Advice To Graduates On Getting Into Aerospace Wednesday, 10 February 2010 01:22 |  Written by Michael Mealling |  |  | 
This time of year I usually get a few requests from aerospace students about how to get into the business. Some have usually talked to someone who is convinced that aerospace is a dead end business. Over time I’ve developed a few themes that I’ll list here: Old vs NewI’m in the “new” space business so my advice is kind of skewed. This end of the industry is fun, vibrant and cash poor. The “old” end of the business pays well but it is fickle: contracts are canceled, government programs are realigned, and your career is more in the hands of Congress than yours. I don’t know squat about the aeronautical side of the industry. If you are thinking about joining the New side of the industry you should be prepared to be poor and live the “startup” life for a while. Its a fun ride, especially if you are young. Work for NASA but leave before it makes you cynicalParts of NASA can be fun and interesting. NASA Ames is a good example. Having NASA on your resume is valuable (I’m not sure why, but it is). But only stay there a few years or else you will get sucked into the cynicism and bureaucracy. Last Updated (Friday, 12 February 2010 18:58)
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