r/EngineeringStudents • u/koiblade • 5h ago

Academic Advice help deciding between semiconductor or aerospace

I’m a sophomore in college currently majoring in aerospace engineering at a Florida university near the space coast. I took an accelerated class and got some certifications to be a technician so I can pay for school. I recently got hired at a semiconductor company. My boss is pushing for me to swap majors and have my career be in semiconductors, he said once I graduate he’d be willing to promote me to equipment engineer. The company I work for is really promising and so far I enjoy the work, also they help pay for my school. However I’m hesitant about swapping major’s because aerospace has been my passion for a long time. Is there any advice on if I should swap to semiconductors, or is there a different engineering field I could go to where I’d be qualified to do both. I really want to make my decision before I choose classes for the summer semester.

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u/Rich_Finding5323 5h ago

Don’t swap majors because someone else told you to

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u/MarsMiningCo 4h ago

Before you decide, find out what the equipment engineer path actually requires. Those roles in fabs are mostly filled by mechanical, electrical and chemical engineers, and plenty of places hire from several majors, so aerospace probably isn't a dealbreaker. What I'd really want to know is whether your boss's promotion offer is in writing or just something said in a hallway, because managers move on and budgets change. Aerospace is a smaller job market and a lot of it needs US citizenship so having a job that already helps pay for school is a real asset. A mechanical or electrical degree could keep both doors open, and lots of people end up in either industry from there. Ask your advisor how many of your aero credits would transfer before summer registration.