I left aerospace engineering for software engineering because the slow pace and lack of innovation in aerospace didn’t excite me. The rigid processes and limited career prospects in aerospace didn’t match my desire for impact and growth. In software, I found the fast-paced, flexible, and innovative environment I was craving. Plus, the potential for long-term career growth and impact in tech is much higher. It was a tough decision, but it was the right move for me. ππ
π Background Story
If you’re new here, I’m Jackie, a self-taught software engineer based in London with a background in mechanical and aerospace engineering. In this video, I’ll explain the reasons behind my transition from aerospace engineering to software development.
π‘ Quick Recap
I studied mechanical engineering in Portugal and developed a keen interest in fluid dynamics, leading me to focus on numerical simulation and computational fluid dynamics in my master’s thesis. After graduation, I joined a big Aerospace company in Germany but eventually shifted to software engineering at Amazon.
π οΈ Slow Paced Industry
The Aerospace industry’s slow pace, stringent safety regulations, and the immense time and expense involved in testing new concepts led me to explore other options. The absence of the concept of an MVP made it difficult to pursue new ideas and changes.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Slow paced industry | Testing new ideas difficult |
| Stringent safety regulations | Lack of innovation opportunities |
| No concept of MVP | An unrealistic idealistic approach |
An engineer once told me that the concept of an MVP doesn’t exist in aerospace engineering. New ideas and changes are difficult to pursue in this industry.
π Impact in Projects
I felt I lacked impact in projects and couldn’t innovate in the areas I expected to within the Aerospace industry. I faced a lot of blockers and realized I had unrealistic expectations for my job.
- The Aerospace industry has a very established and strict process. Your work is to follow these processes step by step, which can get monotonous.
π Career Prospects
The limited career prospects and opportunities in the Aerospace industry led me to explore software engineering, which offers a wider range of career paths and industries. The ability to work in different areas within the programming world was appealing.
| Aerospace Engineering | Software Engineering |
|---|---|
| Limited career prospects | Broader spectrum of opportunities and industries |
| Niche industry | Wide range of career paths |
| Fewer companies to work for | Easier to navigate different fields |
Software engineering offers a wider range of career paths compared to aerospace engineering, making it a more appealing option for me.
𧩠Flexibility
The traditional nature of aerospace engineering didn’t offer the flexibility I desired. I wanted the option to work from different locations and have a more flexible work environment.
- Aerospace engineering is a traditional career path, while tech offers more flexibility and remote working opportunities.
π° Compensation
The potential for long-term financial growth and individual contribution was also a consideration. Software engineering provided more room for growth and better opportunities for individual contributors.
| Aerospace Engineering | Software Engineering |
|---|---|
| Limited growth potential | Better opportunities for individual contributors |
| Stagnant salary | Potential for long-term financial growth |
In the long term, software engineering offers more potential for financial growth compared to aerospace engineering.
π Conclusion
These factors collectively motivated my switch from aerospace engineering to software development. While I miss certain aspects of aerospace, I found software engineering to be a better fit for the stage of life I was in.
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