Expert: David A. NewMyer - 6/1/2011

Question
I have just received my first Tower rating (ATCT NOT CTO (yet)). I graduated The Army Aviation Air Traffic Control school, and plan on getting my BA in Professional Aeronautics. I have four years left on my contract, and then wish to go FAA. What is the best (or better) degree to get, other than Professional Aeronautics? And, with a military background in ATC, is there a higher paying job to possibly pursue than ATC? Thank you.

Answer
Hi, Terry:

Thanks for your question, I will try to assist.

First of all, if you are headed to the FAA after the Army, just watch the age limits on hiring at the FAA so that you do not exceed any limits when you hit the civilian job market.

Second, as far as a degree or degree title, the Professional Aeronautics degree is one that Embry Riddle Aeronautical University has offered on military bases and other off campus locations for decades.  It is one that most in the industry know and accept.  Part of the issue for you will be whether or not there are any other good options on the particular base where you will be based with the Army.  My view is that, if you are doing the Professional Aero degree on a face to face basis, that will likely be a better degree for you than almost any on line degree that is available in aviation.

Third, another way to look at your degree choice has to do with what you WANT to do in aviation, whether it is in the Air Traffic Control field or some other aspect of aviation.  This gets to your question of what other jobs are there other than ATC?

Well, right now, the US civil aviation job market consists of:

Aerospace/Aviation Manufacturing:    About 620,000 jobs

Airlines (Major, National, Regional)  About 610,000 jobs

General Aviation:   About 630,000 jobs

Government Aviation:  (FAA, TSA, states, local airports):  About 175,000 jobs

TOTAL;   Just over 2.0 million jobs

So, the question is:  What segment of the aviation industry are YOU interested in working in?  Each one might take a little bit different preparation or approach.  For example, to work in airlines, you might want more of a business and/or MBA approach.  For government aviation jobs, you might want a more aviation management and/or MPA (master of public administration) approach.

One field that I think relates pretty well to a background in ATC is Airport Operations and Management.  That field requires a B. S. degree and the best degree to fit that field is a B. S. in Aviation Management or a B. S. in Aviation or Aeronautical Administration.

But, the key is inside you:  What do you want to do?  What aspects of aviation do you enjoy the most?  I think it is great if someone can find something that they like to do and then do it as a career....usually, the money follows a decision to go with what you like to do.

I hope that this helps!

Best wishes,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinos University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu