorate's degree may be the only option that will suffice. Higher options include such careers as a college professor of the subject, managers of other aerospace engineers, etc. Those that do not wish to directly build the planes and rockets may also help in designing, testing, or managing them.
Day to Day Operations
Aerospace engineering started with the first flight by man and as such, is concerned with the design, construction, and maintenance of any vehicle that travels above the surface of the earth. This includes both airborne vehicles as well space going vehicles. Aerospace engineers use math, science, and physics everyday in the balancing of the forces of lift, gravity, thrust, and resistance in order to successfully control the vehicle's path through the air or space.
Show me the money
The starting salary for an aerospace engineer depends heavily on the amount of schooling he or she has had. Engineers with a Bachelor's degree earn an average of $53,000 a year at first year, with a Master's degree earn an average of $64,000 a year to start, and with a Doctorate's degree earn an average of $74,000 a year for a beginning wage. Through many years of experience, however, an aerospace engineer may make up to $155,000 a year.
Citations
1st image: http://amyshirateitel.com/2010/12/18/the-x-15-as-space-plane/
2nd image: http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2073703_2073653_2073679,00.html
Salary information: http://www.careercornerstone.org/pdf/aerospace/aeroeng.pdf