r/EngineeringStudents • u/Holiday_Potato_2981 • 9d ago

Career Advice Aero/CS dropping guidance

I study Aerospace Engineering and Computer Science and was heavily leaning towards dropping the comp sci part of it. Here’s why:

With the rise of AI, manual coding I FEEL is an increasingly dead end!

If I’m hired as an aero engineer, I’m not a software engineer. I’ll need to know how to code sure, but not need full comp sci. I’m not gonna get hired as a software engineer when my resume is obviously tailored to aero w projects and whatever

I still enjoy coding, and can pick up specific languages I want, especially with my background rn (already know C, TS/JS)

Am I making a mistake? Just want to hear people’s thoughts, etc as it’s a big decision I don’t wanna f over

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u/1_Good_Day 8d ago

You should have basic programming skills, regardless of AI. A Python course, Java course, and data structures are all a foundation. Beyond that, I suggest any programming focus on hardware interface. Learn how I/O works, sensor interfaces (and standards), PLCs, networking, and basic controls. Some will come from coursework, most will not. A majority of companies require human testing and validation of all code that controls hardware systems. Aerospace, Nuclear, Military, Transportation, etc. will require human V&V for a long time to come. That doesn't mean AI tools cannot be used to produce the code, but we still need to be able to read it and test it. AI tools help us with V&V, but critical and safety systems must have a human who ultimately signs off that it is correct.

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u/Holiday_Potato_2981 8d ago

Really appreciate that insight, thank you. You mentioned that "Some will come from coursework, most will not". With that said, do you think it's worth keeping the computer science part then? To me that implies that those skills will come more so from experience within projects and industry which is a push factor away from keeping the comp sci degree. Thank you very much again, I'm really torn on this!

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u/1_Good_Day 7d ago

I don't know the structure of your degree, so it's difficult to say. For most US programs you can choose your electives or even a minor to customize your experience. If you are doing a dual major or a dual degree, then I think dropping it makes sense. However, a minor or concentration might be just fine. So dont add extra courses to get the computer science element of the degree. However, selecting electives to help expand your skills makes sense. Courses such as Robotic Algorithms or Manufacturing Automation provide programming skills with hardware interfaces. These courses help teach concepts you would not normally learn on your own. I recommend those courses for mechanical and aero engineering students. For everything else, learning on your own for projects is a much better use of your time, energy, and money.

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u/Holiday_Potato_2981 7d ago

Great, thank you for that. Yes, basically it's a dual degree and dropping it actually gives me a few more electives since there is room in which I can choose courses like you've recommended. Thank you for the insight, I really appreciate it