• Question: What qualifications would you need to work for big companies like NASA Airbus and many more?

    Asked by Eban to Harriet on 18 Nov 2020.
    • Photo: Harriet Gamble

      Harriet Gamble answered on 18 Nov 2020:

      There are lots of different routes into big engineering and space companies. Lots of people will do a degree at university in engineering or science and then get a first job in an aerospace company, sometimes on a graduate scheme which will help with further training (that’s what I did at Airbus). Other people will do an apprenticeship in engineering with a company, that way they get their training on the job instead of going to university, a great option if you prefer hands on work or really don’t like exams. Some apprenticeships even allow you to get your degree while you work, which is a combination of both options.

      It is worth remembering that many people who work in engineering and space start off with jobs somewhere completely different and move into these companies later in their careers. Also, the big companies don’t just need engineers, they need people to work in their finance department, recruitment and media so there are loads of different kinds of jobs needing different skills in the space industry.

Comments

  • Photo: Stu

    Stu commented on :

    It isn’t that hard, depending on what you want to do. The ESA/NASA and the big space defence contractors take on people just like everyone else. If you want to be a physicist or engineer for them, just get your degree and apply. The trick is to bring interpersonal team working skills. Join teams, be a good team player. Read leadership books and maybe lead teams (you won’t get leadership intially, but show your potential). Remember to practice practice practice interview questions and answers – get books about it and read them and have all those answers memorised – and dont cuff it, write your answers down and learn them. They will be way better at cuffing it than you and they can tell.

    Get a PhD and everyone will think your clever… but thats about all its good for unless you find research you LOVE… if you can DO THAT.

    There isn’t one type of personality that is good: extroverts (I am one) might seem like they are winning at stuff like interviews, but its not necessarily true – introverts think with their brains not their mouths. Every type has a place in high performing teams.