Expert: David A. NewMyer - 1/12/2011

Question
Hello Sir,
I have a question in regards to Aviation Management. You see, I currently have a B.S. in Marketing but I would like to get into the aviation industry. I have been fascinated with aviation my whole life but I decided to go with a business background to get a good grasp on business. But now I would like to pursue my passion with aviation. Do you think its possible? Or should I go back to school?
I have been thinking about an internship seems as though I really don't have much experience with aviation, other than some college courses that I have taken for my own knowledge, and for the most part not many employers would hire me without some experience in aviation... or am I wrong?  Most airlines offer internships to those who are currently in school, no exceptions. But I have already graduated. So what would you recommend for those who are trying to get their foot in the door in aviation after getting their degree already? I go online pretty much everyday and try to find jobs which I believe I would be qualified for but there aren't many to choose from. What would you recommend I do to get my career going?

Answer
Hi, Malinda:

Thank you for your question.  I will try to assist!

First of all, you need to do a bit of research on what segment of the Aviation/Aerospace Industry interests you the most....there are four key segments in the civil aviation industry in the USA:

Aviation & Aerospace Manufacturing (Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Textron, etc)

Airlines (passenger and cargo)

General Aviation (all flying and aviation business other than that done by the airlines and the military--includes corporate flight departments, charter companies, aviation maintenance companies, fixed base operations/aviation service companies, etc)

Government Aviation (Federal, State and local including the Federal Aviation Administration, the Transportation Security Administration, state aviation agencies and all local government owned airports--Chicago O'Hare, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, Los Angeles International, Denver International, Dallas Ft. Worth International, etc).

Depending on which of the above segment or segments you choose, you might want more education at the baccalaureate level or you might want it at the masters level.

I would agree that there are not too many aviation employers that will hire you without some sort of aviation background---either a degree or work experience (internship)--preferably, both.  Right now, they can be very choosy because the economy is so tight and there are few jobs..... and I am sure that they will be choosy for now.  This will change in the next two years or so, as the economy slowly recovers from its doldrums of 2008-2010.  You need to be ready for the aviation job market by not later than 2012.  So, you do have some time to get a second degree in Aviation Management, if you decide that is what you want to do.  

If you DO go for a B. S. in Aviation Management, do so at a university where you will be able to make maximum use of your existing degree in obtaining your next degree.  In other words, make sure that you select a school that both has a good reputation in aviation AND gives you a good deal on your transfer credit.  Another consideration for selecting a school would be to make sure that the school you finally pick has a good aviation internship program and has a good overall aviation job placement program.  In other words, do they routinely post job possibilities on their website and do they have an aviation career fair?  Do the faculty have good aviation industry connections?  In other words, you certainly want to pick a school that offers an Aviation Management degree, but, in addition to that, you want a school that can help you on the internship and employment side of things.

Another thing in your favor is your marketing degree--you can capitalize on that degree in looking for a job, particularly with an airline or with an airport.  Airlines have sales and marketing positions available, for example, and larger airports also have marketing positions (as well as marketing-related positions in things like land development or industrial development of on-airport properties).

Another thing in favor of the B. S. in Aviation Management has to do with your career plans....if you intend to work within the airport management/operations/marketing side of the business, you will need to check out the American Association of Airport Executives or AAAE.  They have Academic Memberships for students for only $40 a year....and they issue a twice weekly email newsletter to members that features job listings including internships.  They also have a four page listing of internships that they will send to Academic Members once you join.  And, later on, the AAAE has an Accreditation Program for Airport Managers.  It starts with a Certified Member program that you can do as you finish your AVM degree....the full blown AAE or Accredited Airport Manager is available for you once you have your BS in Aviation Management or related field and two years of work experience directly in airports.  So, the AVM degree is important for that credential.

A final thought is for you to consider a graduate degree in aviation at some point.  I believe that, in order to remain competitive over the full length of a 30 year career in airports, you will need to have a graduate degree.  There are at least 15 universities out there that offer some sort of non-engineering graduate degree in aviation.

I hope that this answer is of assistance to you.  If you need anything further, do not hesitate to ask another question via AllExperts.com

Best wishes to you,

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