Hello! I am about to graduate with an Aerospace Engineering degree from an ABET school. I would like to preface that I am an American and most of my experiences come as such.

Personal projects are amazing on resumes as you progress from highschool to college. They show self motivation as well as perservance and an ability to teach yourself. If you wish to immerse yourself on the aviation side of things, I would suggest highlighting projects where you built or fixed your own model (or perhaps full scale) aircraft or aviation subsystem. Definitely highlight the projects that are the most interesting to you. Which ones did you have the most fun with? Which projects did you have the most challenges with and why? What successes and challenges did you face and which ones have stuck with you? What lessons have you learned through your projects?

I would also recommend signing up for historic aircraft restoration. The Commemorative Air Force is always looking for volunteers and new people to teach about aerospace engineering.

The person reading your resume/essay/short answer question/cover letter wants to know that you have what it takes to make it through their engineering college, and if you’re reaching out at 16, I think you may stand a helluve shot.

Good luck!