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Aidan Hutton

Professor Pettay

ENG 111

18 October 2023

Aerospace Engineering: The Ever-Evolving Field

STARTING SENTENCE: Aerospace engineering stands as a dynamic and ever-evolving

line of work, guiding aspiring minds to explore the frontiers of technology. As time progresses

into the future so does the demand for newer technological advances to drive one above

everyone else. In 1903 the first plane was built and flown by the Wright brothers, and for the last

120 years, humans all over the world have strived to make their invention the best it could be.

The role of an aerospace engineer comes with many challenges, yet it comes with a well-worth

reward.

TOPIC SENTENCE/CLAIM: Although aerospace engineering may be challenging for

most people, the salary is well worth the difficulty and effort. SUPPORT: According to the U.S

Bureau of Labor Statistics, the salary of an aerospace engineer ranges from “The lowest 10

percent earned less than $78,170, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $176,280”.

SUPPORT: Not only do you make a lot of money if you’re in the top 10 percent but “The

median annual wage for aerospace engineers was $126,880 in May 2022” (Aerospace Engineers

U.S). SUPPORT: The reason for the pay to be so high is because there is a demand for

aerospace engineers, and this is what Johns Hopkins Engineering had to say “In general, there is

demand for aerospace engineers, and it is likely to remain strong as the demand for advanced

technology in the aerospace industry continues to grow. However, it is important to note that
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demand can be cyclical, and the job market can change over time”. TRANSITION: The reason

for the demand to be so high is because of the high level, of math and science one has to know.

TOPIC SENTENCE: The learning curve for aerospace engineers is like no other field of

work. SUPPORT: College Board describes that “Aerospace engineering majors learn how to use

math and science to design and develop aircraft, spacecraft, and missiles”. SUPPORT: Kaydon

Al Stanzione a former Senior Engineer in advanced Vehicle Aerodynamics, at Boeing Vertol

Company and now writer of an article for Britannica states “The typical aerospace engineer

holds a bachelor’s degree, but there are many engineers holding master’s or doctorate degrees (or

their equivalents) in various disciplines associated with aerospace-vehicle design, development,

and testing”. ANALYSIS: Although one doesn’t need a master’s degree in engineering, the

majority of the top aerospace engineers in the world who work for large companies like NASA,

Northrop Grumman, Tetra Tech High-Performance Building Group, ECT do have a master’s

degree in a related field of work. TRANSITION: The work that aerospace engineers have to

complete is some of the most difficult in the world.

TOPIC SENTENCE: When most people think of engineering they think of cars,

buildings, and maybe airplanes, but aerospace engineers work on a much larger scale of work.

SUPPORT: For example “aerospace engineers develop technologies for use in aviation, defense

systems, and spacecraft. They may focus on areas such as aerodynamic fluid flow; structural

design; guidance, navigation, and control; instrumentation and communication; robotics; or

propulsion and combustion” (Aerospace Engineers U.S). SUPPORT: Not only is it very tedious

to be working on these vehicles, it is “complex and time-consuming procedure requiring the

integration of many engineering technologies” ( Aerospace engineering Stanzione).

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ANALYSIS: Aerospace engineers are some of the smartest people on the planet, having to deal

with the highest level of math and science to attempt to develop new technologies.

Due to all of the challenges that come with being an aerospace engineer, most

people wouldn’t find the reward to be so appealing. To be an aerospace engineer you have to

have some of the toughest work ethic, minds, and dedication out of any man on this planet.

Although it may seem very challenging for one to want to seek out a job with such high stress

and challenges I find the end goal to be very solace. As aerospace engineering evolves into the

future I want to be one of the men in history to change the world forever not in a way where J.

Robert Oppenheimer did with the A-Bomb, but in a way where I can help people all around the

world.
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Works Cited

“Aerospace Engineers : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S.” Bureau of Labor

Statistics, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/aerospace-

engineers.htm#tab-2. Accessed 20 October 2023.

Al Stanzione, Kaydon. “Aerospace engineering | Design, Manufacturing & Testing.”

Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/technology/aerospace-engineering. Accessed 20

October 2023.

“Is Aerospace a Good Career Path? | Hopkins EP Online.” Johns Hopkins Engineering

for Professionals, 28 February 2023, https://ep.jhu.edu/news/is-aerospace-a-good-career-

path/. Accessed 20 October 2023.

“Major: Aerospace Engineering – BigFuture | College Board.” BigFuture,

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/explore-careers/majors/science-technology-

engineering-math/aerospace-engineering. Accessed 23 October 2023.