AsianScientist (Jan. 27, 2017) – So, it’s the new year (solar and lunar) and you’re part way through your aerospace bachelor degree. You may be thinking about how you’re life is going to progress after graduation. If you are, then great; you’re already thinking proactively. If not, then this article probably isn’t for you.
Carving a career in the aviation or space sectors can be difficult. They are both highly popular industries with far more job applicants than there are jobs available.
As an example, I applied for a job at Rolls-Royce back home in the UK. I later found out that I was one of 400 applicants for that job. At the same time I applied for a position with Astrium (now Airbus Defence & Space)… I found out later that 4,000 people had applied for that job. (I got hired by Rolls-Royce just FYI).
It isn’t enough to get straight A’s in your exams. All this shows is that you put the bare-minimum in to get the grade, and not a shred more.
A grades in Singapore are like belly-buttons; everybody has one. The key is to differentiate yourself from other ‘top’ students. Your CV needs to scream “Hire me! I am good value!” Here are a few tips to help you do that.
- Enter competitions
Competition has been the foundation of the aerospace industry. From the Orteig Prize to the XPRIZE, incentivized innovation has provided engineers with an opportunity to get noticed (and win prizes). If you see a hackathon in your university, then join it. Even if you don’t win, you’ll still have a nice project to talk about on your CV. Employers respect this. Plus, you may get some media attention, even as a runner up.
- Do outreach
Join various college clubs, assist with pushing your school’s profile to the media and write blogs. When you work with the media you have a distinct advantage over other students. You set the agenda which is to be reported, rather than being a passive consumer of news. Naturally, you get the chance to self-promote as well. Promoting your school shows that you are a team player and that you are a useful asset. Companies love this.
