Have you ever looked up at the sky and wondered just how those airplanes stay up there? Or have you seen a satellite and pondered how it is built and what it does? Wonder no more when you choose a career that is all about making things fly, whether it’s a massive airbus carrying passengers around the world, or a tiny satellite orbiting the earth.
Let’s look at just what it takes to be an aerospace engineer in South Africa, where to study, and also the exciting career opportunities you can look forward to.
What You’ll Need
Before you jump into the world of aerospace engineering, there are a few subjects you will need to take in high school. These are all subjects that have a strong foundation in Maths and Science and typically form the framework known as STEM.
1. Mathematics
Calculus, algebra, and geometry – these form the basic principles of engineering and help us understand how things move and interact in the air and space. From figuring out how fast a rocket needs to go to escape Earth’s gravity to calculate the forces acting on an airplane in flight, math is vital for solving all sorts of problems in aerospace engineering.
2. Physical Science
Chemistry and physics are both vitally important as they teach you the laws of motion, thermodynamics, and the properties of various materials. This is important for designing and building safe aircraft and spacecraft and will help you make improvements to make these even better.
3. Engineering Graphics and Design or Technical Drawing
This subject teaches you how to see things in your mind, figure out how they fit together, and understand those detailed drawings that you will work with in aerospace engineering. EGD and technical drawing will help you learn how to create detailed drawings and diagrams, like blueprints, that help ensure your designs are safe and effective.
4. English
Taking English in high school is not only compulsory but necessary if you want to pursue a career in aerospace engineering. It teaches you strong communication skills that will help you convey your ideas, write all-important reports, and communicate with a team of engineers from different countries.
Where to Study
South Africa is a great place to study aerospace engineering. Not only does it have some of the best universities with great engineering programs, but it also has a growing aerospace industry, with plenty of opportunities for hands-on experience and internships.
Here’s where you can study aerospace engineering in South Africa:
- University of Cape Town
- University of Pretoria
- University of Stellenbosch
- University of the Witwatersrand (WITS)
- University of Kwazulu-Natal
- University of Johannesburg
- North-West University
- Rhodes University
- Tshwane University of Technology
- University of South Africa in Pretoria
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- University of the Free State
- Nelson Mandela University
- University of the Western Cape
- Durban University of Technology
Exploring Careers in Aerospace Engineering
Staying local, there are plenty of cool career paths waiting for you in aerospace engineering in South Africa. From working for big companies like Denel Aerospace Systems to landing a job at Airbus South Africa where you can help design and build airplanes and helicopters, South Africa is full of options for future aerospace engineers.
If you’re more into the “space” aspect of aerospace engineering, you could land a job at SANSA, the South African National Space Agency, where you could work on satellites or even those exciting missions to explore other planets.
Don’t forget about smaller companies and startups though, as these offer exciting opportunities to work on some cutting-edge technology and innovative projects. Think Elon Musk. Whatever you choose, the sky is truly the limit when it comes to aerospace engineering careers in South Africa.
Your Career Path in Aerospace Engineering
Now that you know the possibilities that await you, let’s look at how to get there.
First, you will need a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from one of the universities we listed above. While you’re studying, look into getting internships and part-time jobs in the aerospace industry to gain some hands-on experience. These are great for learning the tricks of the trade and can help you get your foot in the door of some pretty amazing job opportunities for when you have graduated.
Who knows, your internship might just turn into a full-time job later on.
Once you have graduated, you can start applying for entry-level positions at aerospace companies or even government agencies. As you gain experience and skills, you can move up the ladder to more senior roles.
Final Thoughts
Aerospace engineering is an exciting career choice for high school students in South Africa. By focusing on math, science, and technical abilities, along with gaining some important and much-needed practical experience, young engineers can start their journey that leads them to some incredible opportunities in the skies and beyond.
Whether you want to design planes, build spacecraft, uncover the hidden secrets of the skies, or be the next Elon Musk, there is no end to what you can achieve with a career in aerospace engineering.
Remember, the sky’s the limit.
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