Which field in Aerospace is more promising? and why?

Which field as an Aerospace Engineer should i choose for my graduate projects?

• I will be graduating in 2 years with a M.Tech in Aerospace Engineering(with no specialization) from IIT Kharagpur with a decent enough GPA(somewhere between 8 and 8.5). I have interest in Fluid Dynamics, Controls and Structures(basically every field that comes under Aerospace Engineering). I have to take up graduate projects under the professors at my institute under one of these fields, but I am really unable to decide what shall I go for, as this decision will surely decide and affect my career path. I also don't know whether I should go for a MS/PhD or get a job once i graduate(mostly finance is a concern to me in this regard). This is a very critical decision and that's why I am looking for some helpful advice. Any help would be appreciated.

• Answer:

  Your interests, according to you, are Structures, Controls and Fluid Dynamics and everything else related to Aerospace Engineering. That's kind of a very broad spectrum of interests to begin with, I feel. After 3 years of studying Aerospace Engineering, I can tell you that interests change along the way depending on your grasping power and factors like Subject Teachers, Practical Knowledge, Laboratory experiments, etc. Since you're still undecided about what to do after graduation (just like me), it makes choosing projects even tougher. There could be 3 approaches you could undertake. 1. Take the projects with mentors that are enthusiastic about the subject in question, are insightful and are willing to give you time. If they are, you will eventually find interest. 2. Go all out for the topic of your interest. For that, you must first identify that topic of interest. I know people who aced Nelson (Reference for Flight Stability and Control) and went on to work in the Controls division at ISRO. It's very much possible. Since you've completed 2 years, I'm guessing J.D. Anderson would have been an important part of your life in the last 1 year. 3. Just don't give a hoot. Pick the mentor that's likely to not give you any work and give you good grades at the end of it all. Since you've got a decent GPA, I think we should scratch out Point 3, it hasn't got anyone anywhere in life. If you want to pursue MS/PhD from abroad, pick the 2nd approach. If you want to go for a job, which I wouldn't recommend, given the climate in our country, go for the 1st approach. In our college, we work on Minor Projects in pre-final year and Major Projects in final year. My minor was related to Rocketry, and I take a step forward in my major as I will be working on Satellite Trajectory Analysis and Orbital Mechanics. , Now to prospective projects, 1. High Speed Aerodynamics, Computational Fluid Dynamics, UAVs - Flow optimization of a UAV. - CFD simulation of an asteroid entering Earth's atmosphere. - Vortex Reversal Techniques. - Variable Sweep Wings - Fabrication of a Delta Wing UAV - Drag Reductions studies on various air frames. 2. Anything related to Astronautics - Moon Probe mission fundamentals - Power Systems analysis on board an orbiter - Attitude Control systems on board an orbiter - Trajectory Analysis - Interstellar Travel Propulsion Systems - Effect of Space weather on Communication Satellites. - Building an autonomous Rover. - Space Debris Mitigation techniques. 3. Avionics, Control - UAV Target Tracking - Satellite Image enhancement - GPS and Remote Sensing Techniques - Use of Altimeters, Accelerometers to measure the altitude of a Helium Balloon. 4. Structures. - Structural analysis of various parts of an aircraft wing on ANSYS. - Mathematical modeling of Aircraft Skin Plates. - Effect of Stringers, Longerons, Formers, Bulkheads on Structural Stability. The list is endless. Go to the library or the internet. Find out what interests you. Make sure you don't get distracted on give up on the way. Recruiters and Professors abroad like applicants who pursue their interests in their senior years. Best of Luck.