Expert: David A. NewMyer - 8/8/2008

Question
I'm basically an IT guy having 2 years of experience, currently working for Emirates airlines. I'm interested in doing an aviation MBA, so that i can switch over to the business side.

Questions:

1. Which field do you think is the best an IT guy should pursue so that he can reach the top level?
*Airport Management
*Airlines Management
*Manufacturing side
*Consulting

2. Is it possible to shift the fields after a few years... Eg: Working in Airlines Management for 10 years and then shifting to the Manufacturing side?

3. Since i'm not having an aerospace undergraduate degree, will that affect my career in the long run?

4. Please advise whether i need to pursue some kind of a technical degree  to improve my career prospects.

5. What would be my entry level position in an organisation if i complete an Aviation MBA?  

Answer
Hi,

Thank you for your questions, I will try to assist.

Having an IT background can be helpful in any field, depending on the applications you are familiar with and your flexibility in the IT field.  If you are ALREADY working for an airline, it would seem to me that working in the Airline Management field would be the best place for you after obtaining an Aviation MBA.  The only exception to this would be if you are aware of something that would prevent you from moving up at Emirates or some other airline.

As far as shifting to the manufacturing side after ten years of working with airlines, I think it would depend on if you were working on something at the airline that was extremely transferable to the manufacturing side (such as distinct marketing information or working on the technical support of aircraft, etc).  From my perspective, there are advantages to some manufacturers hiring airline type individuals, but, whether they do it very often I am not sure.

Not having an aerospace or aviation undergraduate degree will not be a disadvantage, especially if you are thinking of pursuing an aviation MBA.  Having an Aviation MBA will show people in aviation that you are interested in knowing more about the aviation discipline...and, to show them, you have this degree.

As far as a technical degree....I am not sure that you need any more of that.  I am assuming that your IT background includes an IT-related degree.  If so, you HAVE a technical background and do not need more.

I would not think that you would necessarily have to pursue an entry-level position if you already have two years of experience in the airline industry IF you stay in the airline industry.  I would think that you would have a lot to offer the marketing and sales department of any airline if you have an Aviation MBA combined with an IT background with an airline.  You should be able to manage the IT applications for the marketing department to help them manage their inside or outside sales functions.

Schools offering the Aviation MBA on line are Daniel Webster College, Nashua, New Hampshire, USA and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida, USA....

Best wishes to you,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale