What are the best ways to keep your aerospace engineering skills current?

1 Read journals and blogs

Staying informed about the latest developments and innovations in aerospace engineering is easily achievable through reading journals and blogs. Journals are peer-reviewed publications that present original research, analysis, and reviews on various topics related to aerospace engineering, while blogs are more informal and personal sources of information, opinions, and insights from experts, enthusiasts, and practitioners in the field. You can find journals and blogs online, in libraries, or in subscription services; some examples include the AIAA Journal (the flagship journal of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, covering all aspects of aerospace science and technology), Aerospace America (a magazine that features news, features, and commentary on the aerospace industry), The Aerospace Engineering Blog (exploring the fundamentals, applications, and challenges of aerospace engineering with a focus on aircraft design and performance), and Aerospace Engineering Online (providing tutorials, tips, and resources for aerospace engineering students and professionals).

2 Take courses and certifications

Keeping your aerospace engineering skills current can be done through taking courses and certifications which can not only help you learn new concepts, methods, and tools, but also refresh your existing ones. Additionally, these courses and certifications can help demonstrate your competence and credibility to employers, clients, and peers. You can find these courses and certifications online, in universities, or in professional associations. Examples of such courses and certifications include Introduction to Aeronautical Engineering offered by MITx which covers the basic principles of aerodynamics, flight mechanics, and propulsion; Fundamentals of Astrodynamics offered by Coursera which covers the basics of orbital mechanics, orbital maneuvers, and space mission design; Certified Aerospace Engineer offered by the International Council on Systems Engineering which validates your proficiency in applying systems engineering principles and practices to aerospace systems; and Certified Flight Instructor offered by the Federal Aviation Administration which allows you to teach others how to fly airplanes or helicopters.

3 Join communities and networks

Staying up to date with your aerospace engineering skills can be achieved by joining communities and networks that can link you with those who share your passion. These connections can provide chances to collaborate on projects, challenges, and events, as well as help you build your network, find mentors, and discover new opportunities. You can find these groups online, in local groups, or in national or international organizations. To give some examples, the Aerospace Engineering Network is a LinkedIn group with over 150,000 members, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics has over 30,000 members and 70 regional sections, the NASA Space Apps Challenge is a global hackathon using NASA data and resources to solve real-world problems related to space exploration and earth science, and RC Airplane World is a website and forum offering information, tips, and guidance for building and flying radio-controlled airplanes.

4 Practice and experiment

Staying on top of the ever-changing and exciting field of aerospace engineering is beneficial for your career and personal growth, as well as your enjoyment and satisfaction. Practicing and experimenting with your own projects and problems can help you apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations, test assumptions, develop creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving skills. You can practice with your own ideas or existing ones that inspire you. Software such as MATLAB, XFLR5, and Kerbal Space Program, as well as hardware like Arduino can be used to create or control electronic devices, sensors, actuators, airfoils, wings, planes, rockets, satellites, and spacecraft with realistic physics and engineering principles. Reading journals and blogs, taking courses and certifications, joining communities and networks are all great ways to keep your aerospace engineering skills current.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?