Abstract. As aerospace engineering students prepare to enter the workforce, there are many things that they should know about “the real world” that are not found in textbooks or taught in class.  Dr. George Davis, University of Texas ASE/EM Class of 87/90/96 and Founder/CEO of Emergent Space Technologies, Inc.., will talk about his experience in the aerospace industry, as an engineer, manager, business developer, contractor, and , entrepreneur.  The objective is to inform students about their current and future roles in the changing aerospace industry.