Here's how you can use internships in Aerospace Engineering to navigate your career path in the industry.

This is definitely one of the most important benefits of Internships. My first Aircraft Maintenance Internship helped me understand the entire aircraft maintenance process, asides engineering. I even had a day tour of the Operations Control Center and got a good idea of how the entire process works. I had the opportunity to work over a period of 6 months with the following departments: Line Maintenance, Maintenance Control Center, Technical Library, Technical Records, Reliability, Technical Planning, Technical Stores, and Supply Chain and it was a fulfilling experience. Similar to this is my current Graduate Training - Aircraft Wheels and Brakes, Non-destructive Testing, and Quality and Safety Assurance.

Years ago I did an internship for an aeronautics R&D centre. The twist? It was for an area outside my specialisation due to COVID restrictions on available places. To this day I still value the experience because in a limited time I got to learn similarly interesting inner workings of the industry and witnessed for the first time how professionals actually work. Internships are a great first step to acquire the insight and vocation to grow in your career — and it may be that an area of aerospace becomes more or less appealing because of that experience.

Internships in Aerospace Engineering offer an excellent way to explore different specializations within the industry. Each experience gives a taste of various fields, helping you make informed decisions about your future career. Before finishing my degrees, I did several internships in diverse areas. My final degree thesis focused on guidance algorithms for microlaunchers, where I learned a lot about GNC and even structures. Later, I shifted to Systems Engineering, applying MBSE for a UAS development project. Looking back, I wish I had started exploring earlier to pinpoint my specialization sooner.

This benefit of internships is so profound because the classroom knowledge compared to industry knowledge can be quite wide. Internships help to bridge the classroom-industry divide, connecting theoretical knowledge to practical application. My own experience, sitting in on a rocketry meeting, made this clear. Seeing concepts from my coursework applied in real-time sparked excitement and clarity. Moreover, interning provides a unique opportunity to learn the ropes without constraints. As an intern, I had the freedom to ask questions, seek guidance, and absorb knowledge from experienced professionals. This liberty to inquire and explore enabled me to grasp industry nuances and solidify my skills.

Aerospace internships are pivotal for enhancing technical skills and applying theory to real-world projects, giving a competitive edge in job interviews. Personally, internships also helped me connect with incredible professionals who supported my growth, both professionally and personally. Many of these connections remain valuable today, as they actively share industry insights on LinkedIn, keeping me informed and inspired.

Internships in aerospace engineering offer more than just technical growth—they’re a platform for significant personal development. As you explore different projects and roles, you gain insights into which fields truly resonate with you, helping to shape your career interests and goals. During these experiences, you also meet inspiring professionals who guide you, teach you the nuances of working in teams, and share strategies for effectively dealing with people. These soft skills, paired with technical knowledge, prepare you for navigating the collaborative and interdisciplinary world of aerospace engineering.

Internships can shape your career in aerospace by offering a chance to explore various fields without heavy responsibility. It's about trying different projects and learning, just like Roger Federer wouldn't win a championship by training on a single court for one day. Similarly, internships allow you to discover your strengths, weaknesses, and passions while gaining valuable insights from colleagues. Don’t worry about finding the perfect fit right away—internships give you the freedom to experiment and grow in a supportive environment.