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First, some facts. Of the Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 12 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 86%, Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo have a much higher likelihood (+19%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 41% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2023 from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Applied Science - BASc in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONGNC Engineer Rocket Lab Nov 2023 - Present ABOUTCal Poly San Luis Obispo 2023Aerospace engineering studentNASA pathways, dynamics and control co-op at Armstrong Flight Research Center |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
After checking out all these LinkedIn profiles of graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo who studied Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical Engineering, it looks like many of them have landed roles that are closely tied to their degree. Common job titles include Test Engineer, Aerospace Engineer, and various engineering positions at big players like Lockheed Martin and NASA. A lot of these roles involve applying the technical skills and knowledge they picked up during their studies, which is pretty awesome. Almost all their jobs are relevant to the field, especially those focused on aerospace applications and technologies.
However, not every job is a perfect fit. For example, some graduates have taken on roles like Instructor at a gym or positions in military logistics, which mainly utilize general leadership or organizational skills rather than specific aerospace knowledge. Overall, it’s clear that while many graduates are doing exactly what you’d expect with their degrees, there are also a few who veer off the path into unrelated jobs. But hey, that's pretty normal in any field, especially since skills like teamwork and project management are transferable in various industries. Overall, it seems like a solid degree that opens up plenty of doors, especially in the aerospace sector!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering graduates (this is across all Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo):
When looking at the career trajectories of graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo who studied Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical Engineering, it’s clear that many of them are landing solid roles in the aerospace industry fairly soon after graduation. For instance, several individuals took on positions as engineers or technical staff at prominent companies like Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and NASA right after graduation. This indicates that graduates tend to kick off their careers in engineering roles that are directly related to their field of study, often starting with internships that turn into full-time positions. For example, the 2019 grad who began as an intern at Northrop Grumman ended up as a Principal Aeronautical Engineer within just a couple of years.
Fast forward five to ten years, and many alumni appear to have moved up the ranks quite successfully. It's common to see former graduates evolve into management positions or specialized roles within the aerospace sector, like engineering managers or operations managers. Some individuals have stayed with the same companies for years, climbing the corporate ladder while others have made notable career shifts within the industry. There are also a few who took paths less typical for aerospace engineers, like one graduate who became a Lead Instructor at a gym, but overall, the majority seem to stay firmly grounded in relevant careers. So for high school students interested in this field, it looks like a degree from Cal Poly can really set you up for a strong start and a fruitful career in aerospace engineering!
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical, or Astronautical Engineering is definitely on the tougher side of the spectrum, and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is no exception! The coursework can be super challenging, heavy on math, physics, and engineering principles. Expect a lot of problem sets, lab work, and design projects that really push your creativity and technical skills. Plus, Cal Poly is known for its "learn by doing" philosophy, which means you’ll be juggling lots of hands-on projects along with your lectures. So, if you’re strong in STEM and ready to put in the work, you’ll find it rewarding, but it’s definitely not a walk in the park!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering.
Looking at these graduates from Cal Poly SLO, it seems like they've landed pretty solid jobs in the aerospace and engineering world, which typically offer some decent pay. The ones who graduated in earlier years, like 2011 and 2013, seem to have built a nice career ladder, moving up from engineering roles to management positions, which usually come with higher salaries. Recent grads, like those from 2019 onward, are getting good starts in reputable companies like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, which also indicates a strong earning potential. While I can't give you specific salary figures, the trends show that being in aerospace and aeronautical engineering can definitely lead to a nice paycheck as they continue to gain experience. Overall, it looks like they’re doing well and likely making decent money!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (this is across all Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (ordered by the average relevance score of their Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 Texas A&M University
|
87 | 22 |
 California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
|
86 | 12 |
 University of Cincinnati
|
86 | 10 |
 Purdue University
|
85 | 40 |
 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
|
85 | 17 |
 Georgia Institute of Technology
|
84 | 23 |
 Liberty University
|
81 | 21 |
 Iowa State University
|
80 | 16 |
 University of Colorado Boulder
|
80 | 13 |
 California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
|
79 | 13 |
 United States Naval Academy
|
77 | 12 |
 The Ohio State University
|
76 | 20 |
 University of Central Florida
|
75 | 25 |
 Arizona State University
|
74 | 12 |
 University of Michigan
|
74 | 10 |
 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
|
71 | 163 |
 Penn State University
|
68 | 12 |
 Florida Institute of Technology
|
67 | 20 |
 The University of Alabama in Huntsville
|
67 | 11 |
 Embry Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide
|
66 | 10 |
 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
|
48 | 10 |