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Assessment Title

Aerospace Engineering

Programme Title:

International Logistics Management

Course No.:

GSP 5203

Course Title:

Market Yourself

Student Name:

Mahmood Baqer

Student ID:

201100594

Tutor:
Due Date:

Date submitted:

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This assignment is my own work

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Introduction
My interest in airplanes started when I was just a child. I wanted to know how the planes
flew and what it took to construct an airplane. Being an aerospace engineer is much more than
building planes, this branch of engineering is concerned with boats and space ships as well. This
branch brings much more opportunities across a variety of industries as it covers all branches of
engineering. Its a hands-on experience.

Research

Interview:I conducted an interview with Mohammed Habib Mohammed, an aircraft engineer

working at Gulf Air. He has studied Aerospace Engineering at the Gulf Aviation Academy (GAA), a
well reputed aviation university in Bahrain. I met with him on October 28th, 2014 at Costa Coffee
Diplomat Area. He was very insightful as to what he does on a day to day basis and what it took
for him to attain the positon he is in now.
Mr. Mohammed learnt from his father how to repair Jet Ski engines and car engines. He then
became interested in the working of an airplane. Why aerospace engineering was the best choice
is because he wanted to be engaged in active, physical work rather than sitting all day behind a
computer. This field also provided non-routine work and the use of power tools. Below are the
questions asked in the interview along with the answers received:-

Q1. What are some of the tools you use in your work?
Tools Box, Safety shoes, Safety helmet, Reflective jacket, Gloves.

Q2. What's one of your favorite parts of working with said aircraft/spacecraft?
You feel that your job is important, and you make sure that everybody on the plane will
travel safely.

Q3. Is there any part of the job that you don't like, or like the least?
The noise of aircrafts, it gets really loud in the airfield and temperature, I sometimes work
in humid conditions.

Q4. What advice do you have for anyone who wants to become an engineer?
Study very well and concentrate on the subjects you are given because you will need
everything you learn to do your job, and this is unlike any other job, you are handling thousands of
lives every day.

Q5. What kind of education, training, or other preparation do you need to get into your career?
You need a basic understanding of IT, Mechanical engineering, instrument and electronic
engineering to be able to understand the material given to you in Aviation engineering college.
Proficiency in English is highly important as reports will be made in English.

Q6. What are your main tasks or responsibilities at work?

It is my responsibility to make accurate and truthful reports as it involves the welfare of
civilians using Gulf Air jets and planes for travel. My tasks include repairing parts, joining meetings
and test and supervise aircrafts. However, there are different departments and many other tasks
an aerospace engineering can do.

Q7. What personal characteristics are required for someone to be successful in your career?
You have to have interest in mechanics and the curiosity of how things work or operate.
Applicants must be physically fit and have good hearing and vision. Their attention to detail is also
important.

Q8. What is a day in the life of an aircraft engineer like?

I arrive at 7.30 AM in Gulf Air and have my morning coffee while chatting with my
colleagues. Then we get to work at 8 AM. My mornings are checking my emails and going to the
laboratory to check on updates. I speak to my colleagues in different departments. We regularly
have meetings with managers to tackle certain issues or discuss future plans. I have my break for
lunch at 1 to 2 PM. The rest of the day, I work on modifying or repairing components and even
building. Also one-third of the time is dedicated to field work.

Q9. How much time do you spend on project work daily?

I would say that almost 90% is about completing technical projects and the rest is on
completing reports.

Independent Research:Being an aerospace engineer requires attentiveness to detail and precise hand-eye

coordination. They are also known as aircraft mechanics or aircraft engineers. Their main job is the
maintenance of airplanes, airliners and helicopters. They are also in charge of examining
malfunctioning parts and undertake the repairing of mechanical parts. Other specializations
include structural design and navigation. Duties of an aircraft engineer include inspection of the
aircraft, handling test equipment to look for defects and finally replace defective parts. These
actions are registered in the engineers record book. (Portal, 2014) (JobGuide, 2014) Tasks of an
aircraft engineer are:
1. Test aircraft communication systems and instruments
2. Conduct pre-flight aircraft inspections
Aerospace engineers are not limited to the walls of the laboratory, but also may travel to
airfields and maintenance workshops to fulfill job requirements.

Educational achievements and work experience enhance the graduates chances of

securing a job. In a tight job market, there is fierce competition between graduates to get hired.
Some jobs require higher education and other jobs require high level of work experience that a
degree does not show. With work experience, employer-preferred skills such as teamwork and
time management are acquired. These skills are not displayed on the grade point average, but in
real-life work situations. George D. Kuh (The Chronicle of Higher Education) states Working
during college helps students see firsthand the practical value of their classroom learning by
applying it in real life settings - which additionally, often helps to clarify their career aspirations.
Work experiences aid educational achievement. A candidate can sell themselves through their
accomplishments. (Mueller, 2011)

At the same time, having a graduate degree reduces the rate of unemployment. Most
companies seek candidates who have a bachelors degree for certain jobs such as engineering,
banking and accounting. Work placements and course projects are provided in universities for the
development of the students skills. (Locsin, 2014)

Analysis
From the information acquired in the interview and my own research, there was not much
difference between what Mr. Mohammed conveyed and what I searched online. There is much
more to aerospace engineering than what is found online, and Mr. Mohammed elaborated this in
the interview. Researching about aerospace engineering and interviewing an aerospace engineer
can differ in a few points only, these are the personal feelings of a candidate who went through all
the requirements of the job, and worked in the field, making him the only person who can explain
the experience of working as an aerospace engineer. Furthermore, the barriers and difficulties
facing each candidate might be different, therefore, asking a person who works in the field gave
me more knowledge about what I might face during my journey, for example, the feeling of the
importance of your job and that your job is to make sure that every passenger on the plane is safe,
from aircraft errors perspective, until they reach their destination.
In the interview, we found that the job requires some personal characteristics which can
help the candidate to better understand the job, while searching online did not clarify this point.
Mr. Mohammed mentioned that there are many tasks an aerospace engineering can do at work,
and that there are dedicated departments to certain tasks, while searching online, brought us the
broad idea of all the tasks an aerospace engineering does, when in fact not all aerospace
engineers do the same tasks.
This shows that an aerospace engineer must be applicable to change and do different
tasks, to be highly concentrated on his tasks and work in teams.

To get a proper insight when choosing a career path, it is better to speak to those working
in the area that interests an individual.

Conclusion
In conclusion, personally, I am really interested in mechanics, troubleshooting, fixing and
maintenance, I believe that I have the required characteristics for this job. My educational
qualifications are not directly relevant to aerospace engineering, studying as an International
Logistics Management, we have certain subjects related to engineering and maintenance, and I
have the possibility to work in the airport, which will give me a chance to experience how
aerospace engineers perform on sight. I can also meet and interview more engineers, observe
their tasks and projects, which will help me in my studies in Gulf Aviation Academy in the future. I
need to find part time jobs as a technician, who help aerospace engineers by providing them with
the right tools or helping them in their maintenances or repairing tasks, by doing simple tasks, like
holding the light, tightening a nut or similar easy tasks which are assigned to by the engineer.

References
JobGuide. (2014, November 5). Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. Retrieved from Australian Government,
Department of Education: http://www.jobguide.thegoodguides.com.au/occupation/AircraftMaintenance-Engineer
Locsin, A. (2014, November 5). Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Job Description. Retrieved from Chron:
http://work.chron.com/aircraft-maintenance-engineer-job-description-12220.html
Mueller, A. (2011, May 17). Work Experience Vs. Education: Which Lands You The Best Job? Retrieved from
Investopedia: http://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0511/work-experience-vs.-educationwhich-lands-you-the-best-job.aspx
Portal, E. (2014, November 4). Aircraft Engineer: Employment Info and Career Requirements. Retrieved
from Education Portal: http://educationportal.com/articles/Aircraft_Engineer_Employment_Information_and_Requirements_for_Starting_
a_Career_in_Aircraft_Engineering.html