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March, 2025

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Aerospace engineering or Environmental science

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Iliveinutah
Posts: 1250 - Karma: 5,147
So I'm going on my sophomore year at my lowly community college, and i started out thinking about environmental science as a major.. and i set forth to get my AS degree (associates in science) then transfer to a 4 year school for the environmental degree, likely UNCA ( University of North Carolina Asheville).

I mainly stayed away from engineering because i saw my self as bad at math yet good at science. Now with college level math classes under my belt i have found out i was just a lazy fuck in high school. It was more of a self discovery really that made me discover that aerospace may actually be the best fit for me, as i was the kid that was always making rockets and planes, and i still am known to fabricate and design what i can for myself if it helps save money or if i can't find what i need. Yet i did extremely shitty in high school graduating with a 2.3 GPA with a total of 110 missed days over 4 years. i also fucked around my first semester in college and fucked my gpa rather good. It looks as if the best ill be graduating with is a 3.5 if everything stays going good with my associates.

I am interested to know if anyone on here may be in an aerospace program, or environmental program and can wiegh in, if i should stay my course, or should i switch over to aerospace. and if so what schools i should look at that i will have possibility of getting into. A dream would be MIT but i don't see that actually happening unless i win some astronomical award in the next year or so.. any input would be dope this could be a rather large tipping point for me.

Yea i know it's long sorry.
10 years ago
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kshaughn
Posts: 510 - Karma: 4,574
Think about what field you would like to see yourself doing for the next 15-20 years. If you think you will get bored of ES in 5 years or so, then maybe go down the engineering path.

I thought about doing mechanical engineering when I started undergrad but then decided to get a double major in math and physics and now will hopefully be going to grad school soon for quantitative finance. I realized that I was more into math than the actual engineering, so I decided to switch. One thing to remember is that Aerospace Engineering is a pretty specific field and doesn't have nearly as big of a job market as ES. ES is super popular right now with dedicated environmental companies and large companies that want to be 'greener', so there are plenty of job opportunities and internships. From my general knowledge of engineering, I would assume Aerospace is a highly competitive field which could make it tough to get internships and into top grad schools. Now if you really think you want to do engineering, then you need to fully commit to it and work your ass off to get your GPA up and find some relevant internships. But if you don't think you can fully commit to school and the work it would take, then I would be hesitant about it because of how tough of a field it is. Whichever route you do decide to go down, make sure it is something you love and put in the effort: these next few years can make a big difference for the next 20.
10 years ago
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pat_in_the_hat
Posts: 3019 - Karma: 2,695
i got a bach in m.e. with a minor in aero engineering. I loved the classes. and i really wish i got a job in aerospace. Its my main passion. But I decided to take an engineering job that allowed me to stay in montana, in which aero eng would not have allowed.
that doesnt really answer your question huh...
10 years ago
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corona
Posts: 12833 - Karma: 33,144
Probably more jobs in the environmental science field, but better jobs in aerospace engineering. Just speculating though.
10 years ago
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miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,948
If the only thing holding you back from engineering is your doubts based on your prior academic experiences, then why not go for it? You can adapt your study habits and achieve your goal of an AE degree if you really actually want it.

If it were me, I'd go AE. Seems higher risk but higher reward, and I'm into that. You take risks on the hill, you can do it in other aspects of your life too
10 years ago
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yuck
Posts: 8384 - Karma: 2,090
mech engg student weighing in here, this is obviously more a question of engineering vs. sci really. theres a pretty big difference there, mostly in terms of workload and the amount of math-based courses. im sure aerospace would be just as math-heavy as mechanical is, especially compared to environmental science and even environmental engineering. aerospace programs are also pretty uncommon from what I know, so theyre probably more competitive to get into.

not gonna lie, engineering sucks sometimes. some people thrive in it but its pretty tough on most I would say. that will probably be a pretty big factor in your life for the next 4 years if you choose engineering, so make sure its what you want. it would suck to be 3 years into it and realize you would have preferred the science route.

if you do choose engineering, and you stick with it, when you are done I guarantee you wont regret it. people hire engineers to do all sorts of things so you will have options (despite aerospace being a pretty specific program (and one with a lot of cool opportunities associated))
10 years ago
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Iliveinutah
Posts: 1250 - Karma: 5,147
VinnieFProbably more jobs in the environmental science field, but better jobs in aerospace engineering. Just speculating though.


While yes there are indeed less jobs in the aerospace industry the unemployment rate is something like 3%.. so if i graduate i will more the likely have a job... this is all assuming the data from those surveys are correct

yuckmech engg student weighing in here, this is obviously more a question of engineering vs. sci really. theres a pretty big difference there, mostly in terms of workload and the amount of math-based courses. im sure aerospace would be just as math-heavy as mechanical is, especially compared to environmental science and even environmental engineering. aerospace programs are also pretty uncommon from what I know, so theyre probably more competitive to get into.

not gonna lie, engineering sucks sometimes. some people thrive in it but its pretty tough on most I would say. that will probably be a pretty big factor in your life for the next 4 years if you choose engineering, so make sure its what you want. it would suck to be 3 years into it and realize you would have preferred the science route.

if you do choose engineering, and you stick with it, when you are done I guarantee you wont regret it. people hire engineers to do all sorts of things so you will have options (despite aerospace being a pretty specific program (and one with a lot of cool opportunities associated))


Shockingly much of what i hear about areo and mechanical is that you take the same classes up until the last year.. also mechanical offers a much wider job market.. while areo... well you have the possibility to work on fucking space craft and missiles ... that sounds so dope to me. Sadly to find this degree i will have to move out of state and will likely graduate with almost 100k in student debt. i also will not be able to live in the state i would like, but a job that lucrative would also provide the ability to afford to travel..
10 years ago
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VT_FLO
Posts: 3806 - Karma: 147
Your options are literally Aerospace engineering with a guaranteed dope job making 60k+/yr, or 8 year PHD in Environmental science with no guaranteed job. If you just want a bachelors, environmental science=starbucks barista.

Source: I'm a college graduate who had friends try to go into Environmental science, and a friend who now works at a NASA research facility designing jet engines.
10 years ago
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a_pla5tic_bag
Posts: 9242 - Karma: 5,638
snowballsdeepI mainly stayed away from engineering because i saw my self as bad at math yet good at science.


Doesn't work that way. Lots of people are good at thinking about science but you need math to prove your results. I'd go aerospace, military and weapons designers will always need planes.
10 years ago
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Iliveinutah
Posts: 1250 - Karma: 5,147
VT_FLOYour options are literally Aerospace engineering with a guaranteed dope job making 60k+/yr, or 8 year PHD in Environmental science with no guaranteed job. If you just want a bachelors, environmental science=starbucks barista.

Source: I'm a college graduate who had friends try to go into Environmental science, and a friend who now works at a NASA research facility designing jet engines.


Ya i hear allot of people that get the degree i was thinking about have went back to school for something else
10 years ago
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JDA
Posts: 572 - Karma: 566
Do engineering geology, best of both worlds
10 years ago
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Iliveinutah
Posts: 1250 - Karma: 5,147
JDADo engineering geology, best of both worlds


i like things that go fast... rocks are quite the opposite of that
10 years ago
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Dubfish
Posts: 12 - Karma: 52
It's really up to you, but I started out as an Aerospace Eng major and ended up switching over to finally graduate in Environmental/Civil Engineering.

I've found huge opportunities in the environmental side of things doing things that I love, namely being outdoors and helping to clean things up. The spectrum that is environmental engineering is much broader than that of aerospace engineering. I figured out that aerospace wasn't for me after looking at people sitting at computers for their entire careers or in white lab coats in really sanitary offices and labs. I can't imagine not having dirt under my fingernails or the occasional shitty weather day that I have to work outside all day in. I would have made more money as an aerospace engineer and have friends that are now making great money working for Boeing, Lockheed, the Air Force and GE, but I would say they don't have as many opportunities as I do to really go out and make a name for myself in an industry that offers some new and exciting technologies and research.

The math intensity of environmental engineering is less than aerospace. Aerospace has good job placement but you'll be working on the east coast, Seattle, Pasadena or Palo Alto. But hey Space X is a sick company; I have a few friends that work there and they absolutely love it. By the same token some of my environmental engineering friends are making bank fixing messes at oil and coal companies, but are working in Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota and Alaska.

I will ski way more as an environmental engineer and that was the main decision for me.
10 years ago
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Iliveinutah
Posts: 1250 - Karma: 5,147
DubfishIt's really up to you, but I started out as an Aerospace Eng major and ended up switching over to finally graduate in Environmental/Civil Engineering.

I've found huge opportunities in the environmental side of things doing things that I love, namely being outdoors and helping to clean things up. The spectrum that is environmental engineering is much broader than that of aerospace engineering. I figured out that aerospace wasn't for me after looking at people sitting at computers for their entire careers or in white lab coats in really sanitary offices and labs. I can't imagine not having dirt under my fingernails or the occasional shitty weather day that I have to work outside all day in. I would have made more money as an aerospace engineer and have friends that are now making great money working for Boeing, Lockheed, the Air Force and GE, but I would say they don't have as many opportunities as I do to really go out and make a name for myself in an industry that offers some new and exciting technologies and research.

The math intensity of environmental engineering is less than aerospace. Aerospace has good job placement but you'll be working on the east coast, Seattle, Pasadena or Palo Alto. But hey Space X is a sick company; I have a few friends that work there and they absolutely love it. By the same token some of my environmental engineering friends are making bank fixing messes at oil and coal companies, but are working in Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota and Alaska.

I will ski way more as an environmental engineer and that was the main decision for me.


space x would be a dream, more so than nasa. mainly even having a chance to be involved with what that company is doing is almost enough for a no contest vote for me. but precisely what you are saying is what drew me to environmental as well
10 years ago
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Shredsterr
Posts: 2090 - Karma: 6,930
Aerospace motherfucker. Shit's fucking awesome.
10 years ago
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toastyteenagers
Posts: 1834 - Karma: 6,793
I think if your going for careers, aerospace engineering is a good choice do you can work, say at northrup Gorman in salt lake, then you can ski.
10 years ago
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4-Front
Posts: 5306 - Karma: 199
I personally think that engineering can really provide a much stable work/life balance than a science degree can. Maybe consider pursuing mechanical engineering because it can offer both sides of environmental and aerospace.
10 years ago
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caucasian_chad
Posts: 4078 - Karma: 3,625
Well, if you're an aerospace engineer, you can use this line at work, which would be pretty fun.
10 years ago
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Iliveinutah
Posts: 1250 - Karma: 5,147
seriously thinking about, Georgia tech, Virginia tech, and Boulder University. GT will be a stretch to get into but they have the #4 aerospace program in the nation, and do allot of work with nasa. VT looks like they have a good program i believe they are around #14 in the ranks and i can more than likely get in. Boulder looks like they have a good program with dope projects and rank at #9 in the nation but is about 20 hours from home back here in NC as were both Vt and GT are about 3.5hr away. anyone go to those 3 schools?
10 years ago
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El_Barto.
Posts: 11661 - Karma: 24,358
VT_FLOYour options are literally Aerospace engineering with a guaranteed dope job making 60k+/yr, or 8 year PHD in Environmental science with no guaranteed job. If you just want a bachelors, environmental science=starbucks barista.

Source: I'm a college graduate who had friends try to go into Environmental science, and a friend who now works at a NASA research facility designing jet engines.


I have a BS in natural resources from Oregon State. The majorit of my NR friends are doing something not related to our degree (airport baggage handler, bartender, drunk). I stayed in school but shifted my focus to a different realm of science and now im in chiropractic school. Any general science class is good if you wanna do anything healthate related in the future
10 years ago
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El_Barto.
Posts: 11661 - Karma: 24,358
I have a degree in natural resources. Dont go es if you want a gold job.
10 years ago
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