Charlie,
I don't post here because rocketry is a low-end hobby for me compared to
those who post on this list. I come here to learn. I make small rockets
with sugar engines I pour in the backyard. I design, build and program the
electronics. I really enjoy trying to understand how to design and build
everything required for a successful flight. I keep them small and low
altitude so I can fly whenever I want. Testing is also cheaper.
I manage R&D engineering teams for a living. The company I work for makes
state of the art high power inverters. These are multidisciplinary
projects with many engineers located in sites across the world.
A few observations that will help you if you consider them in your context:
Learn math well enough to enjoy it. It is the language of science and
engineering. I see a huge difference between someone who understands math
and what it is for compared to someone who just learned it well enough to
get through engineering classes.
Learn to write. Communication is everything. If you can't communicate,
you will end up doing the grunt work for someone who can. I can get 3
engineers in India for the price of 1 in the US. You need to be worth that
difference. Communication is one of the keys.
Learn to draw - 3D CAD. It isn't hard and it is another way to communicate.
Once you can draw even a little bit, get a 3D printer and play with it. We
use them at work continuously to evaluate ideas. My personal printer is
quite capable and cost me less than $300. It would surprise me if you spent
less than that on games last year. 3D printers provide cheap real-world
experience with real parts. How do things fit together? How do they move?
Tolerances? There is a big difference between an idea and what will work.
Experience with real parts is invaluable. Once you have a printer, building
something is less than $25 for a kilo of plastic. That turns out to be a
lot of plastic.
Freshly minted college degrees seldom come with the skills necessary to
complete a real project. Many have difficulties working in a team. Find
chances to work with others on multidisciplinary projects.
Learn about project management. It isn't hard but it does require a few
skills and tools that schools don't seem to think are important.
I occasionally mentor final project teams at a local community college.
All I do is teach them to manage projects and work together. They always
outperform their peers. They also seem to enjoy their project more than
their peers. They also get better team member participation.
Consider taking classes at a community college while you are in high
school. The one I work with will let you register for a degree program
when you can pass the entrance exam. Both my boys had an associate’s
degree by the time they were 18. This does require planning. Talk to your
parents about it and research the schools in your area.
Take as many different kinds of STEM classes as you can. The more exposure
you get, the more chances you have to find what you love. Exploring space
covers a lot of territory. Even building a rocket covers many disciplines.
It takes many years to end up like Henry Spencer. You won't do that unless
you start with something you love. Love drives the learning.
Best regards,
Byron
On Tue, Mar 16, 2021 at 9:05 PM Terry McCreary <prfesser@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Errrrr.....
I'm gonna have to say "caution" on the idea of working free for a company
to illustrate your value, for practical reasons. It probably wouldn't have
been a serious issue as late as the 1980s, but today some
companies--especially larger ones--may take advantage of you. I believe the
current phrase is kthxbai. :-) And of course, when you're starting out,
you may not have enough cash to be able to live for several months without
income. (I sure didn't!)
This is still five or six years down the road for you...but there is an
attractive program that may provide an "in" with more than one company. The
National Science Foundation funds a program called Research Experience for
Undergraduates (REU). A university either has or will develop a research
program suitable for undergrad participation. The principal investigator(s)
writes a proposal for NSF funding. If he is successful, undergrads apply
for the university's REU program, and the PI mentors them for ten weeks,
the summer after sophomore or junior year.
It gives experience in real, publishable research. The REU student is
typically provided on-campus housing, a meal plan, and a stipend ($5000 is
common). Some even fund travel to and from the university. (Competition
among students for an REU spot is pretty stiff, though.) On graduation you
may find that a company or three that has an interest in that research, or
has even funded work in the same general area. Since you already have some
experience in the area...
Some schools get REU funding from NSF every year. You'll find more
information here: https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5517
Research Experiences for Undergraduates | NSF - National Science Foundation
<https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5517>
DUE DATES. Full Proposal Deadline Date August 25, 2021. Fourth Wednesday
in August, Annually Thereafter. SYNOPSIS. The Research Experiences for
Undergraduates (REU) program supports active research participation by
undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the
National Science Foundation.
www.nsf.gov
**
Best -- Terry
------------------------------
*From:* arocket-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <arocket-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on
behalf of Dr Edward Jones <RocketPioneer@xxxxxxxxx>
*Sent:* Tuesday, March 16, 2021 4:42 PM
*To:* arocket@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <arocket@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
*Subject:* [AR] Re: Career advice please.
Charlie, the advice give here is excellent. One other idea: a
work-study program to begin after High School. I worked at White Sands
Proving Ground while a student at NMA&MA, needed another year to get
the degree, but payroll covered books and tuition, so there was no
need for scholarship or student loans.
Remember what Uncle Bobby Dylan said: "Look out kid, they keep it all
hid." You will need to dig deep to find a work-study program that
works for you. And they do exist.
Another approach is to get an interview with a company you deem good
for your future, and explain "I will work here for you, doing whatever
you assign me, for three months, no pay, to show what I am worth."
Every company will find that appealing, and they will be forced to pay
you SOMETHING to make things work for the firm. But start with "I'll
work for free awhile."
And think ahead, might you best become a mechanical engineer, a chem
engineer, a physicist, a chemist, a data reduction expert?
You are doing the right thing! Keep asking for what you want.
Edward