Expert: David A. NewMyer - 10/20/2011

Question
Hi! I'm interested in pursuing a career in aviation, specifically becoming a pilot. However, I also would like to have a back-up plan available if I cannot find a pilot job/cannot have one at the moment due to any kind of restrictions (having young kids, health problems, etc.).

I would like to know what degrees I can pursue to get a job in the aviation industry other than flying jobs. I'm interested in working for an airline as a check-in counter agent, ticket reservation services, or working for a travel agency, or starting my own travel agency.

I plan to study abroad, in the US/Canada. I currently have 2 options, either I get into a full-time aviation management/aviation technology degree along with flight training (quite expensive, not suitable for my current financial situation), or do a couple of diplomas in Travel and Tourism, so I can get a job, and do some flight training in the mean time.

Will I be able to get a job at an airline as a check-in counter agent or ticket reservation services if I have a 2 - 3 year diploma in Travel and Tourism? Or would it be better if I did an Associates degree in T&T instead of a diploma?

What about aviation management/technology? What are the differences between the 2, and what are the advantages/disadvantages of both for my career choices I outlined above?

Would you recommend me to attend a community college in the States and get an Associates degree or Bachelor's degree before starting to study flying?

Am I allowed to attend flight school during the time I'll be attending a college/university program in the States? I'll be in the US on an F-1 visa, am I allowed to do this? Or will I have to do one at a time?

Also, I'm homeschooled, and I follow the UK curriculum. Will I be able to enter college in the US as soon as I finish my IGCSEs or will I have to wait and get my A Levels too?

Any other suggestions you have for me? Career options, degree programs, etc.?

Answer
Hi, Bouchra:

You have asked many questions.....I will try to answer the basic questions to get started with. You can follow up with me on additional questions via AllExperts.com

First of all, the question about being home-schooled raises the issue of transcripts not being avialble, and so forth.  You will need to contact each university, college or institution that you are interested in applying to about what they will need to have for verification of your studies to date.

Second, yes, you can go to flight school in the US---the easiest way to accomplish this is to apply to a college or university aviation program that has a flight school.  The university works through their respective international student office on all visa issues and the attached flight school at he university is charged by the Transportation Security Administration and the FAA to request and retain certain security-related inforamaion on each student.

As far as having a back up for flight, that is a good idea, especially if you have any hint of having any sort of medical issue.  Aviation Management is a great degree option that allows you, upon completion, to go to work in such fields as airport management, airport management, general aviation operatoins management and so forth.  Aviation Technologies is the career field where you learn to become an aviation technician (to work on aircraft and on aircraft engines).

There is an excellent list of aviation-oriented programs at universities and colleges called THE COLLEGIATE AVIATION GUIDE avialable from the University Aviation Association website at www.uaa.aero

I hope that this answer has been helpful.  If you need more information, please contact me via Allexperts.com with a follow-on question.

Best wishes,

David A. NewMyer