Oh I agree helicopters on Mars are exciting.I'd argue the Webb telescope and landing on a comet hurling through space. Helicopters on Mars anyone?
But as part of my job, I work with lots of young engineers from very good engineering programs - and many of them have great potential --- what I don't see is the excitement for space programs, or engines or... a lot of the stuff we were excited about growing up. There is interest in AI, machine learning, all sorts of software related stuff (but NOT actual coding)
Just my perspective with 30 years in engineering and working with many recent grads over the years and seeing how they develop. Maybe if I was at an aviation related company I would have a different feeling but these are the younger engineers I am working with.