Entry-Level Positions for Project Managers at United Launch Alliance
Entry-level positions at United Launch Alliance, according to Joshua, a Project Manager, primarily favor STEM backgrounds, specifically "engineering," with aerospace or industrial engineering being ideal. However, Joshua emphasizes the value of undergraduate project experience, such as capstone projects, as "real job experience" that should be highlighted on resumes, even if it initially feels like "imposter syndrome," because this type of experience is highly valuable.
Engineering, STEM, Internships, Project Management, Lean Six Sigma
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Joshua Adams
Project Manager
United Launch Alliance
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
MBA - University of North Alabama
Industrial, Supply Chain Management
Aerospace, Aviation & Defense, Manufacturing, Operations & Supply Chain
Operations and Project Management
Worked 20+ Hours in School, Veteran
Video Highlights
1. Engineering is a common entry-level position in the aerospace and defense industry, encompassing various specializations such as industrial, aerospace, or physics engineering.
2. Internships and college projects, even capstone projects, are valuable experiences that should be highlighted on resumes, showcasing practical skills and knowledge gained.
3. Entry-level support roles often require prior experience, but relevant college coursework, such as Lean Six Sigma or project management related classes, can compensate for a lack of professional experience
Transcript
What entry-level positions in this field might an undergraduate college student consider?
Many entry-level positions I've found are primarily in technical fields. Engineering is probably the best way into the company as an entry-level employee. This applies to any type of engineering, such as industrial engineering with Lean Six Sigma, or aerospace engineering.
Even a background in physics can be beneficial. Having a technical background, especially in STEM, is a great way to enter the aerospace and defense industry right out of college with very little experience. Other support roles typically require some experience, which can be a challenge for recent graduates.
For those looking at the aerospace industry without a technical background, don't discount your college experience. Internships are easy to document, but the projects you completed in your classes are also valuable. Cal Poly, for example, is known for partnering with industry for many of its courses.
My capstone course involved running a full, black belt-style project for NTS, a private testing lab in Santa Clarita. I didn't realize it at the time, but I should have counted that as job experience because I was on a real job site doing real work. I was essentially paid to perform work worth a million dollars and deliver a 150-page report.
That experience was extremely valuable. You might experience imposter syndrome listing something like that on your resume, but remember that experience will help you. The lessons I learned working with private industry and my professors, even from my capstone and Lean Six Sigma courses in industrial technology, still play a role in how I do my job today. That's because it truly was job experience.