Expert: David A. NewMyer - 7/29/2009

Question
Hi Again Mr. Newmeyer,

   I should have asked as a follow up to a previous question but here goes:

   Recently, you listed several college programs that offer master's programs in aviation.  What path, outside of obtaining my advanced ratings and certificates, carries the most weight?  In other words, if I don't end up flying but I would still like to work in "aviation"  (which i realize is a broad spectrum) what makes the most sense to study in grad school given that I am not entirely sure what I want to do?

Just as additional food for thought... I don't think I'd ever be happy just sitting behind a desk on conference calls all day.  I fly because you are always doing/learning.  I would want to interact with people, possibly use my hands or at the very least be outside.  If not outside, travelling.  I work in a cubicle environment now.  I'm like a fish out of water.

Answer
Hi,

Another good question....

Remember, when you are talking about the aviation industry in general, there are four broad segments of aviation:

Aviation/aerospace manufacturing:  Employs about 650,000 people

Airlines (major, national, regional, all cargo, etc):  Employs about 625,000, and, for now shrinking a bit

General Aviation (Corporate/business aviation, FBO/s and/or airport services, MRO's and repair stations, flight instruction, etc:  Employs something over 600,000 people

Government Aviation (federal, state and local):  Includes the FAA, TSA, most airports and all 50 states have a state aviation agency:  Employs about 180,000 people

So, as far as recommending a "best path" one first has to have an idea about what direction you might want to go in....As far as full-time flight jobs, it is estimated that there are around 225,000 to 250,000.  There are additional jobs that include flying along with other things related to aviation, such as working for a state aviation agency as an airport inspector.  I thought of this type of job because of what you said about being outside  and traveling.  Certainly, a state airport inspector in a large state such as Alaska, Texas, Illinois, Florida and others....they travel a lot and they are involved in aviation.  But, there are lots of jobs (many I do not know about) that encapsulate aviation in general along with some flying.....I would check the AOPA website for more such ideas.  Also, check into some of the aviation employment websites such as www.avjobs.com or www.aviationemployment.com and so forth.  Another thought is that you might want to work for an aviation association like AOPA or NATA or GAMA or AAAE or some other agency where they might value the fact that you have pilot certification and want to use an airplane to conduct some of your business (go to a place to work that values aviation as a way to conduct business!).

Another way to look at it is that certain aspects or segments of the aviation industry VALUE a graduate degree (such as government agencies involved in aviation,including airports, and aviation/aerospace manufacturers).  Coincidentally, both of those segments pay pretty well, too.  So, if I were you, I would go digging around on websites that relate to those areas (like the Boeing website, the Lockheed-Martin website as well as the FAA website, the TSA website and websites of state aviation agencies of some of the larger states and also of some of the larger airports in states where you might want to work).

I hope that some of these ideas are of help to you.

Sincerely,

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