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What did you think Aerospace Engineering would be like before you started your career, and what surprised you once you got into the field?

I am a High School Senior #CO 2026, I would like to attend an HBCU and major in Aerospace Engineering. I am an artistic person who likes to paint and take ceramics classes. I also love to cook and bake. #college #engineering #Aerospace engineering #hbcu

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Fahad Elahi’s Answer

It is great that you are thinking ahead as a high school senior, especially with your artistic side painting and ceramics could actually tie in nicely with aerospace design work down the line. Before starting in aerospace engineering, many people expect it to be all about building rockets and planes hands on, exciting stuff like in movies. But the reality often surprises folks with how much it involves heavy math, simulations, and paperwork, like dealing with regulations and team collaborations that can feel more desk bound at first. One common surprise is the interdisciplinary nature you might end up working on software or materials more than pure flight mechanics, and the field can be slower paced than imagined due to safety standards. Your love for cooking and baking shows creativity, which is valuable in innovative projects. Look into HBCUs like Howard or Tuskegee, which have strong programs and supportive communities. Keep pursuing your passions they will make you stand out in the field.
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Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer

Aerospace Engineering emphasizes systems thinking, requiring engineers to understand how every part of a vehicle interacts, from propulsion to electronics to aerodynamics. Success depends on patience, attention to detail, and anticipating challenges. Hands-on experience through projects, workshops, labs, volunteering, and free virtual platforms, as well as engineering software such as OpenVSP, FreeCAD, OpenFOAM, XFLR5, Machup, OpenRocket, GMAT, and Eclipse Capella, helps students design, simulate, and test complex systems.

Experimentation and iteration are central to innovation. Breakthroughs often come from testing prototypes, conducting wind tunnel experiments, or running small-scale missions. Combining mathematical modeling skills with creativity from painting, ceramics, or culinary arts helps students visualize complex systems, adapt designs when results are unexpected, and develop functional and imaginative solutions.

The field also draws on knowledge from materials science, environmental systems, and human physiology, especially in astronautical engineering. Joining professional associations and online communities, such as AIAA student programs, provides mentorship, resources, and collaboration opportunities. For students who stay curious, engage early with tools and platforms, and combine creativity with technical expertise, Aerospace Engineering is a rewarding and exciting field, offering the chance to turn imagination into real-world innovations in flight and space exploration.
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