Aerospace Career Pathway

Kentucky’s aerospace industry is a powerful economic engine and one of the Commonwealth’s leading export sectors, connecting the state to global aerospace and defense markets. More than 100 aerospace-related facilities employ thousands of highly skilled professionals across engineering, manufacturing, communications, logistics, and advanced technology fields. As the aerospace sector continues to expand in Kentucky and across the nation, the need for a strong workforce pipeline is greater than ever. Morehead State University is uniquely positioned to help meet that need by providing students with a clear pathway from exploration and discovery to college preparation, degree attainment, and aerospace careers.

That journey begins with SpaceTrek: Space Systems Engineering Program for Young Women, a transformative program designed to inspire and prepare young women for futures in aerospace and related STEM fields. Through immersive space systems engineering experiences, hands-on projects, industry engagement, and mentorship, SpaceTrek serves as the launching point of the aerospace pathway. Participants gain the skills, confidence, and vision needed to see themselves not only as students of science and engineering but also as future leaders in an industry shaping the future of our nation.

For many students, the next step in that pathway is the Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics, Kentucky’s premier residential early-college program for high-achieving students. Located on the campus of Morehead State University, Craft Academy provides Kentucky students with the opportunity to earn college credit while pursuing advanced coursework, research experiences, and STEM enrichment. Together, SpaceTrek and Craft Academy provide a smooth progression that helps students deepen their academic preparation and strengthen their readiness for university-level aerospace education.

The pathway continues through Morehead State University’s Space Science Center and Space Systems Engineering programs, where students can pursue nationally recognized degrees and gain hands-on experience with real-world space missions and technologies. Through partnerships with industry leaders, government agencies, and aerospace employers, students are connected to internships, research opportunities, and career pathways that lead directly into the workforce. By bringing together SpaceTrek, Craft Academy, Morehead State University, and aerospace industry partners, Morehead has become a place where students can launch ambitious dreams and follow a proven pathway into the growing aerospace and defense industry.