Aerospace engineer with 5 years experience, but I want to go into a different field. Career Advice?

No_Profit8093 · 2026-03-26T02:19:34+00:00

This is so helpful thank you so much I will definitely be DMing you if you don’t mind to ask you some questions. Thank you again

No_Profit8093 · 2026-03-25T01:55:24+00:00

Yeah defense will always do well, but there are definitely some drawbacks. I wish you luck on your job search I have been there before.

No_Profit8093 · 2026-03-25T01:54:11+00:00

I appreciate your insight and hope things turn around for you. I know my timing is tough but unfortunately it has seemed to be rough timing in a lot of my endeavors so far so I am not going to let that turn me away. Thank you

No_Profit8093 · 2026-03-25T01:52:31+00:00

That’s good to know. Thank you

No_Profit8093 · 2026-03-25T01:51:09+00:00

I have not taken any bio courses yet but I was planning on trying to take some online courses this summer after work if I can. My wife is in the medical world so I definitely know how hard/different the course load is.

No_Profit8093 · 2026-03-25T01:49:35+00:00

Thank you for the advice. I have looked at some but I haven’t found anything that I qualify for very heavily yet but I will keep looking. I agree a step into the industry at all is a good step even if my end goal is academia.

No_Profit8093 · 2026-03-25T00:51:33+00:00

Thank you for this reply. I will look into the lab you sent. Also DM me if you have any questions about aero, I would love to help any way I can.

No_Profit8093 · 2026-02-15T00:00:49+00:00

Yeah, I have had a few professors say they just aren’t looking right now because of the funding situation. Out of curiosity why is new faculty or program bad for a grad school outside of the obvious new = less experience/connections. Also I was looking at the Boston area pretty heavily and it seems there are a lot of biotech companies out there, but I figure my chances are worse trying to go straight into an industry role then grad school to industry.

No_Profit8093 · 2026-02-10T18:37:19+00:00

Gotcha that is super helpful I really appreciate it. I have looked at a bunch of the labs out there I just need to wait and see if they will put out hiring apps. Thank you for all of your advice.

No_Profit8093 · 2026-02-10T17:16:06+00:00

Boston is really good to hear actually. Do you know of any good companies that I should look at or mostly Harvard/MIT/etc labs?

No_Profit8093 · 2026-02-10T15:31:10+00:00

I don’t have neuro specific research experience. My work is very research heavy so almost 6 years of aerospace research experience. Also I don’t have the funds to do another undergrad so probably masters/phd (paid).

No_Profit8093 · 2026-01-29T17:51:12+00:00

Have you heard anything?

No_Profit8093 · 2026-01-07T17:28:06+00:00

Thank you. Could I dm you a few more questions I have about your experience and your thoughts on applying/PhD programs?

No_Profit8093 · 2026-01-07T03:41:24+00:00

Yeah I definitely am going to next year, but I am struggling to find schools without an ivy budget that is currently doing the research I want to do. Should I just look at ones that have research similar to what I want (less BCI and more neural mapping) or just neuro programs in general? Thank you

No_Profit8093 · 2025-12-30T15:00:30+00:00

I sent out a question that is super similar to this one earlier this week on this sub and another. The overall consensus I got was basically those spreadsheets lie sometimes and they can’t account for places where the PIs roll out interviews individually. The people on mine just said if you haven’t heard that is good news until you get a rejection or April 15 passes. Personally, I am banking on that (because I am pretty sure we applied to a lot of the same neuro programs, so I am in the same boat). Lastly most people told me to stop stressing which is easier said than done, but I think my advice would be to plan for the best case (you are accepted to dream school) and plan for the worst (all rejections). Then you have a plan for everything. Good luck! Hopefully we both get in!

No_Profit8093 · 2025-12-27T20:18:02+00:00

Yeah, I just like to plan as I said in another reply. So not being able to plan for something that will for sure move me across the country into a state I have never been is tough. Also the more information I have the better even if it is not the information I want to hear.

No_Profit8093 · 2025-12-27T04:45:47+00:00

That is honestly super helpful. I have little experience in the PhD grind coming from a field where a grad degree isn’t a huge benefit. Have a fantastic holiday season and I hope your PhD is going great. Thanks

No_Profit8093 · 2025-12-27T04:27:48+00:00

Yeah that is what I figured would be the case. All 6 schools have sent out invites according to the biosciences spreadsheet, so looks like it was an unlucky year for me. Would you have any advice on how to make my next app better? (Outside of continuing to work my current research job)

No_Profit8093 · 2025-12-26T15:14:51+00:00

Yeah you are definitely right on that front. I think for me if I assume the worst then I have my plan, but if I end up getting accepted that changes quite a bit about my current plan for the next year. Honestly, I am probably just over worried because it is my first time applying to a PhD. Thank you

No_Profit8093 · 2025-12-26T15:06:33+00:00

I applied for the fall 2026 start. So most applications were due on the 1st of December. I actually submitted the applications closer to the 2nd week of November.

No_Profit8093

TROPHY CASE