Questions about aerospace engineering

[Soccerbum15]

Hello. I'm in 10th grade in high school and for one of my engineering classes I have to do a research paper. One requirement of the paper is I have to interview a currently active and experienced engineer, so I came up with a few questions that I would like at least one of you to answer. If you do not want to, u do not have to, but it would be very helpful if u agree. Also, you do not need to answer all of the questions, but try to answer as many as you can. Please take your time and answer truthfully, I hope that at least one of you will help me out. The paper is due 12/3, so i would like to have some replies by 11/28 if possible, but do not rush, its a holiday, take your time. Here goes:
1. Where do you work and what does the company do?
2. Exactly what kind of engineer are you and how long have you been employed as an engineer?
3. Describe the duties and responsibilities of someone working in your field of engineering.
4. Are there specializations in your field of engineering and do you have a particular specialty?
5. What are some of the projects you have worked on and do you have one that your most proud of?
6. Is any part of your job hazardous or dangerous?
7. How much of your time is spent on the computer?
8. Do you work alone or with other engineers? What other types of engineers do you work with?
9. How much knowledge of other fields of engineering do you need to know in order to perform your job requirements?
10. What do you like most about your job?
11. What do you dislike about your job?
12. Is there further education offered where you work?
13. Where did you go to college, how long did it take to earn your degree, and what kinds of courses did you have to take?
14. What are the beginning, average, and top pay one could expect to earn working in this profession?
15. How many hours do you work per week?
16. Are the benefits good and do you get much vacation time?
17. Do you have to travel?
18. Is it possible to work at home (like if you are sick)?
19. Were there any tests or licenses you had to get before you became an engineer?
20. Is this what you thought you were going to do in high school?
21. Do you have any advice for someone looking to go into engineering?
22. Is there anything you want to add?
Thank you very much for your time and concern. Good luck!

 

[redargon]

This is directed at the mentors, not you soccerbum. Let's see what we can organise.

I've seen a lot of these lately. Surely there must be a way to get info from some of the other surveys that have been answered by people previously and then just add the questions that haven't been answered yet. Maybe a sticky in career advice or a library entry? mentors? I don't mind answering one or two, but there a lot of them and they often ask the same stuff. I'm sure it would also be interesting for other people just browsing around as well as students needing the info for an interview.

 

[NatSusan]

Hi there! I'm an engineer and I'd be happy to answer your questions for your research paper. I'll answer them in the same order as you listed them:

1. I work for a company called XYZ Engineering, and we specialize in designing and manufacturing renewable energy systems.
2. I am a mechanical engineer and I've been employed for 10 years.
3. As a mechanical engineer, my duties include designing and testing mechanical systems, conducting research and analysis, and managing projects.
4. In mechanical engineering, there are various specializations such as aerospace, automotive, and renewable energy. I specialize in renewable energy systems.
5. I have worked on multiple projects, but I am most proud of the wind turbine system I helped design and implement for a rural community in Africa.
6. There are some hazards involved in my job, such as working with heavy machinery and potential exposure to hazardous materials. However, we have strict safety protocols in place to minimize any risks.
7. A significant portion of my time is spent on the computer, whether it's designing and modeling systems or analyzing data.
8. I work with a team of other engineers, including mechanical, electrical, and civil engineers. We all collaborate on projects together.
9. While I primarily focus on mechanical engineering, I do need to have a basic understanding of other fields such as electrical and civil engineering to effectively work on interdisciplinary projects.
10. I love the problem-solving aspect of my job and the satisfaction of seeing a project come to life.
11. The long hours and tight deadlines can be challenging at times.
12. Yes, my company offers further education and training opportunities.
13. I went to XYZ University and it took me 4 years to earn my bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. Some of the courses I took included thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and materials science.
14. Starting salaries for mechanical engineers can range from $60,000 to $80,000, with the average being around $70,000. With experience and promotions, top salaries can reach over $100,000.
15. I typically work 40-45 hours per week, but during busy times, I may work longer hours.
16. The benefits are good, and I get 3 weeks of vacation per year.
17. Yes, I do have to travel occasionally for conferences and client meetings.
18. Yes, it is possible to work from home if I am sick, but it depends on the nature of the work