What to study for a job in space engineering?

[Hyperspace Industries]

One of my current life goals is to get a job in aerospace engineering. Specifically, probe and perhaps manned vehicle design.

This goal is complicated by the fact that I’m in South Africa, which is not exactly known for its space based exploits (of which there are only telescopes and dsn antennas) and also by the fact that the only university aerospace engineering course in the country is in Cape Town and is titled: Astrophysics and Space science. It may be worth it for me to look into that, maybe. I’m thinking of studying mechanical or electromechanical engineering. I’m also going to start learning welding from a cousin of mine who welds beer creating pressure vessels, if I can’t design payloads, maybe I can build rockets.

I’m in high school and going to be in grade 9 this year. I’ve been getting good marks in pretty much everything. We chose specific subjects in grade 10.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  

[cubinator]

Mechanical and electrical engineering are both good ways to go. In my university in the USA, there's a lot of overlap between mechanical and aerospace subjects. Rockets and spacecraft need a bit of every type of engineering, so if you have a degree and a bit of knowledge about how rockets and spacecraft work (through joining a rocket team, or reading about rocket design) you will probably be well equipped to get into the industry.

[StrandedonEarth]

Load up on math, get a head start on calculus if available, that's where I stumbled and crashed.

And when you get to post-secondary life, partying is overrated. Studying is more important than socializing, especially outside your classmate groups.. Sure, some time to unwind is absolutely necessary, but keep the balance and your priorities straight, unlike me.

[Hyperspace Industries]

1 hour ago, StrandedonEarth said:

Load up on math, get a head start on calculus if available, that's where I stumbled and crashed.

And when you get to post-secondary life, partying is overrated. Studying is more important than socializing, especially outside your classmate groups.. Sure, some time to unwind is absolutely necessary, but keep the balance and your priorities straight, unlike me.

I've got that covered, math is my best subject, and my favorite, and I'm taking advanced program extracurricular math this year.

As for socializing, to give you an idea of how little I like socializing, for majority of my school career, I've intentionally had zero friends. I don't like socializing.

[Spacescifi]

9 hours ago, Hyperspace Industries said:

I've got that covered, math is my best subject, and my favorite, and I'm taking advanced program extracurricular math this year.

As for socializing, to give you an idea of how little I like socializing, for majority of my school career, I've intentionally had zero friends. I don't like socializing.

 

Generally speaking, smart guys party AFTER they achieve.

Like I doubt Elon was smoking weed and partying a lot prior to becoming the rich guy we all know.

Nowadays? Yeah he does it.... some of the time.

 

Also if it makes you feel any better.... Elon is from South Africa.

 

He was born into a rich family, but still... South Africa man!

Edited January 3, 2022 by Spacescifi

[TheSaint]

Embry-Riddle (which has a campus in my town) has a specific degree program in aerospace engineering which I hear feeds directly into all of the household names in the aerospace industry.

https://erau.edu/degrees/bachelor/aerospace-engineering

So, if you have the wherewithal to get a student visa and study at an expensive private university abroad, and you are 100% certain that this is what you want to do with your life, then it's probably not a bad option.

[MKI]

If you have the grades, the drive, and the curiosity, then you really just need some luck to get noticed.

I think any of those degrees would be fine. As said above, "rocket science" requires a number of disciplines. I'd also leverage your school counselors as best as you can to help you make a decision between the few you are thinking of.

 

I'd also like to share a saying I recently acquired that seems applicable:
"Preparation and perseverance make your ready for opportunity" - Dr Sian Proctor