Expert: David A. NewMyer - 8/5/2009

Question
Mr NewMyer,

I am a recent college grad with a BS in Environmental Science. I am in the process of obtaining my private pilot license. I quickly realized sitting behind a desk all day is not the life I want and I love flying, but I don't want to completely forget about my degree.

I have tried researching careers that involve flying and working with the environment, but I came up with nothing. Do you know if such careers exist? Where can I find out more information?

Thank you in advance!
-Kristina

Answer
Hi, Kristina:

That is a very interesting question.

Yes, there are certainly some careers that involve the environment and aviation....not always flying, but, I think that, if you are creative in your thinking, you can combine the two.

Where I would look first is at government agencies involved in aviation such as state aviation agencies/departments/commissions (every state has one).  I would particularly look at states that have lots of space/ground to cover such as Texas or Alaska or Montana or Colorado, etc.  Each of those state aviation agencies gets involved in such things as airport inspections, airport planning (including environmental planning for airports) and related subjects.  The larger the state, the more likely it is that aviation agency employees will use aircraft as a routine part of their job.  So, that is how you combine the two:  Find an employer that uses aircraft in carrying out its daily mission, including a mission that involves the environment in some way, (and, of course, if you can find an aviation employer that does that, you are in the best of both worlds).

A way to research state agencies involved in aviation is through a group called the National Association of State Aviation Officials or NASAO.  They have a directory of state aviation agencies that is either on their website or that you can purchase via their website.

Another place I would look for the combination of aviation and environmental work is to look at aviation planning companies that are involved environmental planning for airports.  Some of those companies also have aircraft and might allow you to fly those aircraft to work at certain airport clients.  Or, alternatively, they might pay you to fly your own aircraft to visit these clients.  Again, you will have to do some research of such companies and, again, you will want to find companies that work in more spacious states as noted above (where it is more likely one would fly to a client to cover the distances more expediently and efficiently).

You can research airport consultants via the Airport Consultant Council at www.acconline.org

Finally, there are also jobs at the Federal Aviation Administration that combine environmental studies and aviation....not sure about the flying part, however.  Even though FAA is supposed to promote aviation, few of their employees fly on the job unless they are hired as pilots.
Anyway, you might research the FAA website at www.faa.gov to see about community planner jobs, environmental planner jobs and the like.  I would select a job, again, in an area of the country that is interesting to you from an environmental perspective.

Related to all of the above, it might be that these jobs will push you in the direction of obtaining a master's degree.  If so, you might try to find one that has some aviation content to it to assist you in your combined job search (environmental studies at the undergrad level and then aviation at the graduate level).  And, if you attend an aviation-oriented school, you can also, perhaps, further your flight credentials while you are at it.

I hope that this answer helps.  Best wishes to you,

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