Expert: D. Norkus - 2/15/2009

Question
Hello

I am current first year student at OSU planning to obtain a degree in Aviation, my question is what may I expect after I graduate, What happens next? What are my options?

Also, in the Aviation industry regarding pilot careers, do airlines prefer candidates with arts or engineering backround?

And for my last question, does it help to have a minor (such as economics, business, etc.)?

Answer
Lothario
"what may I expect after I graduate, What happens next? What are my options?"

A pretty broad question! In reality, your guess is as good as mine or anyone elses. If you are planning on becoming an airline pilot after graduation, you still have 3 more years for the current employment climate to change.  One thing you must expect, the airline industry is always changing. If the economy takes a turn for the worst, you may become unemployed. The possibility of going through a period of unemployment during your career is just a risk that comes with the occupation.

If you were graduating this year, you would be in a bad position looking for a position as I am sure you know the job market is abysmal. What will it be in 3 years time? We can't predict. Look at 2000, a record year for airline hiring. A year later the industry was in shambles and even in 2009 some pilots are still on furlough post 9/11. Who would have known? Personally, I was a new hire in 2001 and less than 4 months after being hired I was furloughed for over 2 years. I certainly didn't expect it but knew it could. You need to be prepared for the same. If you intend to be a pilot, you will simply have to ride it out after graduation and fly as an instructor, banner tow or skydive pilot until you get the hours required to apply. What the airlines will require then will probably change from what it is now. It may be a year after you graduate, it could be a lot more. In the late 90's applicants to the regional airlines needed 2,500+ hours to get an interview. In 2001 it was 1,000 hours. In 2007 it was as low as 200 hours if you went to a specific program. Now, it is back to the high minimum requirements/"mins" not seen in over a decade as very few companies are hiring and many are furloughing. The few positions that are currently being filled in 2009, the vast majority of the pilots had previous airline experience as there are so many over qualified applicants looking for work.


"do airlines prefer candidates with arts or engineering background?
... does it help to have a minor (such as economics, business, etc.)?"

Regarding arts versus engineering, the airlines really don't care what your degree is in, they just want applicants to have one. The subject is irrelevant. An aviation degree is just as good as a communications, English or history degree. It implies the ability to apply oneself, study and critical thinking skills. Major in what interests you. A minor (or even a major) in something non-aviation related is very useful because if you ever find yourself furloughed or unemployed as a pilot you will then have something to fall back on (in 2009 there are literally thousands of pilots out of work).

Here is a useful link for more general FAQs and lots of career related sites for reference: http://www.pilotcareer.info

Hope this helps,
Dottie